The Deer Park School Board voted to publicly censure board director Jerry (Gerald) F. Ashby, citing use of district letterhead, alleged violations of board policy and conduct the board said undermined its governance. The board also approved updated board operating protocols and three nondiscrimination/affirmative‑action policies in the same meeting.

A chair reading a prepared notice to staff and the public said the censure stems from conduct the board believes “is not in alignment with the values and ethical standards upheld by the school,” citing an incident on Jan. 13 in which the board said Ashby circulated a letter using district letterhead and a facilities strategic plan that the board asserted contained “inaccurate, incomplete” information. The chair said the board’s action was intended to reaffirm “the critical importance of transparency and trust between the school board and our stakeholders.”

Director Jerry Ashby spoke at length on the record and disputed aspects of the board’s account. Ashby said he had filed letters and public‑records requests to document concerns and described prior complaints and investigations he said he had initiated. Ashby said he was “not allowed” to read his full rebuttal earlier in the meeting and read portions of that rebuttal into the record during this session. The transcript records his remarks criticizing the board’s handling of minutes and alleging that some executive‑session actions were “unlawfully conducted,” language Ashby used while objecting to the censure.

Board members said the censure followed review of conduct that, according to the motion and supporting material read at the meeting, included repeated interruptions of staff, use of district resources for unauthorized communications and failure to complete required trainings. The board referenced several policies and rules in the prepared resolution and motion: policy citations read into the record included policy 18‑25, policy 14‑50, policy 12‑20, policy 18.2, policy 18‑10, policy 18‑20, policy 42‑01 and references to RCW requirements for training and conduct. The board also stated that an outside investigation (Cleareance[Clearance] Solutions) issued a report on Feb. 5 and that Ashby had previously received a formal warning on Dec. 9, 2024.

A motion to approve a formal censure resolution (recorded as Resolution No. 22024 on the meeting agenda) was moved and called for a vote. The record shows the motion passed; Director Ashby recorded his opposition during the roll call. The chair said the censure letter would be distributed to staff and the community.

The board then adopted updated board operating protocols that the board said had been drafted with an AWSD/AWZDA representative (described in the packet) and reviewed in a prior work session. Board members discussed how the protocols define communication with staff and the superintendent and affirmed annual review of the protocols. The motion to approve the protocols carried.

Finally, the board approved three policies on nondiscrimination and affirmative action (policy identifiers discussed on the record included 32‑10 for students and related staff policy language). The board president called for the first reading/approval as presented; the packet contained redlined edits and model language for complaint procedures and compliance officer identification.

Board members directed staff to publish the censure letter and to schedule continuing work on governance and facilities issues. The meeting record shows a motion to approve the consent agenda passed earlier in the meeting and that subsequent action items (protocols, policies and the censure resolution) were approved in votes called on the record.

Director Ashby said he would continue to communicate with constituents and that he had documentation he intended to share. The minutes and motions as recorded at the meeting will be the official record of the votes taken and the board directed staff to distribute the censure letter publicly.