Discontent and demand for change echoed through the community surrounding St. Helens High School today as protesters united to voice their outrage over sexual abuse allegations involving current and former teachers.
KOIN reported
that the demonstration followed revelations that choir teacher Eric Stearns, 46, and former teacher Mark Collins, 64, allegedly sexually abused nine students over several years on the high school grounds.
Amidst the turmoil, parents convened in a school board meeting at Plymouth High School, which saw the participation of hundreds in person and 500 others via Zoom. Queries raising concerns were directed at the board regarding Stearns’ presence in the classroom during a two-month investigation. The district’s response, as
KPTV
cited, came from a board representative attesting, “As part of the work and cooperation with the district attorney…The St. Helens School District was required not to disclose the existence of the investigation to avoid interference with law enforcement.”
Frustration mounted as parents and students claimed that school and district officials had dismissed their previous concerns regarding other teachers. This apparent negligence spurred widespread calls for the school board to step down. A demand for accountability was palpable, with one mother boldly declaring at Wednesday’s meeting, “You need to step down!” as per an account by
KGW
. Thursday’s protest began at 8:30 a.m., quickly gaining momentum as a visual and vocal show of dissatisfaction and anxiety over the safety of their children.
The allegations pose profound implications not solely for the individuals accused but also for the trust vested in the educational institution reputed to safeguard and educate. As the community grapples with the fallout, it is clear that a path toward healing and reform must be carved out to restore faith in a system that has fundamentally shaken this small Oregon town. The outcry for transparency and justice remains at the forefront of the collective conscience, as parents, students, and community members await definitive steps to prevent any further breaches of trust.
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