The somber reality of sexual abuse allegations has disrupted the educational landscape at St. Helens High School, leading to significant administrative shifts. Two teachers are at the center of a sexual abuse case generating community uproar, actions that have cleared the way for the high school’s principal and district superintendent to be placed on administrative leave while pushing the school board chair to resign.
Administrators’ actions follow the arrest of teachers who now face serious allegations. Dr. Katy Wagner, the high school’s principal, and Scot Stockwell, the superintendent, are on leave as of yesterday, after two students formerly accused of sexual abuse by teachers. “The community has lost faith in a number of different things for the district, the superintendent, the boards,” the school board shared in a statement obtained byKGW. Vice Chair Trinity Monahan has been appointed to temporarily fill the duties previously held by former school board chair Ryan Scholl, who resigned amid the unfolding scandal.
In the wake of public demonstrations and impassioned pleas from parents and students, the district pledged to prioritize safety and support for all students. “We’ve heard the concerns that have been raised and are committed to transparency and working toward fostering a safe, supportive environment for all students,” the district declared in a statement yesterday morning, as reported byKOIN. This statement came on the heels of student-led protests and calls from the community for decisive action against those implicated in the case.
The teachers at the center of the controversy, identified as Stearns and Collins by Acting St. Helens Police Chief Joseph Hogue, have both pleaded not guilty. Charged with abuse spanning several years, Stearns is accused of inappropriate conduct with six students from 2015 to 2020, while Collins faces allegations involving three students between 2017 and January of this year. The St. Helens Police Department has acknowledged that the investigation was significantly driven by a TikTok video that brought attention to the claims, according toOregonLive. Hogue revealed that the social media post prompted detectives to sift through comments and contact individuals alleging the abuse, leading to a grand jury subpoena in October for the personnel files of the accused.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply