It's been a pretty hot summer, not just across the Front Range but within the confines of the Douglas County school board's meeting room where tempers have flared and discussions have often been heated.

This week, the situation boiled over when a local parent and independent filmmaker was removed from the meeting by four Castle Rock police officers after he and his camera crossed a line members of the media were supposed to stay behind.

Brian Malone, who operates Malone Media Group in Castle Rock, was issued a summons for "disruption to a lawful assembly" and told by a district official that he is barred from school district property.

The district later amended that order so Malone can visit his child's school.

Malone said he has been filming school board meetings most of the summer.

This week, he said, the district changed the area where media were allowed to film and record.

He said he complained before the meeting that the new area wouldn't provide adequate audio access and would restrict him to filming the backs of speakers' heads, but his complaints weren't addressed.

The district issued a statement saying, in part, "Our goal is to conduct board meetings in a safe, professional manner. Guidelines for video recording of the board meeting were clearly stated to Mr. Malone and the other citizens wishing to video record prior to the meeting. . .

"Toward the end of the meeting, Mr. Malone ignored multiple requests and warnings from security and deliberately broke the reasonable parameters that had been set. He was escorted from the room to avoid further disruption."

But Malone insists the only disruption came when district security guards and a Castle Rock officer — the school board lately has had one standing by at meetings — asked him to leave.

When he refused, the officer apparently called for backup, which brought three additional officers.

Both sides will have a chance to argue the issue in court Oct. 25.

Karen Augé: 303-954-1733, or