Embattled St. Helens school board hires acting superintendent

Note: This story involves sexual abuse. If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual abuse, confidential support, information and advice are available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-4673. Text chat is also available online.

The embattled St. Helens school board unanimously voted Monday night to appoint Steve Webb as its acting superintendent.

Webb was hired by the board for a 90-day contract that begins immediately.

“Every student should feel safe, secure and supported in our schools,” Webb said during Monday’s brief virtual school board meeting. “We must do significant work to begin rebuilding community relationships and trust.”

Webb will take the helm of a school district rocked by allegations of sexual abuse that have left parents and community members deeply shaken and concerned.

Earlier this month, police arrested St. Helens High School choir director Eric Stearns, 46, as well as recently retired math teacher Mark Collins, 64. The men face charges of second-degree sexual abuse involving numerous students over several years. They’ve pleaded not guilty.

Days later, the school board placed Superintendent Scot Stockwell and high school principal Katy Wagner on paid administrative leave. Meanwhile, the state said it’s investigating Wagner and Stockwell for failing to report allegations of abuse.

“I want to acknowledge the severity of the challenges our district needs to overcome given the recent arrests for sexual abuse, additional open investigation, and the demands for more transparency,” Trinity Monahan, acting chairperson for the board, said Monday. “We know that it will take concerted effort and significant time to address the trust that has been broken between our community and school district.”

During Monday’s meeting, Webb said he planned to provide a specific plan that he hoped would provide the community with answers and “a renewed sense of confidence and trust” in their schools. Board members and district staff did not respond Monday night to how much Webb will be paid for his 90-day contract.

Webb served as superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools from 2008 to 2021. According to the Columbian newspaper, Webb received a $455,000 agreement with the Vancouver Public School District as part of a “retirement agreement and release” in 2021.

In March, the St. Helens School District agreed to pay a $3.5 million legal settlement after a teen was sexually abused by a high school coach.