I am a parent of a student who attended HCS for the last 4 years. Even before this story broke, we had decided our son would no longer attend the school as we had serious concerns with Mr. Mark Brown and his brother Joey who is the athletic director. Both men are very manipulative and have a habit of hiding issues from parents - they have become "buddies" with our students and use them to get their way. There are MANY parents who were not shocked at all to hear of this news. The parents you have spoken with that are in support of this man are members of the board and personal friends of Mark Brown. Maybe they are a bit worried now...I believe they (the board) should be held equally responsible as they had been approached by several parents earlier in the year who were alarmed to learn that they did not perform background checks on staff, including MB and they did nothing!

In answer to your question - the laws are way too lax on these perverts who prey on young teens!

We are the parents of two students who attended HCS for a year and a half ending (thankfully) last January. We can be included in the MANY parents Mrs. Bassett mentions in her comments that were not surprised by these events. Mrs. Bassett is also 100% correct in her assessment of the atmosphere at the school and where the responsibility lies for this mess. Finally, please note that we also agree with Mrs. Bassett's answer to the original question, i.e. yes, the laws are way too lax regarding these predators.

I am a parent of a 14, 12 & 8 year old. They have been at the school since kindergarten. That is ten years of history. I have been seeing "red flags" for sometime. I have a big problem with the current board who we now know did not do backround checks and who did not follow up with concerns from parents and teachers. They fostered an environment for his criminal and disgusting behavior. They also allowed him to fire veteran teachers who were respected, loved and highly skilled, who were fired for no other reason than they started to see him for what he is. I believe the board should be held accountable as well. They also have kept on his brother Joey Brown who has had complaints of inappropriate behavior against him. What are they doing about that???? I don't want the school run this way anymore. I remember when it was a parent-owned school and our opinions and concerns were heard and valued. That is not the case anymore. The "Christian" in Highland Christian School is a joke. I say we take our school back for our kids! Let me know if you agree!

We stand in unity with the parents here who have voiced serious concern about the degradation of values we hold so dear for our children. We have, like so many here, experienced the shift in morality from the very beginning of the new administration and have made our concerns known to many administrators. We also would echo our extreme disappointment with many of the Board's decisions; removing highly valued teachers, incomplete vetting of candidates (both staff and students), unbalanced emphasis on sports programs, and neglecting the need for a school counselor. We are not as shocked with this development as we should be because we have seen the signs for so long. We are deeply saddened, nonetheless, and our hearts ache for the damage done to those who should have been able to count on adults at this Christian school for safety, security and unselfish Godly Love.
As my wife and I have been considering these conditions for some time now, we had decided to Home School our two daughters at the end of this last school year. Now, however, we are compelled by conscience to come together with the other parents and, as stated by our friend, take our school back.

God will not be mocked!

I was a student at HCS this last year. I am 14 years old and have been going to that school for 4 years.
I am surprised that the board let it get this far. yes, I am saying that they could have stopped it. I have went to the administrators many times with issues that was going on in our school. they did nothing. But I still didn't stop informing them. When I told the school counselor about my friend having problems at home it could have been taken care of by calling CPS right then and there.The principle did not need to get involved with her. I can't believe you didn't see that anything was going on when she was called to the office 7 times a day. Alone with the principle. But now she may have been raped and its on your shoulders on judgment day. You know who you are. But we will be strong and get our school back. God is with us always. I am keeping Mrs. Brown and her new born baby boy in my prayers.

We are the parents of two students who attended HCS for a year and a half ending (thankfully) last January. We can be included in the MANY parents Mrs. Bassett mentions in her comments that were not surprised by these events. Mrs. Bassett is also 100% correct in her assessment of the atmosphere at the school and where the responsibility lies for this mess. Finally, please note that we also agree with Mrs. Bassett's answer to the original question, i.e. yes, the laws are way too lax regarding these predators.

