A discord between the superintendent of the Española Public School District and the town's weekly newspaper, the Rio Grande Sun, is getting some attention from the community.

A policy implemented by Superintendent Evelyn Maruska -- and backed by some district employers -- demands two things of the Sun: To give Maruska written questions in advance when reporters request interviews, and to ask permission before entering a school campus.

The situation might change, though. This week the Sun reported that the Española School Board unanimously voted Tuesday against renewing her contract for next school year and immediately placed her on paid administrative leave.

Maruska's policy translates into prohibiting any district employee from speaking to the Sun without the superintendent's approval. Furthermore, students cannot be photographed by the newspaper at school events unless a parent-consent form has been signed, the Sun said.

Since early last November, the Sun stopped covering the district, leaving Rio Arriba County readers without information on
Española schools.

A Sun editorial voiced the newspaper's frustration: "No written policy, no thought put into it, just effective immediately. So effective immediately that the Sun will no longer publish sport pictures without parental-consent forms signed, honor roll names, students of the month, or classrooms in spotlight."

Lou Mattei, news editor at the Sun, which is known for its hard-nosed journalism on local government, said this change is new.

"A board-media policy had always been in place if you needed a particular statement, however this did not apply to individual schools until recently," Mattei said.

Consequently, the Sun's 2011-12 Hoops edition, which pictured all basketball teams from Northern New Mexico schools, left out the Española Valley Sundevils. Instead, it showed the Española school board members, including Maruska, and printed their phone numbers.

In a small paragraph, the Sun explained why the photos were missing from the Hoops edition: "If you would like this policy changed, as do the players who would otherwise be featured in this space, please contact your local board member or the superintendent at the phone numbers listed below."

Student athletes appear to suffer the most under the ongoing conflict.

Freshman class president Nicole Romero, who attends Española Valley High, stated at a town hall meeting on Dec. 14, that athletes "are upset because they cannot get their games or photos published in the newspaper."

Football quarterback Michael Aragon, a senior at the high school who also is on the track team, is angry at the current situation, too.

"Our sports are what brings good to our school. Ms. Maruska is abusing her power. I don't agree with a lot she does, and I know many parents try to contact her, and she does not respond," Aragon said.

The policy even sparked walkout of approximately 55 students at the high school on
Dec. 2. Students said they wanted to express their frustration at the situation because they feel students now lack a voice in the district.

"At this point, the Sun is the only voice we got. The Sun is our biggest voice," said Cassandra Cassias, a senior at the high school.

Juan Rascon, a sophomore who joined the December walkout, said that many people misunderstood why they were protesting the policy changes.

Sophomore Brandon Ronazko claims that "80 to 90 percent of the students agree [they] are mistreated. [But] they are simply afraid to speak up."

John Reese, a former science teacher at the high school and teachers' union president, agrees with that sentiment.

"In our education system, we should provide an outlet for students to speak out," Reese said.

Reese said in an interview that he had been terminated after a student hit him with a metal pipe, and he punched the student in the face in retaliation. After he was reinstated, Reese decided to quit his job and retired last month.

Reese said he was tired of the superintendent's inability to run a district; her lack of communication with students, parents and staff members; and her failure to work with the teachers' union. He also said there were inequalities in salaries.

Maruska said she wants to improve the relationship with the Sun. Although she hopes the newspaper would continue its coverage of the school district, Maruska said, "the situation there, is whether or not [the Sun staff] are willing to sit and meet."

She said she wants stories written with accuracy. "It makes me sad. I have never stopped a writer. All I wanted was a subject of the interview," Maruska said, regarding her policy.

Mattei believes that the proper protocol for school entry is, "You check in with the guards, and you work around the school schedule and make sure not to interrupt education."

Sandra Roney, a teacher at the high school, said she understands the newspaper works under the First Amendment.

"While I understand administration's concern about correct answers to questions, it does not seem appropriate that they should be given questions beforehand," Roney said. "The idea of submitting questions ahead of time changes the dynamic of the press to ask questions."

Marzia Dessi is a junior at Española Valley High School. You may contact her at azulamarz@rocketmail.com.