ST. HELENS, Ore. — Days after news broke of bombshell student sexual assault allegations by two teachers in St. Helens school district was shut down, the school board voted unanimously Friday night to place Superintendent Scot Stockwell on administrative leave.

Also on Friday, the district announced that St. Helen’s high school principal Katy Wagner was placed on administrative leave and board chairman Ryan Scholl resigned.

“Plans are being developed to continue school operations in a safe manner. These decisions were made thoughtfully and with a focus on transparency and accountability within our district. Our goal is to ensure a safe and positive learning environment, with clear steps toward addressing the issues. by our students, families and community members,” the district said in the announcement.

St. Helens School District announced it would be closed Thursday through Monday. It said it prioritized the safety of students and staff.

Stockwell did not participate in Friday’s nearly 16-minute virtual board meeting.

“The voices of student, parent and community concerns were heard loud and clear at our last meeting,” Acting Chair Trinity Monahan said during the meeting. “There were specific requests regarding what plans are being made, who will be held accountable and how to understand certain details and decisions that were made.”

On Tuesday, St. Helens police that they arrested a current and a former teacher in St. Helens High School accused of sexually assaulting students. The charges came after a two-month investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at the school.

The current teacher has been identified as 46-year-old Eric Stearns. According to the district’s website, he teaches choir. Court documents show he has been charged with seven counts of sexual assault.

The former teacher, 64-year-old Mark Collins, is also accused of touching minors inappropriately at school. He has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in the second degree and one count of attempted sexual assault in the second degree.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges during court appearances this week.

Students and parents gathered at The Village Inn Friday night, not far from the district office, to watch the virtual school board meeting. Dozens of students stood outside holding signs.

“I’m glad everyone came out and we’ve made great progress. The principal was put on administrative leave, but we’re hoping they’ll be fired instead of just the paid leave,” said Avlene Moore, a member of the St. Helens High School’s student government and organizer of a walkout and student protests.” That’s ultimately our goal, just to get them fired and get them off the school board. So we can start over and start the new policies and new rules so the students are safe for our schools.”

Marchella Shaefer, a teacher at Lewis & Clark Elementary School in St. Helen’s school district, said she has worked there for 28 years.

“I knew about this good boy club year one, and they protect, and they hide a lot of things, and it’s finally happening. I won’t lie, I was afraid to talk for a long time, and no more. You know, we have to protect our children, she said.

A day after the bomb allegations, hundreds of community members attended an explosive rally in St. Helen’s School District Board.

Parents contacted the district and told the board they had lost faith in them to keep their children safe.

“I feel like if this was our first situation, maybe that would allow the police to do the investigation, but the school district doesn’t have the best outcome,” said one community member.

Parents were particularly upset that the school did not immediately place Stearns on administrative leave when the investigation began.

One parent told the board, “You are willingly and knowingly putting my daughter at risk.”

The district claimed police told them Stearns would not be on leave, which the police denied.

Earlier this year, St. Helens School District a $3.5 million settlement with a former student at St. Helens High School when she sued, claiming the district failed to protect her from a teacher who posed a sexual danger.