Submitted photo

Ron Schlauch appeared in Lewis County District Court in Chehalis, Wash. on Oct. 10.

A former Hines Middle School (HMS) teacher, Ron Schlauch, was arrested by the Toledo Police Department and booked into Lewis County Jail on Sept. 11, 2023, after failing to appear at a arraignment hearing on Sept. 8, 2023.

Schlauch is being charged with 11 counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation stemming from Aug. 31 to Nov. 12, 2021, at Toledo Middle School in Toledo, Wash. Schlauch was released after he posted $11,100 bail on Sept. 14, and pleaded not guilty to all charges on Sept. 29. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Oct. 11, but was later rescheduled to Oct. 25.

If convicted, each charge can carry a maximum penalty of 364 days in prison.

Harney County School District No. 3 Superintendent Robert Medley addressed the situation by saying, “It is our district’s understanding that a teacher in Harney County School District No. 3, Mr. Ron Schlauch, is currently under investigation by a law enforcement agency in the state of Washington. As the ongoing investigation is located outside of the district, this release contains all the information the district is able to provide at this time.

Mr. Schlauch was hired during the summer of 2022 for the start of the 2022-23 school year. Mr. Schlauch cleared all background checks at that time with Harney County School District No. 3 and background checks through Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) licensing with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). The recent events led to Mr. Schlauch being placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 14, 2023, when we became aware of the charges stemming from the ongoing investigation. Mr. Schlauch resigned his position effective Oct, 20, 2023.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff continues to be our district’s top priority, and our doors are always open for our community when concerns and needs arise. The district office can be reached at 541-573-6811.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

For at least the next quarter at HMS, Mrs. Cate will teach Advanced and 8th-grade math during periods 1, 2, and 7. Mr. Burns will teach the 7th-grade math classes during periods 3, 6, and 8.

The district is currently seeking a qualified replacement.