An Oregon school principal has resigned and a 13-year-old student has been arrested after a mysterious incident of sexual assault in a campus bathroom.
Principal George Scott resigned from his position at Jewell School in Clatsop County last Monday.
His resignation came after the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office took a 13-year-old student into custody on Dec. 5 after complaints of sexual abuse.
While details remain scarce, parents say the incident stemmed from there being a “predator” in the school bathroom.
Officers took the teen to a juvenile detention center and the case has been referred to the juvenile division and the district attorney’s office.
The school district had to cancel classes at the school, which runs from kindergarten through 12th grade, for two days while authorities investigated.
At last Monday’s school board meeting, the board acknowledged Scott’s resignation and said they would hire their own investigator to look into the sexual abuse claims.
The board said KPTV that they plan to have the outside researcher look back at the school district several years ago.
His resignation came after the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office took a 13-year-old Jewell School student into custody on Dec. 5 after complaints of sexual abuse.
Principal George Scott resigned from his position at Jewell School in Clatsop County last Monday
Parents had said at a meeting on December 9 that several complaints had been filed against the student who had been arrested in the past
Parents had said at a meeting on December 9 that several complaints had been filed against the arrested student.
At last week’s board meeting, one parent said, “We need to know how allegations are documented, investigated and reported.
‘We need to know how risks, safety plans, etc. are communicated to administration, to staff and then to parents and families.
‘It appears that the failure to take the reports and warnings about this student perpetrator seriously is largely due to an ex-director.’
The district’s superintendent also announced new policies regarding restroom attendance policies and mandatory hall passes.
It is hoped that changes to the policy will ensure that younger and older students remain more separated during the school day.
In a statement, interim district Superintendent Cory Pederson said, “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority.
“While we cannot release specific details about this incident due to privacy concerns, please rest assured that we are addressing the matter in accordance with our district’s policies and procedures to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students.”