[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6537374,"mediaKeyId","3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169","parentId",3586404,"title","Parents and residents press for accountability; recall effort, forensic-audit requests and allegations aired at board meeting","audioSeconds",1121,"startMs",8349000,"endMs",9470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169&start=8349&end=9470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169/thumbnail_8349000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537374/Oregon/Parents-and-residents-press-for-accountability-recall-effort-forensic-audit-requests-and-allegations-aired-at-board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537374-81548cbcbbd257b58b44ccf62468851f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110506&Signature=Zc2zOxDz998cOeaKZDQkRqKCZ5w6F-IBOldTPAL9oL6yfWFIP0zqnciulcAbgy2Oq7tS8fUOl4eOlsRO54mMFlrq2z5m~CLloTnuSTWvcCN3y3pqKivKg6S6s5LMW6cIfUSSsGuV2RUdKi~XTAxZ4nM3czkKrq-yk5ct6npczdGp63~oAnaxRPjUz2ExHPOTFaOgEZ~QCEvrbfhpWT3fdgaylLv~si2iblg9TXaOLIonMPQ38Q5wJGD1EpotWh1KxPVDbXA-S-WAhNWWxPTrzqejdLjBS~sQKbNEDowJgyP234BY1n1oFuaJy4fcWCqRwajia6j45SxXrCOxdXziPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Helens School District OR","date","2025-05-29T03:58:45.12Z","article","A series of emotional public comments at the May 28 St. Helens School District 502 board meeting brought allegations about internal incidents, calls for a forensic audit of district finances, and an organized recall effort for two sitting board members.

A resident identified in the public record as Aventurine told the board she had learned of an incident in a McBride Elementary life-skills classroom in November 2024 and alleged the event involved a staff member and a nonverbal student. Aventurine said she believed the matter had \"been swept under the rug\" and urged administrative action. The board chair and staff responded during public comment that personnel matters are not resolved in open session and that allegations of possible abuse should be reported to law enforcement or the Oregon Department of Human Services so appropriate investigators can act.

Another speaker, who identified herself as leading a recall committee, announced an effort to gather signatures to recall two board members, Bill Amos and Melody Killens, and said the group planned to collect roughly 2,000 signatures by July 16. The speaker described the recall as a response to perceived failures of the board.

Other public speakers asked why the district had a standard financial audit rather than a forensic audit and said transparency around a significant year-to-year decline in fund balances and large overexpenditures justified deeper scrutiny. One speaker asked for clarity about whether staff or district leaders had been held accountable for financial decisions that led to layoffs and program reductions.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray reminded the audience that personnel allegations should be directed to DHS or law enforcement for investigation and said the district would not deliberate personnel actions in public board session. Chair Matthew Douglas and other board members reiterated the same procedural limits.

Why it matters: Public allegations about student safety and a concerted recall drive are politically consequential and raise procedural questions about how the district responds to personnel complaints, how financial oversight is performed and which investigatory channels the public should use.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Helens School Board Regular Meeting May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public speakers called for accountability for the district's financial and personnel matters, announced a recall effort for two board members, and requested a forensic audit and outside investigations; board and staff urged appropriate reporting channels for personnel allegations.","taxTitle","St Helens SD 502, School Districts, Oregon","taxId",38736,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537380,"Board pulls several policies for later review; first readings include AI, restraint rules and 504 updates",8658,76000,8734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169&start=76&end=8734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6537380/Oregon/Board-pulls-several-policies-for-later-review-first-readings-include-AI-restraint-rules-and-504-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537380-aa8ece3b07dfb47f4291bd7e9a1bcc2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110507&Signature=CpEvsmH7uh3n06sc7D4LqqEv6orSkwVQfDDewB2Mjjo6S1nyygHZt8k1HhoJtAkNcWEAGZ3XU5K5a~nRYfN-4qafP7t9pvz-Qbsx57ITKxS2d9-ndWq52GXeGQk~Z9S2aZ~104Jbeb646PmGH0Fr-OoJJPVBI4C4Na15I1d3hLSbtqKImsM2woMrvt~DcqU73QAVS8kJakq~iEPCQW~Z2E8ViLTVu6gcF~AfIPpC1pdi-B9DvmCvKDvA4orclZGZVn835dsKgV21RUZWizkBfAj~-OTGy-MYbZG8WJkVlBdYT081VPeHlCWtOAP6rGUvGgzw0eo3ItPUCBjBSYqBQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens School District 502 board removed five policies from tonight's consent agenda for additional consideration and scheduled further review at upcoming meetings.

