Oregon’s government says it will intervene if St. Helens district does not quickly address the sexual assault scandal

ST. HELENS Ore. (KPTV) – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek sent a letter to the city of St. Helens on Friday, vowing to step in and take control if the school district doesn’t act quickly sexual assault scandal which has shaken the small community in recent weeks.

“My duty as your governor, and superintendent of public education, is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students who enter our schools, every day. I take this matter very seriously and I offer my sincere condolences for the current situation that your community is facing, including the breach of trust by the lack of transparency and immediate response to the allegations from district leadership,” Kotek wrote. “My team has been working with the Oregon Department of Education, educational partners and our congressional delegation to support the district. I understand that an acting manager will be appointed quickly. If this expectation is not met within 14 days, I am prepared to escalate the state’s engagement with the district and make a recommendation for an interim superintendent.”

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St. Helens police detectives are investigating a middle school teacher for alleged “criminal activity” involving students, they announced Thursday.

A teacher in St. Helens High School and a former teacher have been arrested and are facing sexual assault charges involving students.

Plus a teacher in St. Helens Middle School is under investigation for criminal conduct involving students, St. Helens in a statement on Thursday.

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St. Helens High School students returned to class Tuesday in the wake of a teacher sexual assault scandal.

Two other high school employees are also under investigation by the state Department of Human Services for allegations, and ODHS also announced that Superintendent Scot Stockwell and St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner are both under investigation for allegedly failing to report potential child abuse.

The chairman of St. Helens School Board member Ryan Scholl also resigned last week.