SAINT-HELENS, Ore. — The St. Helens School District announced on Monday the newly appointed acting superintendent for the district amid a series of unraveling revelations around sex abuse scandals thought the district. In the wake of a teacher sex-abuse case, the board chair has resigned while the district superintendent and the St. Helens High School principal have been placed on administrative leave.
During a meeting Monday night, the board touched on the magnitude of the rising scandals and the challenges facing the district following recent allegations of employee misconduct and concerns from the parents, families and the community regarding the lack of transparency from some district and school leaders.
“We know that it will take concerted effort and significant time to address the trust that has been broken between our community and school district,” said Trinity Monahan, acting chair for the board.
In a statement to KGW, the district confirmed that the St. Helens School District Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday night on the appointment of Dr. Steve Webb as acting superintendent. Webb will be serving under a 90-day contract which immediately took effect upon his appointment.
Dr. Steve Webb introduced himself during the meeting as a veteran superintendent holding over four decades of experience. He earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Seattle University.
Webb was also the former superintendent at Vancouver Public Schools from 2008 to 2001, and previously served as superintendent in Apple Valley, California.
During the meeting Webb expressed the importance of a safe learning spaces for students.
"Every student should feel safe, secure and supported in our schools," he said.
The district added that Webb brings a wealth of experience to the role with a long-standing established career within K-12 education spanning nearly four decades. Webb is currently an executive search consultant with Human Capital Enterprises and a national senior consultant for the American Association of School Administrators
During his tenure at Vancouver Public Schools, he was recognized for his work around expanding K-12 programs, technological enhancements in teaching and learning, rebuilding and improving district facilities, enhancing safety security measures, building school-community partnerships and improving student achievements.
Webb was previously Washington State's Superintendent of the Year, AASA National Superintendent of the Year finalist, and AASA Dr. Effie Jones Humanitarian Award.
The board went on to praise the appointment of Webb as a step in the right direction toward healing and moving forward.
“We are pleased that Dr. Webb, a veteran superintendent and a highly regarded educational leader, has joined us to help our district and community come together, heal and move forward," said Monahan.
The district said Webb will focus on stabilizing district and school leadership, listening to stakeholders, and recommending actions that are needed to address the district’s current crisis and long-term needs.
“Our shared goal is to set St. Helens School District on a path toward a successful future, ensuring that the appropriate policies, procedures, systems and personnel are in place for a safe, respectful, and professionally ethical learning environment. Every student should feel safe, secure, and supported in our schools. We must do significant work to begin rebuilding community relationships and trust,” said Webb.
