LONGVIEW, Washington — The superintendent of Longview Public Schools was arrested Thursday morning following allegations that district leadership deliberately attempted to suppress information regarding sexual abuse and hazing at Mark Morris High School.
Superintendent Karen Cloninger was taken into custody by the Longview Police Department. She faces multiple charges, including felony witness tampering, failure to report child abuse, and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Investigators indicated that additional charges are anticipated against Andrew Schoonover, the district’s Executive Director of Student Services, including failure to report and making false or misleading statements to a public servant.
The arrests are part of a broadening criminal investigation into reports that student athletes at Mark Morris High School sexually assaulted younger teammates. Authorities allege that school administrators failed to notify law enforcement or state officials despite being aware of the allegations for weeks. According to court records, one student was reportedly dragged into the varsity team room, pinned down, and partially disrobed.
Court documents state that Charles Paul Beckel, an assistant principal, initiated an internal inquiry on January 29 after learning of the allegations. Detectives assert that district leadership, including Cloninger and Schoonover, was continuously updated during the process. Cloninger allegedly pressured staff to manage the situation internally, warning employees that the incident could become a career killer.
Investigators allege that while staff members repeatedly voiced concerns regarding mandatory reporting laws and the necessity of contacting law enforcement, Cloninger instructed employees to figure this out internally and discouraged further discussion. Affidavits indicate that Cloninger told administrators not to put anything in writing to prevent rumors from circulating among students and the public.
Longview police leadership reached out to Cloninger directly on February 5 after rumors began spreading on social media. Detectives allege that she informed police that the district had already investigated the situation and resolved it internally. A letter sent to families from Mark Morris High School on February 8 characterized the online accounts as false rumors and speculation, stating that appropriate consequences had been issued.
The official law enforcement investigation did not begin until February 9, when a parent contacted police directly to report a sexual assault. Detectives subsequently executed multiple search warrants and uncovered evidence indicating that district officials withheld information from authorities for weeks. An investigator noted in the affidavit that Cloninger prevented multiple employees from reporting to law enforcement and commanded them to stand down.
Cloninger appeared Friday in Cowlitz County Superior Court. The judge ordered her to avoid contact with Longview students and witnesses involved in the case. Cloninger subsequently posted bail and is scheduled to return to court on June 10 for her arraignment. Her defense attorney denied all allegations during the court appearance.
The police department stated that the investigation remains active, and further arrests or charges may be filed. Longview Police Chief Robert Huhta noted that the investigation required considerable time, coordination, and evidence review, acknowledging the gravity of the case and the concern it has generated for students, families, staff, and the broader community.
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