I am a parent of a soon to be senior at HCS. My child has been attending since 2002 her 7th grade year. For the majority of our time at this school we have been pleased with the leadership and staff. We started to question the actions of our “Board” when a little over 2 yrs ago they removed a principal secretly and brought in Mr. Brown in interim. When a few board members were asked about this; their response was “the school is moving in a new direction and it’s a good direction”. We still don’t know the real reason that very capable principal was removed. We were told Mark Brown was only brought in because he had experience in Education Administration and he was going to help our school move in this new direction and help us grow. That following year without even a word to the parents Mark Brown became our principal. At that time I made the choice to trust the Board Members that we as parents voted in, I now have come to regret that decision. I will ask now the questions I have been asking myself for the last 2 years… Who brought Mark Brown to our school? What is his work experience and qualifications? Who did a back ground check? What is his experience working with children?
Since working at HCS Mark Brown has done a lot of good too. He has been instrumental in raising our student numbers by 50% and bringing sports such as football, wrestling and girls’ softball. These sports and new students have been a wonderful addition and I am very thankful for them. However, I have to ask myself at what cost????? We sit here today still waiting to hear any sort of response from our Board regarding the current problem with Mark Brown.
Parents, I agree with Mrs. Miller lets take our school back! Without all of us parents bringing our precious children to that school there wouldn’t be a need for a Board, Staff or school. Where is our respect? We should’ve heard about the first arrest let alone all of this stuff from our Board not the media. I am in shock that our Board has still not tried to set up a meeting with parents to try and help us get through this. I had to hear on the 6 o clock news that Mark Brown was fired. I should’ve been notified by my school!!!! I no longer feel I can trust our board members. They are ultimately responsible for what we are going through right now.
Parents, let’s rally together in prayer and leadership and not let the actions of a “few” define the integrity of our school. Our school didn’t make the decision to be inappropriate the Board put one person in charge to do that!
My prayers are with all the families affected by this situation!

I have a daughter in middle school at a small Christian school in the area (not Highland) and have been debating where to send her for high school as our school only goes up to 8th grade. I can say with certainty that Highland is no longer an option for us. For the board to have even considered hiring this man without doing a background check on him is appalling.

We had two daughters at HCS these past two years, and like so many others not without incident. We had some very serious harassment issues about Joey Brown. We, after several breeches in confidentiality, knew we couldn't trust Mark Brown and wrote a letter to the Board. We have never received a reply or any comments concerning our issues. We have decided not to send our last daughter back to HCS. We do agree that the Board should be held responsible. Several people we know have checked into the past of these two brothers without any problems. Why didn't the Board do the same? Anyone, be it a teacher, student, or board member, who went up against Mark Brown was either expelled, fired, or kicked off the board. Then they go on television with all the previous allegations, from parents, students, and board members, and say they back Mark Brown 100%. What were they thinking. Did they forget there is a little 14 year old girl who may have been victimized. This alone shows lack of good judgement. I feel the law is very lax for adults committing any sex crime. These children are innocent and will carry the scars for life.

God. This school doesn't need to just fire a couple of people, it needs an entire housecleaning front to back. Jail time for those that break the law as well. What in the HELL has been going on in that place?? Parents see 'red flags" and all the tell-tale signs of major problems and most just sit, watch and wonder?? These school admin's and leaders need to see a boat load of parents storm there offices right now who close the door behind them so no one can get out, and get to the bottom of problems like this. Lynch mob mentality has a home for these kind of people. Dirty little secrets like this will be exposed. Check your bibles and bylaws parents, the criminals come in all colors shapes and sizes and gender. Prayer doesn't fix a thing in this case. Handcuffs will however..

My children have attended HCS for 7 yrs. I have seen many changes over the coarse of time, some good and some bad.
Mark Brown is not HCS, the parents, staff & students are the school. So it disheartens me to see so many people pointing fingers at the board. If everyone had all this information about Mark B and didn't contact boardmembers personally numerous times, where does the responsibilty lie? All mail would have gone through the office, so maybe it never made it to the board.
CPS was contacted, thats on record.
Instead of placing blame lets fix the problem and move forward. Everyone who knew "something" and did nothing or had no follow through is to blame. If you said you sent a letter to the board and had no response, why did you stop trying? Where was your follow through?
Stop pointing fingers at the board and start taking personal responsibilty. You want to "take back our school" take it from whom?
Lets start "taking back our school" by banding together and supporting those who are trying to pick up the pieces and move on.

Our daughter attends HCS, the last few days have been difficult and painful for us. We too, found out, not from the school board, but from TV.

