St. Helens High School Principle Resigns—Klog 100.7 News

Another leadership shakeup has hit the St. Helens School District; high school principal Katy Wagner has officially stepped down. Her resignation follows months on administrative leave because of a high-profile student sexual abuse scandal involving two teachers.

Wagner has been facing multiple felony charges stemming from alleged failure to report. She was first placed on leave in mid-November and was later arrested on November 27th on charges of official misconduct and criminal mistreatment.

The charges are tied to the arrests of Eric Stearns and Mark Collins; both of them are accused of sexually abusing students—past and present—at St. Helens High School. The charges claim Wagner failed in her legal duty to act on these allegations, allowing the misconduct to continue from November 2018 through November 2024.

Wagner has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on bail. As part of her release conditions, she is prohibited from working in education or holding any role that includes mandatory reporting responsibilities.

In the wake of Wagner’s departure, Charlotte Ellis has been appointed interim principal, a role she will continue through the end of the school year. Ellis has accepted a job at the Ridgefield School District for next year.