Longview Superintendent Karen Cloninger Placed on Unpaid Leave After Arrest

The Longview School District placed Superintendent Karen Cloninger on unpaid leave effective immediately, according to a school board announcement on Monday. The action follows her May 21 arrest on charges related to allegations of obstructing a sexual assault investigation involving students at Mark Morris High School, as reported by KPTV.

Cloninger was initially placed on paid administrative leave at the time of her arrest. The school board stated the shift to unpaid leave is connected to an ongoing law enforcement investigation, two district-initiated outside investigations, and related court proceedings.

Three other district employees have also been placed on leave as these investigations proceed.

Why was Karen Cloninger placed on unpaid leave?

The unpaid leave follows allegations that district leadership obstructed an investigation into student sexual assaults. According to police, detectives contacted Cloninger on Feb. 5 after reports spread on social media. She reportedly told police the district had investigated and handled the matter internally.

Police opened an official investigation on Feb. 9 after a parent reported a sexual assault. Detectives say evidence found via search warrants raised issues regarding mandatory reporting and information provided to law enforcement. Records allegedly indicate some employees were told to discourage discussion and keep the matter internal.

Did You Know? Three other district employees were placed on leave alongside the superintendent amid the ongoing investigations into the handling of student misconduct.

What are the allegations regarding Mark Morris High School?

In February, two students at Mark Morris High School were arrested and charged with rape and sexual assaults. Court documents state these incidents date back to November of last year.

Longview Schools places superintendent Karen Cloninger on unpaid leave

A 14-year-old victim told investigators he experienced as many as six assaults by varsity team members since Thanksgiving. One allegation involves a student who was dragged into a team room, pinned down, and partially disrobed.

Detectives allege that Mark Morris High School staff and district leadership were aware of misconduct allegations as early as Jan. 29. According to police, Cloninger was informed of details involving multiple students.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the shift from paid to unpaid leave often signals a change in the district’s internal assessment of the evidence. The focus on “mandatory reporting” suggests the legal stakes center on whether officials followed state laws requiring the immediate notification of authorities in abuse cases.

What happens next for the Longview School District?

Cloninger is scheduled to appear in court this Wednesday for her arraignment. The outcome of this legal proceeding may influence her employment status with the district.

The district said in a statement that it seeks a “clear and complete understanding of what occurred” and how the situation was handled. This process could lead to new student safety measures to ensure a supportive learning environment.

The district’s two outside investigations may reveal further administrative lapses, which could result in additional personnel actions or policy changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Karen Cloninger arrested?
Karen Cloninger was arrested on May 21.

How many students were charged in the assault case?
Two students at Mark Morris High School were arrested and charged with rape and sexual assaults.

What is the district’s stated goal regarding these investigations?
The district stated it aims to establish a complete understanding of the events, evaluate how the matter was handled, and determine necessary steps to strengthen student safety measures.

How should school districts balance internal reviews with mandatory law enforcement reporting?