Instead of pulling our daughter out of HCS, we want to take our school back.

I hope this is a wake up call for parents. A "Christian" school does not necessarily equal Christian administartors, teachers, etc. I find it interesting that families of this school are required to attend church & yet I know one staff member who hasn't attended church in over 30 years!

I have also been involved in the school system for a long time & am well aware of the cover ups, lies, deceit, etc that goes on in the school systems. It's VERY difficult to infiltrate. The checks & balances need to be in place BEFORE these people are hired. Why are people with no teaching degree being allowed to teach or run schools? Why are backgroud checks not done by "neutral" commitees? Too many teachers are hired by "friends" & any background checks are covered up or not disclosed.
And school boards cannot be trusted. Often they will protect the teachers/administrators that they favor. And speaking up often comes at a cost, eps. in a private school. They can fire you for no reson & you have no recourse.
There is a sickness going on in this land & our schools are havens for child molesters. I fear the Christian school more than the public ones) It is sickening that so many people support these people over innocent children. I saw the father of the accused call the alledged victim a troubled girl....exactly! These are the types of kids the perps go after! CPS should have been notified the minute this girl expressed problems at home. It sounds like MANY people dropped the ball.
Parents need to be diligent & not just trust the school board to monitor the teachers who are guiding their children. Your children & their safety are your responsibility. Stand up & be heard & don't stop until you are heard. If people had started pulling their children out of the school at the first signs of problems, maybe action would have been taken before it came to this. I would not have tolerated my child being in that situation even 1 day!

JG "Mark Brown is not HCS, the parents, staff & students are the school."

That's right HCS is not Mark Brown let me remind you of what the order should be Jesus Christ FIRST then parents, etc.
You call it "pointing finger" it's called
- Discerning (Good Judging)
* Exposing
* Correcting and Rebuking

The truth is The Board did not follow correct procedures when they chose to hire Mark Brown & yes they need to be held accountable for that decision. You can't just "pick up the pieces & move on" when we were not told the truth & led to believe “the school is moving in a new direction and it’s a good direction” . We were told Mark Brown was only brought in because he had experience in Education Administration & he would help us move in a "good direction" I agree with concern ....

"Like they say first time shame on you second time shame on me".

Our children will NOT be back to that school. I don't care what kind of contract was signed ( that's a whole other blog subject)

JG We haven't been at the school for very long. We weren't sure of who the board members were. After finding the names we couldn't get numbers from anyone. There isn't even a school directory. We were also told by Mark Brown and Mrs. Tyner that Mark handled all these kinds of problems, and if not handled right he would have to answer to the board. We were told proper dicipline action was taken and we needed to trust him. Still there was a severe breech in confidentiality that put our children at risk, and harasment continued. We then found out from an outside source the name of a board members wife
that would talk to us. We called and she encouraged us to write a letter. We did and her husband said he would look at it if we brought it up to his house the next morning. We drove 40 minutes to his house to make sure it got into the right hands. We didn't hear back from him so we called Him (he was on vacation) and were told that he did give it to the board and that we would have to wait because a mediator was looking things over. Maybe board members names and numbers should be posted?? Just wondering are you a board member??? If so was there a background check?????? I'd check up on Joey Brown if I were you!

I write this as a Grandmother whose two granddaughters attended HCS. My heart grieves to hear what has taken place at the school. My heart and prayers go to this young girl. We as adults are responsible to be there to protect all children and be their eyes and ears and when we abuse this position it saddens the world. The Board owes these families an explanation on why they did not take their roles seriously. Yes the laws are far too lax when it comes to sex offenders...this is not a sickness this is all about POWER.

Once again, my heart and prayers go to this young girl and all who are hurt by this. For every adult who disappointed this young girl may she some day soon be guided and protected in twofold.

May God's Words as well as The Law Prevail!!!!

