High school students and parents in St. Helens, Oregon, are demanding answers after a series of shocking revelations involving two teachers accused of sexual abuse.
Frustrations boiled over at a recent school board meeting, where community members expressed outrage over the district’s handling of the situation.
Arrests Spark Public Outrage
Two educators, choir teacher Eric Stearns, 46, and retired math teacher Mark Collins, 64, were arrested following a two-month investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse at St. Helens High School.
Police uncovered years of student complaints about inappropriate behavior, including incidents of touching, that the school district reportedly failed to disclose as required by law.
Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue subpoenaed district records, which revealed a pattern of neglect in addressing allegations against both teachers.
The revelations have fueled widespread anger, particularly among students who felt betrayed by the lack of action.
Students Speak Out at Heated Board Meeting
During a contentious school board meeting, students shared emotional testimonies about their experiences with Stearns.
One student described being hugged, kissed on the head, and told “I love you” by the teacher.
Another recalled how her mother had complained about Stearns’ inappropriate physical contact under the guise of “vocal exercises,” but the concerns were dismissed.
“You are all to blame. You are all guilty,” one student declared, addressing the board members.
Others accused the district of knowingly allowing a “pedophile” to remain in the classroom.
Board Chair Ryan Scholl defended the decision to keep Stearns in his role, claiming law enforcement had advised against placing him on leave.
However, Chief Hogue refuted this, stating officers had never provided such guidance.
Protests Close Schools
Student-led protests escalated, leading to the closure of the high school on Thursday.
By Friday, all district schools were shut down as parents and students called for the resignation of Superintendent Michael Stockwell and Principal Katy Wagner.
The outrage intensified after details emerged about the charges against the accused teachers.
Stearns faces multiple counts of sexual abuse, with allegations spanning from 2015 to 2020.
Similarly, Collins is accused of abusing three students between 2017 and early 2023.
Both men have pleaded not guilty.
Leadership Shake-Up and District Response
In an emergency meeting, the school board voted unanimously to place Superintendent Stockwell on paid administrative leave.
Principal Wagner was also placed on leave, and Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned.
The district issued a statement promising transparency and a commitment to student safety.
“We’ve heard the concerns and are working toward fostering a safe, supportive environment for all students,” the statement read.
A Community in Search of Change
The community’s trust in district leadership has been severely shaken.
Many believe sweeping changes are necessary to rebuild confidence and prioritize student safety.
As the district faces mounting pressure, parents, students, and staff are left wondering how the system failed to protect children for so long—and what steps will be taken to ensure it never happens again.
What’s Next?
The school district must now navigate a challenging path forward.
Restoring trust will require not only personnel changes but also systemic reforms to ensure allegations of abuse are handled promptly and transparently.
For many in St. Helens, the scars from this ordeal will take time to heal, but the community remains determined to see justice served and accountability upheld.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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