Parents and residents press Longview board for accountability on alleged Mark Morris abuses; call for transparency and resignations
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Summary
Multiple public commenters accused district leaders of withholding information about alleged assaults at Mark Morris High School, urged immediate personnel action and transparency, and said the district's public updates have been insufficient; the superintendent said a third‑party investigator has been engaged.
Several parents and community members used the board’s public‑comment period on March 9 to press Longview School District leaders for accountability and clearer information about alleged student sexual misconduct at Mark Morris High School.
Multiple speakers cited police documents and prior board minutes and said the district’s website and posted statements have not answered families’ questions. "Transparency is not a slogan. Transparency requires action," remote commenter Sean Turpin told the board, saying the district had posted the same statement for weeks without the substantive updates families requested.
Eric, who identified himself as a homeschool father, told the board he was "scared" and urged concrete safety steps such as DARE or reporting campaigns. Another attendee read an anonymous letter posted to social media that expressed support for a student who had come forward. Crystal Holdenaller, introduced by the chair as a parent and former board member, said her son was a victim of assault and that a staff member who saw violence did not document the incident; she urged mandatory reporting and conflict‑resolution practices to keep students safe.
Scott Beck, a parent, referenced a probable‑cause statement and accused certain administrators of knowing about incidents in late January and failing to file police reports; he urged termination of employees who knew and did not report. Speakers repeatedly asked whether any staff had been placed on leave pending the investigation.
The superintendent earlier in the meeting said the district has engaged attorney Kathleen Haggard of Haggard and Ganson to conduct an independent review of supervision of student athletes, staff training, and reporting practices, and that the district is conducting an internal review and cooperating with law enforcement. District leaders also said counseling and support resources are available and a web page has been posted with reporting pathways and updates.
The board did not announce personnel actions, investigations’ findings or a specific timetable for public releases at the meeting. The public‑comment segment concluded with a call from multiple speakers for resignations and firmer accountability; the president then adjourned the meeting.
The statements made during public comment are allegations; the district said it is supporting law‑enforcement and the independent investigator and that a full factual record is its goal before taking disciplinary action.
