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St. Helens board hears public outcry over mandatory-reporting language during first reading of policy revisions
Summary
During a first reading of revised policies on suspected sexual conduct with students, public speakers pressed the St. Helens School District for clearer mandatory-reporting rules and called for board accountability after alleged past failures to report abuse.
The St. Helens School District board held a first reading of revised policies addressing suspected sexual conduct with students and drew extended public comment urging sharper mandatory-reporting language and accountability for past handling of abuse allegations.
The proposed revisions — presented as recommended language from the Oregon School Boards Association to align with 2024 legislation — update the district's definition of “student” to include former students up to one calendar year after leaving school, a change administrators said implements House Bill 4160, effective July 1, 2024. Acting Superintendent Scott Webb summarized that change during the policy overview and said the draft will be used in screening and later readings.
Why it matters: Speakers told the board that the draft's…
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