Salem-Keizer teacher arrested on child abuse charges

Lauren Hernandez | Statesman Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Englewood Elementary teacher arrested on sex abuse charges Shane Ross, 40, of Turner was arrested by Salem Police detectives who believe he sexually assaulted a former student over the course of several years. Ross is listed as a physical education specialist at Englewood Elementary School in Salem.

A Salem-Keizer teacher is facing 15 counts of child sexual abuse involving a former student, according to officials.

Shane Ross, 40, of Turner was arrested by Salem Police detectives who believe he sexually assaulted a former student over the course of several years. Ross is listed as a physical education specialist at Englewood Elementary School in Salem.

He is facing five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, nine counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of second-degree unlawful sexual penetration, according to Salem Police Department.

Investigators said there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information regarding any concerning or inappropriate contact involving Ross to contact the Salem Police Department Tip Line at 503-588-8477.

Police said the Salem-Keizer School District cooperated with Salem Police Department's investigation.

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Jay Remy, public information officer for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, said Ross was placed on paid administrative leave on March 6, 2017.

Teachers are placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation. The status does not indicate guilt or innocence, Remy said.

He said it is not the district's practice to inform parents or staff of a teacher's administrative leave, but said the district will comply with any requests to inform the school community by Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Ross taught at five Salem-Keizer schools for more than 17 years.

He joined Houck Middle School as a physical education teacher in 2000 and left in 2001.

In 2002, he transferred to Parrish Middle School to teach physical education and computer education.

He remained at Parrish until 2011, when he transferred to teach PE at Schirle Elementary School and Rosedale Elementary School at the same time. He divided his time teaching at both schools until 2012.

In 2012, he transferred to Englewood Elementary School and taught PE until being placed on leave in March of this year.

Remy said teachers in its district must complete a fingerprint-based criminal history check through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and an additional background check administered by the district.

The human resources department also searches records from the commission and the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification for any history of disciplinary actions.

Reference checks of a teacher's current and former employers are also conducted in order to verify the individual was not subject to a "substantiated case" of sexual misconduct, Remy said.

In cases where a prospective hire was the subject of unsubstantiated claims of sexual misconduct, human resources would look further into the allegations and the circumstances of the claim.

Remy said human resources would consider unsubstantiated claims as a "major red flag." The district does not release personnel records of its teachers to the public, as they are not public record.

First-degree sexual abuse and second-degree unlawful sexual penetration are Measure 11 offenses that carry mandatory minimum sentences of 75 months in prison.