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School Board Trustee Dave Ash was asked Tuesday to shut down his personal blog site where a story about a teacher reportedly coming to school drunk first surfaced.
Ash said the attorney recently hired by the Churchill County School District requested that DaveAsh.net be dismantled, citing legal concerns.
"She said people could infer it was the district speaking because I'm on the school board," said Ash. "I asked her to think about it overnight and be more specific about her rationale. I have never made any comment (on the site) that reflected the district's opinion or the board's opinion. It is just mine."
Ash was also reminded via an e-mail from the district office that Superintendent Carolyn Ross is the spokesperson for the district per the district's communication policy.
Ash said the attorney recently hired by the Churchill County School District requested that DaveAsh.net be dismantled, citing legal concerns.
"She said people could infer it was the district speaking because I'm on the school board," said Ash. "I asked her to think about it overnight and be more specific about her rationale. I have never made any comment (on the site) that reflected the district's opinion or the board's opinion. It is just mine."
Ash was also reminded via an e-mail from the district office that Superintendent Carolyn Ross is the spokesperson for the district per the district's communication policy.
A story appeared in the Lahontan Valley News Tuesday about a high school English teacher who allegedly showed up for class late and intoxicated one day last month. The incident was first posted on Ash's blog anonymously asking him to look into the matter.
Ross did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment on the story about the teacher, nor did she return phone calls Wednesday on the latest development. A secretary at the district office said Ross had been behind closed doors most of the day dealing with personnel matters or other district business.
Ash researched the report about the teacher and posted on his site that he had confirmed the story. Her name did not appear on the blog site or in the newspaper story.
"I have never allowed individual names unless the person was a public figure," he said. "Names of board members and administrators are allowed because we're fair game."
Sharla Hales, a Minden attorney, was hired April 26 to serve the school district's legal needs. She issued a prepared statement when asked about her advice to Ash.
Ross did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment on the story about the teacher, nor did she return phone calls Wednesday on the latest development. A secretary at the district office said Ross had been behind closed doors most of the day dealing with personnel matters or other district business.
Ash researched the report about the teacher and posted on his site that he had confirmed the story. Her name did not appear on the blog site or in the newspaper story.
"I have never allowed individual names unless the person was a public figure," he said. "Names of board members and administrators are allowed because we're fair game."
Sharla Hales, a Minden attorney, was hired April 26 to serve the school district's legal needs. She issued a prepared statement when asked about her advice to Ash.
"I decline to comment about advise (sic) that I initiated and that I have given the school district, but I would like to state that listening to constituents is one of this board's best strengths. The trustees are very open to thoughts and concerns of community members, and there are numerous avenues available for communicating with trustees, including: e-mails, letters, phone calls and comments at meetings. Board members' contact information is available on the district website (churchill.k12.nv.us) or by calling the district office (423-5184)," the statement reads.
The blog site has been operating for three years. It permits members of the community to discuss school district issues, ask questions and criticize actions taken by the school board or district. Everything from budget concerns to teacher salaries have been debated on the site.
The discussion about the intoxicated teacher was viewed 1,517 times after the first post appeared April 24 under the topic of "High School Cover-Up."
Ash's site is also where first reports appeared about former school board president Debbie Getto-Smith being investigated for embezzling almost $300,000 from a client through her bookkeeping business. That topic was viewed 1,629 times.
Getto-Smith was arrested last week on two counts of embezzlement from a person over the age of 60. She is accused of taking money from Ross Investment Co., for whom Smith did booking, since 1999.
The blog site has been operating for three years. It permits members of the community to discuss school district issues, ask questions and criticize actions taken by the school board or district. Everything from budget concerns to teacher salaries have been debated on the site.
The discussion about the intoxicated teacher was viewed 1,517 times after the first post appeared April 24 under the topic of "High School Cover-Up."
Ash's site is also where first reports appeared about former school board president Debbie Getto-Smith being investigated for embezzling almost $300,000 from a client through her bookkeeping business. That topic was viewed 1,629 times.
Getto-Smith was arrested last week on two counts of embezzlement from a person over the age of 60. She is accused of taking money from Ross Investment Co., for whom Smith did booking, since 1999.
Ash said he hopes the request to close down the blog site is not being made because information is being revealed that the district wants hushed up.
"At this stage, I'm going to believe legal counsel has the best interests of the school district in mind," Ash said.
He noted that Web blogs are widespread throughout the country, including newspaper sites and the American Bar Association site.
"It's not that I'm doing anything earthshaking or breaking new ground. Practically every student in our school district has a blog on My Space. I'm just mainstream," Ash said.
"At this stage, I'm going to believe legal counsel has the best interests of the school district in mind," Ash said.
He noted that Web blogs are widespread throughout the country, including newspaper sites and the American Bar Association site.
"It's not that I'm doing anything earthshaking or breaking new ground. Practically every student in our school district has a blog on My Space. I'm just mainstream," Ash said.
