Cascade, OR Superintendent Steps Aside as District Investigates Alleged Abuse Perpetrated By Teacher

Photo: Cascade High School in Turner, OR; via Wikipedia.

Rob Manning of Oregon Public Broadcasting reported yesterday that the Cascade School District (Oregon) announced that its superintendent will step down while an outside investigation reviews allegations that district officials mishandled reports of a teacher’s sexual misconduct involving students.

The district south of Salem, which enrolls about 2,700 students, said it recently received a lawsuit that “may raise concerns about our commitment to safety.” The $10.5 million complaint centers on former teacher Etta Archer Gross and alleges that Gross engaged in sexual misconduct with male students and that district employees failed to intervene despite prior knowledge.

According to the district, “the initial allegation in the lawsuit came by letter in late March/early April of 2025,” and officials said Gross was immediately placed on leave and that required reporting and investigative procedures were followed.

The lawsuit presents a different account, describing Gross’ behavior as an “open secret” among staff. It alleges that Gross groomed and abused students on and off school property, transported them to her home, provided alcohol to minors, and pursued inappropriate relationships with students. The complaint states that administrators, including Superintendent Darin Drill, who previously served as the school principal, were aware of misconduct and did not act.

The lawsuit states that the alleged incidents occurred within the five-year statute of limitations and includes detailed descriptions of multiple episodes of abuse.

The complaint also alleges that staff members knew Gross “would have a ‘dating relationship’ with male students” but failed to report or intervene. Oregon law requires teachers and other school employees to report suspected abuse to authorities.

The district’s public statement said Drill and School Board Chair Brett Stegall mutually agreed that Drill should step aside while the investigation proceeds. The statement also noted that the lawsuit includes separate accusations involving Drill, including claims that he was aware of student drug activity years earlier at the same school. Drill denied those allegations.

“While I vehemently deny these wild allegations against me from decades ago,” Drill said, “no matter who the employee is, even myself, an investigation should take place. It’s the right thing to do.”