Students at Alder Creek Middle School walk out over allegations against substitute teacher

MILWAUKIE, Ore. — Students at Alder Creek Middle School in Milwaukie walked out of class Friday morning and staged a protest in response to allegations against a substitute teacher.

The details of the allegations are still unclear. In the most recent letter sent to Alder Creek Middle School families and students on Friday afternoon, Kelli Rhea, principal at the school said "a concern was brought to my attention that a substitute teacher may have engaged in behaviors that made some students feel uncomfortable."

The principal went on to say an investigation is underway that will include interviewing students. The substitute teacher will not be on campus while the investigation is ongoing, she added. 

The district said it is limited in what it can share publicly right now, and KGW has not been able to confirm the details of the allegations.

Dozens of students walked out Friday morning and gathered outside the school, holding signs and chanting.

School and district staff stood with the students to supervise and make sure everyone stayed safe, Rhea said. "Like any other school day, however, students were not allowed to move in and out of the building at will, so it was a slow process and many opted to remain outside." 

Students who participated in the walkout were marked absent from class. 

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