Possible witnesses in suspended Longview superintendent case

The list of 50 witnesses who could testify against suspended Longview School District superintendent Karen Cloninger has been made public.

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Cloninger is suspected of withholding information from the police about suspected sexual abuse involving Mark Morris High School students on campus, as well as preventing her staff from reporting the allegations.

The list filed by the special deputy prosecuting attorneys for Cowlitz County includes local law enforcement personnel, Longview school district officials and juveniles.

Cowlitz County Superior Court records show 17 of the 50 listed witnesses are minors.

The Daily News is not naming the minors or their parents to protect the youth's identities.

Karen Cloninger

Karen Cloninger

Cloninger, 58, of Longview, pleaded not guilty last week to tampering with a witness, failure to report child abuse or neglect, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Her next hearing is July 29 with a tentative trial set for Oct. 19.

The witnesses

Longview School District

1. Charles Paul Beckel, assistant principal at Mark Morris High School.

2. Susan Lynn Donahue, Longview School District board member.

3. Karen Krauss Joy, executive director of employee services for Longview School District.

4. Matt Keevy, technology manager for the Longview School District.

5. Jason Christopher Mackey, assistant principal and athletic director at Mark Morris High School.

6. Rick Parrish, Longview School District spokesperson.

7. Holly Anna Pfenniger, executive assistant to the superintendent at Longview School District.

8. Andrew Schoonover, executive director of student services for the Longview School District.

9. Aaron Thomas Whitright, principal at Mark Morris High School.

10. Don Wiitala, Longview School District board president.

Longview Police Department

1. Chris Blanchard, sergeant.

2. Trevyn Delapp, detective.

3. Richard Gibbs, detective.

4. Matthew Hartley, detective.

5. Robert Huhta, police chief.

6. Branden McNew, captain and department spokesperson.

7. Gabe Medina, exact title not listed in public records.

8. Hieu Ngo, student resource officer at Mark Morris High School and Longview Police Department officer.

9. Nicholas Pannoni, detective.

10. Adam Surface, detective.

11. Levi Weatherl, detective.

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