The St. Helens community is embroiled in controversy as law enforcement delves into allegations of misconduct within the local school district. A middle school teacher at St. Helens is being investigated for "offensive physical contact" with students, following disturbing reports of sex abuse involving two high school teachers, as confirmed by KOIN 6 News. Little information has been released regarding the nature of the alleged contact, but the investigation is under the immediate attention of the authorities.
Recent events have been a crescendo reaching an apex of public outcry after the arrest of high school teachers Mark Collins and Eric Stearns, who now face multiple sexual abuse charges. In light of the incidents involving the middle school teacher, St. Helens detectives have commenced interviews and are working to identify potential victims, as reported by the police to KGW.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended its investigation into these matters, including possible neglect allegations against St. Helens High School Principal Dr. Katy Wagner for failing to report abuse. At the same time, the school board has responded by calling an emergency meeting, indicating the gravity of the situation at hand. This meeting will deliberate on the appointment of a temporary superintendent, amidst administrative leave announcements for Principal Wagner and District Superintendent Scot Stockwell, underlining the systemic accountability being addressed, according to OPB.
The accusations against implicated teachers Collins and Stearns follow another major incident where the district settled one of the state's largest legal payouts for sexual abuse by former coach Kyle Wroblewski. Furthermore, bringing Collins's conduct into sharper focus, a student alleged on Wednesday that while he was working in the Scappoose School District as a substitute teacher, Collins had viewed pornography on an electronic device during class, as per OPB. St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner and District Superintendent Scot Stockwell have both been placed on administrative leave. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has also launched an investigation into Stockwell over allegations that he failed to report concerns regarding child safety.
