Note: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault. If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual assault, confidential support, information and advice are available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-4673. Text chat is also available online.

The 2,700-student Cascade School District announced late Monday that its superintendent is stepping down, as the district looks into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse complaints. The announcement comes after the district south of Salem said it received a lawsuit that “may raise concerns about our commitment to safety.”

The $10.5 million suit focuses on alleged abuse by teacher Etta Archer Gross and the school district’s inadequate response. The lawsuit alleges Gross would groom, pursue and have sex with male students, on and off school property, with the knowledge of other school staff.

According to the district, “the initial allegation in the lawsuit came by letter in late March/early April of 2025.”

The district contends that “[a]ll policies and procedures were followed for investigation and reporting to appropriate authorities, and the subject of the allegations was placed on leave immediately.”

The lawsuit, however, argues Gross’ sexual misconduct was an open secret for years, known by staff including Superintendent Darin Drill, who “was the school principal at the time of the acts alleged” in the lawsuit.

The complaint doesn’t name the students, identifying them only as John Doe and John Roe, nor does it specify exactly when the alleged abuse took place. The suit said the incidents took place within the five-year statute of limitations.

The 22-page lawsuit includes details of several abusive episodes involving each student, occurring at Gross’ home and at school.

The lawsuit summarizes the abuse as including “grooming behavior, unwanted touching, sexual assault and battery in the classroom and elsewhere, repeated phone calls to Plaintiffs’ family homes, transporting Plaintiffs from the school to Gross’ personal apartment to sexually assault, batter and sodomize the students, providing alcoholic beverages to minors, transporting Plaintiffs to sporting and other events for time alone with them, and wearing their clothing (for example, a numbered school football team jersey) during school days and hours.”

The complaint further states that staff knew Gross would have a “dating relationship” with male students, but they would not intervene. Under Oregon’s mandatory reporting laws, teachers and other school staff are among the occupations required to alert authorities when they suspect children are being abused.

In the statement on the district’s website, Drill and School Board Chair Brett Stegall agreed that the superintendent should step aside while the district hires an outside investigator to look into the allegations.

The district’s statement also acknowledges the lawsuit’s reference to previous impropriety involving Drill. In addition to being aware of Gross’ abusive behavior, the suit says that Drill allowed one of the student-plaintiffs “to exclusively sell marijuana on school grounds, and would notify Plaintiff in advance of any law enforcement efforts to quell drug dealing on school grounds.” Drill denies the 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.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/02/cascade-school-district-superintendent-teacher-alleged-abuse/