(1) The board of trustees may, by a resolution adopted by 2/3 of its members, fix the number of members to constitute the board. However, the number of trustees constituting the board of trustees shall be at least 15 and not more than 54. Nine trustees constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board. At the first meeting of the board, the trustees shall divide themselves into 3 classes of 1/3 of the whole number of each as nearly as possible. The term of office of the first class shall terminate at the expiration of the first year; of the second class shall terminate at the end of the second year; and of the third class shall terminate at the end of the third year, so that 1/3 of the number of trustees are chosen by the board annually by ballot.

  (2) The board may elect any number of nonvoting honorary trustees. Honorary trustees are not included in the number of trustees constituting the board of trustees.