Two teachers from St. Helens High School in Oregon were charged Tuesday, Nov. 12, with sexually abusing students. However, authorities said the school never reported these allegations to police even though the alleged abuse dates back to 2019.
Officials said the charges against Eric Stearns, 46, and Mark Collins, 64, involve the abuse of nine female students over four years, from 2019 to 2023.
The news has prompted protests, online petitions, and calls for the resignation of school leaders.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Principal Katy Wagner was placed on administrative leave. School Board Chairman Ryan Scholl resigned the same day. School officials later placed Superintendent Scott Stockwell on leave the following day.
Jennifer L. Myrick, Stearns’ lawyer, has denied the charges. She claims the investigation unfairly conflated Stearns’ case with that of Collins and accusing authorities of mishandling the case. It’s unclear if Collins has legal representation.
In response to the allegations, Wagner sent an email to the school community on Sept. 14, acknowledging the concerns raised by the community. She emphasized the importance of trust between students and staff, but didn’t directly address the district’s failure to report the abuse.
Officials closed St. Helens High School after the allegations. Officials said staff are currently preparing for their return in a safer environment.
The abuse cases aren’t the first at the school. In 2019, a teacher, Kyle Wroblewski, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse, leading to a $3.5 million settlement with his victim.
St. Helens High School currently teaches nearly 1,000 students.
