A shocking wave of unrest swept through the St. Helens School District, located just 28 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon, following the arrest of two teachers on serious sexual abuse charges. The school board chair has resigned, and the school superintendent and the high school principal have been placed on administrative leave as the scandal unfolded, exposing years of alleged misconduct by staff members.
The St. Helens Police Department recently arrested Eric Stearns, 46, the high school's choir teacher, and Mark Collins, 64, who retired as the math teacher, after investigations revealed alarming allegations of sexual abuse involving students. This dramatic turn of events came after intense pressure from the community, which erupted with demonstrations demanding the resignation of the school officials.
Parents and students expressed outrage, claiming school authorities failed to act after receiving complaints about the teachers' behavior for years. Demonstrations at St. Helens High School turned heated as frustrated students called for immediate accountability from Superintendent Scot Stockwell, Principal Katy Wagner, and the entire school board. The upheaval led to the cancellation of classes and after-school events amid fears for student safety.
The authorities launched their investigation after receiving tips about inappropriate behavior linked to Stearns, which came to light through social media platforms like TikTok. Officers had been investigating these claims for two months before they executed the arrests. Police Chief Joseph Hogue stated at a media briefing, "The victims had reported some of this information to the school district, and many times they found records of it. This is part of what we are investigating."
Stearns has been charged with seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse, reportedly involving six students over several years, with some incidents dating back to 2015. He pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from allegations made by multiple former students. Collins, for his part, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of attempted second-degree sexual abuse involving three students, most of whose allegations surfaced during the recent police investigation. Collins also entered not guilty pleas.
Adding to the community's frustration, many parents stated their concerns go back as far as 2019, when they claimed to have alerted school officials to worrying behaviors exhibited by the accused teachers. One parent, Brandon Hogan, criticized, "If anybody reports this stuff, it feels like it's not taken seriously. Kids deserve to feel safe at school, not to feel like they are being ignored when they reach out for help."
The investigation has revealed possible legal repercussions for the school district as well. Columbia County District Attorney Joshua Pond is examining whether any laws were violated by the district for failing to forward the students' reports to law enforcement, which is mandated by state law. This scrutiny focuses on past reports made against both teachers, potentially stretching back several years, and poses significant questions about the district's handling of these allegations.
Community members are also disturbed by the recent $3.5 million payout made by the school district to settle claims related to sexual abuse by another teacher. This earlier case settled allegations against Kyle Wroblewski, who was convicted of abusing a 16-year-old student on the track team, underlining systemic issues within the district related to how it addresses sexual misconduct. The complexity of these cases raises questions about the protection of students and the district's commitment to creating safe educational environments.
During the school board’s emergency meeting held on Friday, after the arrests, Wagner was placed on paid leave, and Ryan Scholl resigned as school board chair. These decisions came as no surprise to students and parents alike, who had been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the administration's handling of the investigation. With emotions running high, Wagner's previous messages to parents asserting the investigation's confidentiality also came under scrutiny, as many felt it hindered the opportunity for transparency necessary for fostering trust within the community.
The developments have left parents like Mark Russell feeling desperate for answers. His daughter faced similar allegations against Stearns when he was still allowed to teach, leading the family to move schools. "We tried to voice our concerns before, and they were just brushed off—now this has escalated to unacceptable levels," Russell shared during protests.
The school's decision to cancel classes demonstrates the urgency of addressing the issue head-on. The district hopes to make arrangements for the upcoming school week, balancing student safety against the need for continuity in education.
The impending investigation has sparked outrage and calls for reforms, ensuring no other student endures similar experiences. Activists within the district are publicly demanding accountability from the board, urging for protocols to be upheld to protect students from potential abuse.
Despite the arrests, many parents are hopeful for change within the district policies. They want to see stronger measures implemented to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Community leaders are contemplating forum discussions to openly address these concerns and rebuild trust with families.
Stearns and Collins are currently waiting for their respective court hearings, both having entered not guilty pleas. Their arrest, alongside the district's leadership shake-up, signifies the beginning of long-overdue conversations around accountability and student safety. St. Helens School District aims to respond with actionable changes and protocols to support its students moving forward.
