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 on 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 in January and contacted Cloninger in early February, to ask whether law enforcement assistance was needed.
Employees with the district raised concerns internally 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 faces charges of tampering with a witness, failure to report, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Additional charges are forthcoming for Andrew Schoonover, the executive director of student services for Longview Public Schools, according to the police statement. Those charges include failure to report and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
Mark Morris High School has been the focus of an investigation into sexual assault allegations among students on the boys basketball team 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.
A court case involving two teen players is expected to take place in July. The teens accused in the investigation have been charged with 2nd degree rape, unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation, indecent liberties with forcible compulsion, and indecent exposure.
This story will be updated.
