Third-party investigator continues Mark Morris probe; citizens threaten board recall
A third-party investigator is currently reviewing documents as part of a review of Longview School District policies related to student athletes and allegations of sexual harassment, while citizens say they are pursuing a recall for the district's board.
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Superintendent Karen Cloninger said in a prepared statement at Monday's Longview School Board meeting that the district is unable to share much information aside from a progress update because the investigation involves students and is related to an active law enforcement case.
"Although we can't give answers to our stakeholders, and I know that's frustrating, we are doing this correctly, and that is essential," Cloninger said.
The district hired the investigator, attorney Kathleen Haggard, to review its policies and procedures after receiving criticism for its response when several Mark Morris High School students were accused of sexual assault, and two were arrested on suspicion of rape last month.
Haggard's next step will be to schedule interviews, Cloninger said.
She also acknowledged that community members have expressed frustration about the board's policy of not responding to public comments at meetings, but said the policy is necessary and similar to policies in other school districts.
Board President Don Wiitala said the board appreciates comments, but is committed to allowing the investigations to play out properly.
"We are listening, and we care deeply about Longview's children," he said.
Recall plans
At the same meeting, former school board candidate Sean Turpin again said the district has not been transparent enough about the case and what is being done to protect students from future incidents.
"This is a choice - a choice to ignore the public, a choice to avoid accountability and a choice not to lead," he said during the meeting's public comment period.
He added that district residents have begun a recall process against the board, and said the members should step down before they are forced out.
State law allows voters to demand the recall of any public official if they believe the official is guilty of misconduct or has violated their oath of office. To do so, they must file a petition with the relevant elections office - in this case, the Cowlitz County Elections Office.
Once the petition is filed, the sponsors have 180 days to collect signatures equal to 35% of the total votes cast for all candidates for the official's position in the most recent election. If they meet that threshold, the elections office will declare a special election to vote on whether the official should be removed from office.
The Longview School Board had two seats on the ballot in November 2025. Deborah Pineda ran in an uncontested election with 8,626 total votes, while the race between Scott Beck and Susan Donahue received 11,308 total votes. In November 2023, the races for the other three seats each received about 10,000 votes.
Cowlitz County Elections Manager Hayley Johnson said the office has not received any documents or questions related to a recall effort as of Tuesday.
She added that successful recalls are rare, and the last time she remembers one reaching the signature stage was in 2011.
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