News Photo by Julie Riddle Judge Aaron Gauthier addresses Onaway school parent Erin Chaskey in the 53rd Circuit Court in Rogers City on Monday.

ROGERS CITY — An Onaway parent accused of eavesdropping on a conversation between two school officials may go on school property, as far as the court is concerned, Judge Aaron Gauthier decided on Monday in Rogers City.

Onaway Area Community School District officials say school parent Erin Chaskey illegally recorded school board member Michael Benson and then-superintendent Rod Fullerton as Chaskey stood at the entrance to a hallway leading to Fullerton’s office in October.

Fullerton has since taken a position at Harbor Springs Public Schools.

Surveillance video introduced as evidence at a hearing in December showed Chaskey walking through a vacant school office and standing near the hallway with her cell phone extended toward Fullerton’s office.

Chaskey said the school officials could not expect privacy because she was in a public place while recording the conversation, during which the officials allegedly criticized her for concerns she had raised about the school’s curriculum.

In response to their discovery that Chaskey had recorded the conversation, the district ordered the parent to stay off of school property.

A lower court also banned Chaskey from school grounds after police arrested her on an eavesdropping charge.

On Monday, Gauthier, in Presque Isle County’s 53rd Circuit Court, said the courts use bond conditions to bring defendants back to court and ensure public safety, and, he said, Chaskey did not present a danger or flight risk.

Asked by Chaskey whether the change meant she could attend her child’s sporting event, Gauthier said doing so would not get her in trouble with the court.

“You might, however, have other problems,” Gauthier said, reminding her of the school’s no-trespass order still in place.

The Onaway school district recently told Presque Isle County Prosecutor Ken Radzibon they intended to adjust the no-trespass conditions to allow Chaskey onto school property under some conditions, he said.

Gauthier’s ruling also removed a do-not-contact order between Chaskey and the school officials she recorded and granted her permission to leave the state, should she wish to do so.

A motion by Chaskey’s attorney asking Gauthier to dismiss the charges against her, which Radzibon said had been found pushed under a locked courthouse door, had not yet been filed with the Presque Isle County Clerk as of late Monday afternoon.

Separately, Chaskey in November filed a lawsuit against the district and Fullerton and Benson, protesting the no-trespass order.

The lawsuit also named the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office for their part in Chaskey’s arrest and confiscation of her cell phone.

The lawsuit also named the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office for their part in Chaskey’s arrest and confiscation of her cell phone.

Chaskey’s attorney said he has asked the courts to dismiss the suit.

This story was edited to reflect information shared with The News on Feb. 15, after print publication.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jriddleX.