St. Helens school board meeting ends abruptly after parent outbursts over handling of alleged sex abuse

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A St. Helens school board meeting abruptly ended after questions and complaints from community members regarding sex abuse charges brought against two former teachers, as well as the school district’s response.

In the public comment portion of the Wednesday night meeting, one woman, Jenny Gilbert, stood up and addressed each of the board members directly, blaming them for their failure to report alleged abuse in the cases of Eric Stearns, a choir teacher at St. Helens High School, as well as former teacher Mark Collins.

Stearns was arrested in November along with former teacher Mark Collins on allegations that the two men had abused their students. Since then, an investigation has opened to include several other teachers and administrators accused of sexual abuse and failure to report.

Although St. Helens police claim they have found no reason to suggest the board had any knowledge of the abuse, they added the investigation is ongoing and some members may be found criminally liable.

Gilbert further encouraged each board member to resign, or not seek reelection this coming cycle.

“Not one of you can shake this,” she said. “This will be your legacy.”

Meanwhile, parent Rochelle Russell brought up concerns regarding the search for a new superintendent after former Superintendent Scot Stockwell was placed on paid administrative leave in Nov. 2024. for allegedly failing to report the abuse.

Steven Webb was appointed as acting Superintendent, but stepped down from his role on Jan. 31 after the district claimed he’d fulfilled his assigned duties, including: launching an internal investigation, hiring an acting high school principal, holding school listening sessions and developing a preliminary corrective action plan — Karen Gray became the acting superintendent for the district last month.

With the departure of Webb, Russell voiced impatience in the search for a new superintendent.

“Why is the superintendent search still underway and why are we continuing to pay Scott Stockwell?” she asked.

But the temperature in the room rose when attendees interrupted board member Kellie Jo Smith by chanting in unison, counting up from one to 23, signifying the number of students who came forward.

Smith then interjected, claiming the public was “misinformed” about how information gets relayed to the board.

A visibly emotional Russell then claimed the board was “lying” about their lack of prior knowledge in the abuse cases. At which point, Board Chair Mathieu Douglass decided the public meeting was no longer being productive.

The board then adjourned the session to private quarters.