SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Human Services has now opened investigations into six staff members or administrators associated with St. Helens High School in the wake of an ongoing teacher sex abuse scandal that has roiled the school district and community.
The investigation, first reported by OPB, is being carried out by the department's Office of Training, Investigations and Safety, which is tasked with looking into reports of abuse by third parties such as caregivers and teachers.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that Principal Dr. Katy Wagner is under investigation for allegations of neglect "due to failure to report child safety concerns." They later added that Stockwell, the district superintendent, was being investigated for similar allegations.
Wagner and Superintendent Scot Stockwell were both placed on paid administrative leave last week, and St. Helens School District Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned.
The scandal broke open last week when retired teacher Mark Collins and current teacher Eric Stearns were arrested following a months-long police investigation and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse. The arrests set off a firestorm of criticism from parents and the community and led to a three-day closure of the school amid student protests.
The public anger grew when school board members admitted they had known since September that Stearns was under investigation. Parents and students said the decision to allow Stearns to keep teaching up until his arrest fit in with a years-long pattern of Wagner and other district leaders ignoring or suppressing reports of sexual abuse.
"More just keeps coming out, and it's really unbelievable," said parent Amber Gilbreath, "Like what is going on in St. Helens?"
In an updated statement Thursday, DHS revealed that not only were Stearns and Collins under investigation, but there were also investigations into two other staff members for "allegations of sexual abuse." KGW is not naming those staff members as St. Helens police said they have not been arrested or face charges at this time.
"It's horrible what's happening in the school district," said high school student Kajetan Dudek, "It makes every student uncomfortable, even if you're not part of the groups that are being affected... it really gets everyone."
On Thursday, St. Helens police revealed that they were investigating a teacher at St. Helens Middle School after receiving a report about alleged criminal conduct "involving a student." The teacher has not been identified, and there has been no indication from DHS that they are currently included in the investigation.
There were no reports against any of the St. Helens High School staff members or administrators made to the state between July 2019 and October 2024, nor any prior reports of safety concerns at the school overall, according to DHS.
The investigations typically take 60 days, according to the DHS spokesperson, though the respondents have the right to appeal the findings and an investigation isn't considered complete until the respondent waives or exhausts that right.
In a board meeting Thursday, the St. Helens School District asked that families and students report to the St. Helens Police Department Non-Emergency line at 503-397-1521, the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 855-503-7233 or the SafeOregon Tip Line at 844-472-3367. The district added it has brought in multiple mental health resources and hired a third-party investigator to review their current policy, including mandatory reporting.