The Longview School District in Washington state has placed its superintendent, Karen Cloninger, on unpaid leave, with the decision taking effect immediately. The move comes two weeks after she was arrested in connection with how the district handled an alleged sexual assault on the campus of Mark Morris High School. The case has put the leadership of the district under intense scrutiny.
The underlying case dates back to earlier this year. Two students were charged in February with second-degree rape over an alleged assault on the high school campus. That case set in motion the questions that have now reached the very top of the school district's administration.
According to police, district leaders had been made aware of the matter a month before the students were charged. Officers say they contacted Superintendent Karen Cloninger about the allegation, and that they were told the matter was being handled internally. That account is central to the case now being built against her.
Cloninger was arrested in May on a set of charges tied to that response. They include tampering with a witness, failure to report, and obstructing law enforcement. The charges focus not on the alleged assault itself but on how the district leadership is said to have dealt with the information once it emerged.
The decision to place the superintendent on unpaid leave followed growing pressure over the case. The district said the step was effective immediately, signalling that it considered the situation serious enough to remove her from her duties while the matter is examined further.
The case has also stirred strong feelings in the community. Two weeks ago, some parents had harsh words for school board members at a public meeting. One parent said that if a child reported being touched inappropriately, they would call emergency services immediately, adding that it was sickening to think about how the matter had been managed.
In a statement, the Longview School District said it wanted to establish a clear and complete understanding of what occurred, how the matter was handled, and what steps might be necessary to strengthen student safety measures. It stressed that its responsibility was to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Cloninger is expected to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.