Outrage is erupting across Oregon, particularly among students and parents of St. Helens High School, following the shocking arrests of two teachers on serious sexual abuse charges. Choir teacher Eric Stearns, 46, and retired math teacher Mark Collins, 64, face accusations tied to the sexual abuse of at least nine underage girls, with claims going back several years. This alarming situation is provoking fierce responses from the community, leading to protests and calls for accountability from school officials.
The storm of anger kicked off when parents and students flooded the school board meeting following the arrests, demanding to know why the district allowed their teachers to continue working with students when there were known allegations of misconduct. Parents expressed their fury at the lack of action, pointing out specific instances when complaints were made yet seemingly ignored. "My mom made complaints about Mr. Stearns putting his hand around my neck as a 'vocal exercise,' and nothing was done,” said one student, articulately directing their anger at the school board.
Despite recording complaints as early as 2019 about the two teachers' inappropriate behavior, the district reportedly failed to act, allowing them to remain with students until their arrests. Parents are demanding answers: "What’s being done to prevent this, and what’s being done to the staff who allowed this to happen?" Many are left wondering what the district’s systemic failures are, which allowed such abuses to persist for years.
During the heated discussions, Ryan Scholl, the school board chairman, stated his ignorance of the investigation and mentioned he was dissuaded from placing the accused teachers on administrative leave after speaking with police. "I was told not to put the teachers on leave," Scholl claimed, but St. Helens Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue swiftly countered this statement, arguing there was no such directive from law enforcement.
Frustration boiled over, resulting not only in uproarious school board meetings but also high-profile administrators facing consequences. St. Helens Superintendent Scot Stockwell and High School Principal Katy Wagner were placed on administrative leave under community pressure, with Scholl resigning his position entirely.
This recent scandal isn't isolated but rather part of a troubling pattern at St. Helens High School. Records show another teacher, Kyle Wroblewski, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse back in 2019, leading to significant financial settlements. This history raises serious concerns about the culture and policies within the district. Clearly, the community feels there's been negligence at the highest levels, allowing abusive behaviors to continue unchecked.
The investigation recently ignited after Doug Weaver, a former student of St. Helens High School, posted a video on TikTok describing the historical issues of abuse at the school. His video sparked numerous tips and conversations among current students who corroborated his accounts, leading him to alert the local police. "You’ve all known about it, and I want to know why," one student passionately challenged the school board, emphasizing how the failure of administrators to act has personal ramifications.
This situation at St. Helens High has pushed the community to its limits. Much of the student body has mobilized, organizing protests and walkouts to demand real change. They seek not only justice for the victims but also systemic reforms to guarantee safety for their peers. A junior student, Avlene Moore, who helped organize the protests, spoke on how important it is for students to have their voices heard in matters directly impacting their safety and education.
The district is reeling from the consequences of these allegations, which can no longer be overlooked. Community members are demanding to know how administrators can have ignored so many warning signs. One parent remarked, "Two months this teacher was at the school in contact with minors... if you were aware of this situation, why was he still allowed on school grounds?" This sentiment draws sharp focus on the disparity between bureaucratic decision-making and protecting children’s safety.
The legal ramifications for Stearns and Collins could be severe. Both face serious charges; Stearns is dealing with seven counts of second-degree sex abuse and one count of third-degree sex abuse, whereas Collins faces two counts of second-degree and one count of attempted second-degree sex abuse. If convicted, the consequences could include lengthy prison sentences, alongside the inevitable damage this scandal causes to the school’s reputation.
Parents are not merely upset but are now actively questioning the integrity and fitness of those running their schools. A pervasive sense of betrayal lingers; how could those responsible for nurturing and educating the youth stand by as this crisis unfolded right under their noses? Former state senator Rachel Armitage also attended the recent board meeting, supporting the concerned parents and expressing her disappointment with the school’s leadership.
St. Helens' young people are left grappling with questions of trust and safety. The community's anger is palpable, calling for more than the mere resignation of key figures but for thorough investigations and systemic changes within not only the school board but also district-wide policies. Reports now flood the internet, with community members stepping forward to share their experiences and knowledge of previously unreported misconduct, reinforcing the notion there may be more victims.
Local authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring child safety moving forward. The city of St. Helens acknowledged the tragic altercations, stating, "What has transpired is unacceptable. We should all be angry. We must do well by our youth,” highlighting the community's resolve to restore faith and protect future generations.
The trust between educators and students has been severely damaged, prompting broader conversations about sexual harassment policies and reporting procedures at schools nationwide. If there’s any silver lining to this horrific situation, hopefully, it will lead not only to accountability for these actions but reform to protect vulnerable students from similar traumas.
While the way forward appears rocky, students and parents remain undeterred. "We don’t want to be around pedophiles!" One student exclaimed, bravely speaking for many when they urged the board for decisive action to wipe out toxicity within their school. They are not going to allow this scandal to fade quietly; they are insisting on change and making it clear they will no longer be silent.
