WA high school teacher resigns after more students come forward with sexual abuse allegations

The case was dismissed earlier this month due to the statute of limitations, according to the Vancouver Police Department, but more of Gatson's former students have since come forward with similar complaints, prompting his Tuesday resignation from Hudson's Bay High School.

"We do not wish to continue paying public funds for administrative leave any longer than legally necessary," the school district said in an email sent to parents and staff on January 14. "Because it allows us to take action now - rather than waiting for the outcome of an investigation and then taking any necessary action - we plan to accept the resignation."

Kim Kapp, a spokesperson for the Vancouver Police Department, told the Oregonian that the agency will continue its investigation into the new allegations.

A former student accused Gatson of sexual abuse when she was 16-years-old, according to court documents. The incident occurred in 2013 but was reported to police on December 2, 2024, investigators said. Gatson was taken into custody over the allegations on December 20, 2024.

A custodian witnessed Gatson reportedly engaged in sex acts with the 16-year-old victim in the school's band room. The incident was reported to the school, but both the teacher and the victim disputed the allegations, according to court documents. When the victim reported the charges to authorities last year, she said that Gatson pressured her into denying them. The victim stated that she decided to come forward because of the continued suffering she has experienced as a result of the alleged abuse, as well as her concern that there may be more victims. Gatson received a disciplinary letter in his file over the incident.

According to court documents, the relationship allegedly began after Gatson placed the victim in detention, and "sexual acts happened at both the home and the school."

During his first court appearance, Clark County prosecutors told the Court: "The allegations go back to 2013, but we're also aware of more recent allegations involving another student that happened in 2024. He also received letters of directions pertaining to interactions with females as early as 2009."

Additionally, prosecutors said Gatson was reprimanded by the school in 2017 for allegedly "failing to maintain a boundary" with two other female students.