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Students, victims urge St. Helens SD 502 board not to release former teacher Eric Stearns, call for resignations
Summary
During public comment at the Feb. 26 St. Helens School District 502 board meeting, students and adult victims read impact statements opposing any release of former teacher Eric Stearns, described alleged abuse, and urged board members to resign and for the district to hold administrators accountable.
Dozens of students and community members addressed the St. Helens School District 502 board on Feb. 26 to oppose the possible release of former choir teacher Eric Stearns and to call for board accountability.
The speakers, many identifying themselves as current or former students, described trauma they said resulted from interactions with Stearns and asked the board to prevent any release and to resign. Sophia (Sofia) Dube, who identified herself as “a junior at Saint Hans High School,” read a statement saying, “Eric Stearns is 1 of the most deceptive individuals that I have ever come to.” She described being 14 at the time and said Stearns “put his hand on my throat and persuaded me that it was a vocal exercise.”
The statements were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting; the board does…
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