Board members moved to remove policy items identified on the agenda as 9.3.1 (artificial intelligence), 9.3.4 (evaluation of administrators), 9.3.12 (student health services), 9.3.18 (harassment), and 9.3.21 (criminal records check and fingerprinting). The motion to remove those items was made, seconded and approved by voice vote so the policies can be discussed in future readings rather than passing on the consent agenda.

Board and administrative staff also presented a set of policy updates in a first reading. Notable items included:
- A revision to the public records administrative rule (KBA-AR) that adopts a statewide cost chart for records requests: clerical time $40/hour, administrative time $90/hour, attorney time $300/hour, and printing $.25/page. Staff said the change standardizes charges for large requests.
- Revised harassment policy language clarifying the definition of \"without consent\" to specify \"an act performed without the knowing, voluntary, clear agreement by all parties\" and when a party is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol or pressured to participate.
- Updates to restraint and seclusion policy (JGAB) and its administrative regulation (JGA-AR) to reflect OAR 581-021-0556-12: changes require preservation of records (including audio/video) in original format and describe notification and disclosure procedures for investigations, including disclosure to DHS when requested.
- Deletions and consolidations of several student health and communicable-disease policies into a new Student Health Services policy and referencing Oregon Department of Education/Oregon Health Authority guidance for communicable disease.
- A new trespass protocol and form prepared with legal counsel to allow staff to trespass individuals from district property when state law permits and to provide an appeal process.

Public comment on the AI policy drew a request from a school reading assistant for a narrower approach. Logan Gilbert Renner, a Title I reading assistant and vice president of OSEA Chapter 31, urged the board to allow staff to use AI-generated materials for classroom supports and to permit students under 13 to use approved AI tools with parental opt-in and supervision. Renner said an outright ban on AI use in grades under 13 would block tools that can help early readers and that some education-focused AI products comply with COPPA with parental consent.

Board chair and staff said the pulled policies will return for more discussion during the board's remaining meetings this month and at the June 25 meeting for second readings where required.

Why it matters: Policy language will govern classroom technology, student privacy, restraint/seclusion procedures and public records charges across the district; changes affect staff practice, student rights and how the district responds to incidents and records requests.","Board removed multiple policies from the consent agenda for later discussion, conducted first readings of numerous policy updates (including use of breathalyzers, records-request charges, restraint/seclusion rules and 504 procedures), and heard public comment urging a narrower AI policy for classroom use.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537384,"Board approves new superintendent contract; names interim signers and budget officer",7299,2351000,9650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169&start=2351&end=9650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169/thumbnail_2351000.jpg","/articles/6537384/Oregon/Board-approves-new-superintendent-contract-names-interim-signers-and-budget-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537384-50647c2f9d8566a1eb69db3e08d646ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110507&Signature=QELxtSQgZZwCmudr7fbfY406JJJMv72EJ4gzuLtuCISDfUn8InqRuuAtlreBlxVJaAwDGTxVGB4bZzVrKt0fh4b8~GG6N9nvbPGKr8~MJMvv1-b3Wfl5WK6ft7RRNkMnq~l2b-XpVd3JZtiJpOjWey2VcZ~oGaT4yo5pW5IZfbZ7RZR~BA5zf5ysEowe6qw~yn7fsHEyc7X~M6ono7hZe4wkSsxXoxPtrIsUwJmDU4GiUzMeM5f4ZtWnk9ZaGCw3ogFSKFxrcrYxoN21DiNnb1pmXPITAcKXyJ6MoZHFP1GkbAnzzI3xFrORrfa94nzEmkeDj8RhnHnJBysyGIOYOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens School District 502 Board of Education on May 28 approved a contract for its incoming superintendent and adopted resolutions to ensure administrative continuity during the leadership transition.

The board approved the contract for Dr. Corrine Barreras Brown, who was formally introduced earlier in the meeting. Board members voted in favor after a motion and second; the motion carried by voice vote.

The board also approved a resolution appointing Jeff Burns as the district's chief administrative officer, school district clerk and budget officer effective June 23, 2025. The resolution was presented to ensure someone with signing authority would be in place between departing and incoming administrators; the district explained the timing: CFO Christy Woodard's last day is June 20, Jeff Burns's start date is June 23, and Superintendent Brown begins July 1.

