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The small town of St. Helens, Oregon, is in turmoil following accusations that local school officials mishandled allegations of sexual abuse involving two St. Helens High School teachers. The arrests of the teachers this week have sparked public outrage, student protests, and administrative upheaval.
History of Allegations
The controversy comes after the school district paid $3.5 million earlier this year to settle a lawsuit brought by a former student who was sexually abused by another teacher. Superintendent Scot Stockwell had promised nearly a year ago to ensure no further harm would come to students, but recent developments suggest systemic failures persisted.
This week, choir teacher Eric Stearns, 46, was arrested and charged with seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse, allegedly involving six students between 2015 and 2020. Retired math teacher Mark Collins, 64, faces charges of second-degree sexual abuse and attempted abuse involving three students from 2017 to early 2023.
Administrative Fallout
In response to the allegations, the district placed Principal Katy Wagner and Superintendent Stockwell on paid leave, and School Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned. These actions were taken during an emergency school board meeting held via Zoom.
Community Protests
On Friday, students and families protested, demanding accountability from school officials. One protester, Mark Russell, held a sign urging safety reforms. Russell’s daughter, Madi Falardeau, left the high school in 2022 due to alleged bullying and inappropriate behavior by Stearns. Despite complaints from her family, no action was taken against the teacher at the time.
The Role of Social Media
The investigation was prompted by a TikTok video posted by St. Helens alumnus Doug Weaver. His video, which referenced past misconduct at the school, received comments from current students about ongoing issues. Weaver alerted authorities through the SafeOregon tip line, sparking a broader inquiry.
Police Chief Joseph Hogue confirmed that the investigation revealed prior complaints against Stearns and Collins had been reported to the school administration but were not passed on to law enforcement, as required by law.
Community and Legal Reactions
Attorney Peter Janci, who previously represented a victim in a case involving another teacher, criticized the district’s lack of a culture of accountability. “When predators see lax enforcement, they become emboldened,” Janci said.
Parents and students are now demanding systemic changes to ensure student safety. School board members have pledged to rebuild trust and improve the district’s handling of such complaints.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Both Stearns and Collins have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Their cases highlight failures in safeguarding students and addressing misconduct in a timely manner.
Moving Forward
The school district has canceled classes districtwide, aiming to resume operations by Monday. The board plans to appoint an acting superintendent and examine its systems for managing complaints. Meanwhile, the community continues to grapple with the repercussions of these allegations, united in a call for accountability and reform.
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