Astoria, OR — An investigation is underway following a reported incident of sexual abuse involving two students at Jewell School, a small rural K-12 school in Clatsop County. The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school on December 5 after staff contacted authorities about the alleged abuse. A 13-year-old student was taken into custody and transported to a youth detention facility. The Clatsop County Juvenile Department is working in partnership with the District Attorney’s office to continue the investigation.
At a community meeting held on December 9, dozens of parents gathered at Jewell School’s auditorium to express their concerns about student safety following the incident. Interim Superintendent Cory Pederson led the meeting, acknowledging the gravity of the situation while stressing the importance of not disclosing specific details due to the ongoing criminal investigation.
“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Pederson told the group. “As a parent myself, I am deeply disheartened by what has occurred, and I understand your concerns. We are committed to doing everything we can to address these issues.”
Pederson confirmed that the student accused of the abuse was no longer on campus, though he declined to provide further details about the individual or the incident. He added that decisions about whether the student would be allowed to return to school would be made only after the investigation concludes.
In response to the incident, the school district canceled classes on December 9 and 10 to allow staff to discuss and implement new safety measures. These measures include mandatory hall passes for all students, the presence of hall monitors, and the introduction of educational resources aimed at increasing awareness about sexual abuse prevention.
Despite these efforts, many parents voiced their frustration during the meeting, expressing concerns about a perceived lack of transparency and accountability from school officials. Some parents noted that safety measures, while necessary, did not address the deeper emotional and psychological toll the incident had on the victim.
“All of the safety measures you’re putting in place now are great, but somebody’s entire life has been affected,” one parent said, addressing Pederson directly. “We need to hold people accountable, and you need to own this.”
Other parents echoed similar sentiments, calling for a more proactive approach to ensuring student safety. One parent stressed the importance of empowering students to report any concerns without feeling the burden of responsibility to “fix” the situation. “Our children should have voices,” the parent said. “But you guys need to own this. You need to make it right.”
Some parents suggested that more physical separation between elementary, middle, and high school students might help prevent future incidents. Specifically, several parents raised concerns about shared restroom spaces, advocating for younger students to have access to designated restrooms and restricting bathroom use during lunch and recess times. Pederson confirmed that the district had discussed potential changes, including having kindergarteners use restrooms in the school’s prekindergarten area.
The incident comes amid a period of significant turnover in the school’s administrative staff, which has led to further concerns about communication between the school district and the community. Several parents expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as inconsistent leadership, which they believe may have contributed to a lack of adequate response to the situation.
Pederson, who has only recently assumed the role of interim superintendent, acknowledged the challenges facing the district. “If you know who I am, you know how heartbroken I am and how much I want to help repair and fix this,” he said. “This is not just about policies; it’s about our children and our community, and I will do everything in my power to make sure this is addressed properly.”
As the investigation continues, the school district is working closely with local law enforcement and the juvenile department to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect students. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent actions will likely shape the district’s approach to student safety in the future.
The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional information regarding the details of the investigation or the identity of the involved students at this time.
