ST HELENS Hours. (KPTV) – A crowd of parents and students from St. Helens attended a school board meeting Wednesday night after a former teacher and a current teacher at St. Helens.

Music history professor Eric Stearns, 46, and former professor Mark Collins, 64, were indicted on Tuesday on sexual assault charges. Among the charges are claims that the suspects inappropriately touched minors.

Superintendent of the St. Helens, Scot Stockwell, says the allegations have “sent shockwaves” through the community.

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At least 100 people packed the meeting hosted at Plymouth High School, while another 500 viewed via zoom.

Several speakers asked the school board why Eric Stearns was allowed to teach students during the two-month investigation.

Stockwell responded to this in the meeting by saying, “As part of working and cooperating with the District Attorney… The St. Helens was ordered not to disclose the existence of the investigation to avoid interfering with law enforcement.”

Groups of current and former students also spoke at the meeting, with one saying, “We want to be protected, we want to trust this school.”

Students shared their personal accounts of inappropriate encounters with Stearns and Collins.

Many parents frustrated by what they call a “history” of sexual assault and allegations of bullying in the school system say what they want more than anything is action.

Several speakers at the meeting called for the resignation of both Superintendent Stockwell and the principal of St. Helens, Dr. Katy Wagner.

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Stearns pleaded not guilty in his virtual arraignment Wednesday and his bond is set at $150,000.

Collins is no longer in custody. He posted bail on Wednesday and the court hearing is rescheduled for Thursday.

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