PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek addressed the St. Helens community in the wake of an ongoing teacher sex abuse scandal that has sent shockwaves through the town and the district.
"It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today," Kotek said. "Over the last week, I have been closely monitoring developments for the St. Helens School District and community following the arrests of a current district employee and a retired district employee."
The Oregon Department of Human Services is investigating six staff members and administrators. Last week, Superintendent Scot Stockwell was placed on administrative leave. Kotek said if the district does not name an acting superintendent within 14 days, she will "escalate the state's engagement with the district" and name an interim superintendent herself.
The district's board of directors have scheduled a public meeting on Monday to announce the acting superintendent under consideration.
"My duty as your Governor, and the superintendent of public education, is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students that enter our schools, each and every day," Kotek said. "I am taking this issue very seriously and I offer my sincere condolences for the current situation that your community is facing, including the trust broken by the lack of transparency and immediate response to the allegations by district leadership."
Last Tuesday, current St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns and former teacher Mark Collins were arrested following a two-month police investigation. Stearns and Collins are accused of abusing a total of nine students.
Following the news of the arrests, students, parents and the community erupted in outrage. Classes resumed this week after school was canceled last week during multiple days of student-led protests on the St. Helens High School campus over how the district handled the police investigation.
Stearns taught choir at the school up until his arrest, even though police had notified the district he was under investigation nearly two months prior.
On Thursday, it was reported that Oregon Department of Human Services is investigating six staff members and administrators connected to St. Helens. It includes "allegations of sexual abuse" involving two other staff members. KGW is not naming those staff members, as St. Helens police said they have not been arrested or charged at this time.
Stockwell and Principal Dr. Katy Wagner, who were both placed on administrative leave last week, are under investigation for allegations of neglect "due to failure to report child safety concerns," DHS said.
St. Helens police also revealed Thursday 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 included in the investigation.
Kotek said St. Helens High School administrative staff received additional training this week on mandatory reporting by DHS. Administrators at St. Helens middle and elementary school will also receive this training by the end of December.
"Our children rely on us to recognize when something isn’t right and to protect them by calling the abuse hotline to report suspected abuse or neglect at 855-503-SAFE (7233). The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," Kotek said. "I stand with you and your community as you continue to navigate the impacts from this situation."
Below is the full text of Kotek's letter:
Dear St. Helens Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today. Over the last week, I have been closely monitoring developments for the St. Helens School District and community following the arrests of a current district employee and a retired district employee.
My duty as your Governor, and the superintendent of public education, is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students that enter our schools, each and every day. I am taking this issue very seriously and I offer my sincere condolences for the current situation that your community is facing, including the trust broken by the lack of transparency and immediate response to the allegations by district leadership.
As you know, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Training, Investigations and Safety (OTIS) is investigating these allegations of abuse and whether mandatory reporters in the district failed their legal obligation to report suspected child abuse. Once their investigations are complete, they will share their findings with local law enforcement, the school district, and relevant state agencies so these entities can take the appropriate course of action to hold accountable every person who failed their legal obligation to report suspected child abuse. In addition, OTIS has provided training on mandatory reporting to St. Helens High School administrative staff this week and will provide training to St. Helens middle and elementary school administrators by the end of December.
Our children rely on us to recognize when something isn’t right and to protect them by calling the abuse hotline to report suspected abuse or neglect at 855-503-SAFE (7233). The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
My team has been working with the Oregon Department of Education, education partners, and our congressional delegation to support the district. I understand that an acting superintendent will be appointed swiftly. If this expectation is not met within 14 days, I am prepared to escalate the state’s engagement with the district and make a recommendation for an interim superintendent.
I stand with you and your community as you continue to navigate the impacts from this situation.
Sincerely,
Governor Tina Kotek
