St. Helens SD considers paid leave for superintendent days after teacher sex abuse arrests

ST. HELENS, Ore. — The St. Helens School District is considering putting its superintendent on paid leave, just days after two teachers were charged with sexually abusing students in an incident that has shocked and outraged the community.

In a publically available school board meeting agenda for November 15, there is one Action Item: “Place Superintendent (Scot) Stockwell on Paid Administrative Leave.”

A notice on the district’s website also announced that the St. Helens School District is closed on Friday, November 15.

“This closure allows us to address recent events impacting our school community and prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the notice reads.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: St. Helens Police arrest two high school teachers on sex abuse charges

On Tuesday, St. Helens Police officers announced that they arrested one current and one former St. Helens High School teacher on charges of sex abuse against students. The charges came after a two-month investigation following allegations of sexual abuse at the school.

The current teacher has been identified as 46-year-old Eric Stearns. According to the district’s website, he teaches choir. Court documents show he has been indicted on seven counts of sexual abuse.

The former teacher, 64-year-old Mark Collins, is also accused of touching minors inappropriately at school. He has been indicted on two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and one count of attempted sexual abuse in the second degree.

A day after the bombshell allegations, hundreds of community members attended an explosive St. Helens School District Board meeting.

READ MORE: St. Helens parents lose faith in district to keep kids safe after sex abuse allegations

Parents sounded off on the district, telling the board they’d lost faith in them to keep their children safe.

“I feel like if this was our first situation, maybe allowing the police to do the investigation, but the school district doesn’t have the best record,” said a community member.

Parents were particularly agitated that the school didn’t put Stearns on administrative leave right when the investigation began.

One parent said to the board, “You guys willingly and knowingly put my daughter at risk.”

The district claims the police told them to keep Stearns should not be put on leave, which the police department denies.

Earlier this year, the St. Helens School District reached a $3.5 million settlement with a former student at St. Helens High School when she sued, claiming the district didn’t protect her from a teacher who posed sexual danger.

“As part of the work and cooperation with the district attorney and law enforcement, the St. Helens School District is required not to disclose the existence of this investigation to avoid interference with law enforcement,” said Superintendent Stockwell at the meeting.

Stearns was in court Wednesday, pleaded not guilty, and qualified for bail.

SEE ALSO: Second St. Helens High teacher accused of sex abuse pleads not guilty; protest erupts

Collins was in court Thursday. He pleaded not guilty, and was released on condition that he not have contact with minors or where minors congregate. He can also not contact the minors involved in the case and St. Helens High School.

In response, a large group of parents and students held signs and protested outside the school.

The November 15 school board meeting is scheduled for 4:45 p.m., and can be remotely viewed through Zoom. A link and more information can be found HERE.

The St. Helens School District provided this statement:

We are deeply saddened by recent events involving allegations of sexual abuse concerning a current and former teacher at St. Helens High School. The safety, well-being, and trust of our students and families are our foremost priorities. We are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and accountability within our schools.

To assist our students and staff during this difficult time, we have brought in additional counseling staff to be available to provide emotional support, guidance, and resources for anyone who may need assistance.

As a district, our responsibility to protect students is paramount. We are working closely with law enforcement as they conduct their ongoing investigation, and the current teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave. While we cannot comment further on the specifics of the investigation, inquiries can be directed to St. Helens Police Detective Edwards and Smith at 503-397-1521.

We also understand the need for transparency and accountability, which is why we are taking this opportunity to highlight some of the safety measures we have in place to protect our students and maintain a safe learning environment.

1. Rigorous Hiring and Screening Practices

Before any staff member joins our district, they must pass a comprehensive background check conducted by state and federal agencies, which includes fingerprinting.

2. Mandatory Staff Training and Code of Conduct

All staff members, including teachers, administrators, and support personnel, are trained in child abuse prevention, mandatory reporting, and our district’s code of conduct. Annual trainings reinforce best practices in maintaining professional boundaries and creating a safe environment for students.

3. Mandatory Reporting and Incident Reporting System

Oregon law requires that all school staff members are mandatory reporters, which means they are legally obligated to report any suspicion of abuse. Our district has established protocols for reporting concerns, which include immediate notification to local law enforcement or the Department of Human Services.

4. Anonymous Reporting for Students, Families, and Community

The St. Helens School District has an anonymous reporting system that allows students, parents, and community members to report safety concerns confidentially. This system is a valuable tool that empowers anyone in our community to raise concerns they might have. Information may be submitted anonymously by email, text, or phone at SafeOregon.

5. Ongoing Community Partnerships

We work closely with organizations such as Columbia Health Services, Columbia County Mental Health, and REAP, which support our district in promoting a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. These partnerships extend to local law enforcement, who assist us with safety training, preparedness drills, and resources.

6. Parent and Community Engagement

Safety is a shared responsibility, and we deeply value the role of parents and community members in our efforts to maintain a safe school environment. Our district regularly holds listening sessions, providing a forum for families to share their thoughts, voice concerns, and contribute to the culture of accountability and transparency in our schools.

In moments like these, it is natural for questions to arise, and we encourage open dialogue. We invite you to contact your school administrators or attend one of our upcoming district listening sessions. Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that all students feel secure, valued, and supported.