FILE: Mark Morris High School in Longview, Wash. on March 3, 2026.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Longview Public Schools Superintendent Karen Cloninger was arrested by Longview police Thursday morning on charges related to obstructing an ongoing investigation into student sexual assault at Mark Morris High School.
The Longview Police Department said that district leadership learned of physical and sexual misconduct allegations as early as Jan. 29, 2026. Law enforcement staff contacted Cloninger in early February, to ask whether assistance was needed, but were informed the issue was being handled internally.
Employees with the district raised concerns about mandatory reporting obligations and whether law enforcement should be contacted, according to a statement Longview police released on Thursday.
“Investigators developed information alleging employees were directed by Cloninger to handle the matter internally and discourage further discussion regarding the incident,” the statement read.
Cloninger was put on administrative leave during an emergency meeting of the school board Thursday, district officials said.
“As a school district, we take our responsibility to protect the safety and care of our students very seriously. The allegations described by law enforcement are serious and troubling,” Acting Superintendent Patti Bowen wrote in a statement. “Our district remains committed to understanding the facts surrounding the alleged student and staff misconduct, cooperating with the ongoing investigation, following the law, and ultimately taking appropriate accountability action.”
Mark Morris High School has been the focus of an investigation into sexual assault allegations between players on the school’s varsity basketball team and at least four junior varsity members since February.
The allegations include a series of incidents where younger players were forcibly dragged into a school locker room and harassed or sexually assaulted by older players. Police incident reports describe hazing incidents that got out of control.
Cloninger faces one felony charge of tampering with a witness, and two gross misdemeanor charges: failure to report and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Cloninger started as superintendent of Longview Public Schools in February 2024.
Thursday’s statement from the Longview Police Department did not elaborate on the charges, but past police investigation records describe a search of Cloninger’s personal cellphone. Those records, obtained by OPB through a public records request, note that the device was used to discuss allegations about the Mark Morris case and messages were deleted from Cloninger’s cellphone.
“Based off the above information it appears Karen Cloninger is conducting Longview School District business related messages on her devices and emails and likely deleting public information,” wrote Longview Police Det. R. Gibbs in the March 5, 2026, incident report.
The reports also describe situations in early February in which district administrative staff discussed mandatory reporting related to the allegations but determined that “they were not obligated to report at that time.”
Additional charges are forthcoming for Andrew Schoonover, the executive director of student services for Longview Public Schools, according to Thursday’s police statement. The two gross misdemeanor charges include failure to report and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
A court case involving two of the varsity players is expected to take place in July. The teens accused in the investigation have been charged with second degree rape, unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation, indecent liberties with forcible compulsion, and indecent exposure.