A separate resolution revised the district's authorized signers for contracts, intergovernmental agreements and banking transactions to reflect the staffing changes; the board approved that resolution by voice vote.

On another governance item, the board unanimously endorsed Michelle Graham to represent the district for Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) Zone 4. The board also set its annual organizational meeting for July 16 at 6 p.m. in the district office boardroom.

Why it matters: Approving the superintendent contract and naming interim signers and a budget officer keeps the district legally able to conduct business, execute contracts and meet budget deadlines during the leadership transition.","The board approved the contract for incoming Superintendent Corrine Barreras Brown, appointed Jeff Burns as chief administrative officer/clerk/budget officer effective June 23, revised authorized signers for district accounts, and endorsed a NWRESD Zone 4 candidate.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537388,"St. Helens board accepts 2023–24 audit, approves plan of action after ClearTrail review",5170,4452000,9622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169&start=4452&end=9622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3586404-3d51fc2e6984d7d0f56815bd8449b169/thumbnail_4452000.jpg","/articles/6537388/Oregon/St-Helens-board-accepts-202324-audit-approves-plan-of-action-after-ClearTrail-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537388-9333749d9d0536d472a434c9ed6e2160/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110507&Signature=KtQ2eIrUNE0Ptf3MQ1xBsE2mOLqd22TF~XYQVvsdhfyuOnxkl6kAU8wQZYVcHRzpM8Zpia78wZQA-g6CU6C6v0ixRpXhLTnDzFWUcGmHceKzKz6MPg5Vj08QSNJ1Oqo-fNWwF9ca4FbH~3nSIbbJ7UhLU2CGByo~LCS28-6QFlUAdvHXfoA975yQy3aaJh9Tf3WqMZNgWEC-3Jj6KKWlqGGfnKsOyIve~ZJ~pOvFlW6D1iJ-AVKVNswhtbrzpLAnrgiIDIXnFbyApdsxS4Zd7D29FxZ~aitooGi~MIqqjEPlf6cEiFMl4D~Nat4z6Dyx0c6NSkI-PLDTYX2~o~RV9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Helens School District 502 Board of Education on May 28 accepted the district's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, and approved a plan of action to address findings raised by ClearTrail CPAs.

The audit partner, Tara Camp of ClearTrail CPAs, told the board the firm issued an \"unmodified opinion on the basic financial statements,\" meaning the auditors expressed a clean opinion on the numbers presented by district management. Camp said the firm found one state compliance exception for a budget overexpenditure and reported two material weaknesses and one significant deficiency in the schedule of findings and questioned costs.

The findings included misstatements in the district's long-term debt summary and material errors in accounting for the Student Investment Account Fund, including pass-through payments to charter schools and deferred revenue not recorded at June 30, 2024. Auditors also noted multiple adjusting journal entries posted after the audit began because the books were not closed and finalized as required.

Christy Woodard, the district chief financial officer, presented a written plan of action the district developed with the auditors. The plan calls for correcting and reconciling the debt schedule, implementing semiannual reconciliations for pass-through revenues and deferred revenue, improving close and audit-preparation timelines so necessary journal entries are recorded before audit field work, and other controls intended to prevent recurrence.

Board members moved to accept the 2023-24 audited financial statements and then approved a resolution adopting the plan of action. Both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote.

Camp told the board audit work was hampered by turnover and by management not being fully prepared at the start of field work; she praised CFO Woodard and interim superintendent Dr. Karen Gray for cooperation during the audit and said auditors had no disagreements with management on accounting or auditing matters.

The audit and the board-approved plan of action will be posted on the district website, Woodard said.

Why it matters: The auditor's findings and the board's approval of a corrective plan affect the district's financial controls and public confidence going into adoption of next year's budget and any future financial oversight actions.","Board accepted an unmodified opinion on the district's 2023-24 financial statements, endorsed a corrective plan addressing two material weaknesses and a significant deficiency, and directed reconciliations and timing changes to improve reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents and residents press for accountability; recall effort, forensic-audit requests and allegations aired at board meeting

Board pulls several policies for later review; first readings include AI, restraint rules and 504 updates

Board approves new superintendent contract; names interim signers and budget officer

St. Helens board accepts 2023–24 audit, approves plan of action after ClearTrail review