Kathi L I find it hard to believe you could not find out who the board members were. There was an annual meeting in April,announced to everyone. the board members were all present and on the stage up front. Sorry to hear you made an attempt at bringing your concerns to the board and got nowhere. I applaude you for at least trying,most who are now pointing fingers probably did nothing.No I am not a board member although I do know several.I firmly believe the board that hired Mark B felt they were doing what was best for the school at that time. They were not lieing to us, though it appears they were lied to. The question in my mind now is "what next?" If the pastor in your church has an affair with the secretary and runs off with her, what do you do? Do you attack the board that hired the pastor, do you try to destroy the church so this will never happen again? Now I know what you are thinking, "But this is different. The safety of my child is at stake here." I hear you, but think of it this way. After what HCS is going through right now I guarantee you that nowhere else in the state will a prospective principal be under more scrutiny than the one that HCS will be hiring. If you go to another school, Christian or not, it is unlikely the principal there will have gone through as rigorous of an investigation as HCS's new principal undoubtably will.

JG - your initials make me wonder if you are the husband of a particular board member. Maybe that is why you are trying so hard to shift the blame to parents?? Either way parents HAVE approached board members (verbaly & written) dating back to the time this man was being considered for the position. That is a fact that cannot be denied. Too many people who all experienced the same thing. The current board has taken a very "hands off" approach and did not WANT to know the truth. They didn't want to take the time. Almost all decisions were made by and power given to Mark Brown. Exactly how many "numerous" times did you expect people to approach before we realized that our questions were being ignored? The board had a responsibility to have proper procedures in place and do everything within their power to make sure that our students were safe. When you hear people talking about "taking back our school" they are referring to the fact that we will no longer stand for a board that chooses to dictate and refuses to receive input from parents and honestly seek God's will above all else. HCS is not owned by the board it is owned by the parents and it is the parents who should have a vote on whether each board member should stay or go. We also expect board members to go through the same background & reference checks that should be in place for staff. We will not support those who are so ignorant as to suggest we simply "pick up the pieces and move on". We all make mistakes but so far I have not seen a single board member step up and take responsibility for their role in all of this.

ledog 3 and "concerned" - Much of what you had to say is true but parents did NOT just "sit, watch & wonder". Until recently there was not enough evidence to bring about formal charges and many of us had only suspicions that something wasn't right. It is impossible to group all parents together and judge without knowing all the facts in each individual situation. Numerous families did in fact leave the school when their concerns were ignored. Mark Brown effectively reduced the ability for parents to easily communicate with each other and board members by eliminating the family directory. Until this recent crime was exposed many parents had never even met. We are now discovering many small pieces to a puzzle that is becoming one big clear picture.

In response to "a Christian school does not necessarily equal Christian administartors, teachers, etc. I find it interesting that families of this school are required to attend church & yet I know one staff member who hasn't attended church in over 30 years" - thank you for pointing out this fact as it has been one of the many concerns that was ignored!

I cannot get past the fact that the Board did not immediately call a meeting with all parents when they first learned of the allegations. It appears that the secular world is ahead of you here. Arrogance may come into to play here, I think.

JG - You said "If the pastor in your church has an affair with the secretary and runs off with her, what do you do? Do you attack the board that hired the pastor, do you try to destroy the church so this will never happen again?" HUH??? The board is not being "attacked"...it's called "accountablity". Maybe if they understood this concept we wouldn't be in this position. And no one is trying to "destroy" the school...we intend to "restore" the school and stand for truth and righteousness. Hmmm...looks as if you may be a big part of the problem. If this sounds foreign to you maybe you are one of the ones who needs to move on and would feel more comfortable somewhere else. Maybe a "private" school with no "Christian" affiliation. So far none of what you have said makes any sense from a Biblical standpoint. Your comments are more focused on making sure the school goes forth and not one mention as to what really matters.

JG wrote: All mail would have gone through the office, so maybe it never made it to the board.

Interesting, to say the least. Who does receive and read the letters? Why wouldn't the letters make it to the Board?

JG wrote: Everyone who knew "something" and did nothing or had no follow through is to blame. If you said you sent a letter to the board and had no response, why did you stop trying? Where was your follow through?

The Board is not a government bureaucracy responsible for the oversight of an entire city. This is a school with 240 students. How many letters must be written before the Board takes notice? Is the Board not responsible to respond to parents' concerns until they have received 2 letters? 3 letters? 4..5?

Allow me to answer my own question.

No follow-through is required of the parent. The responsibility of follow-through lies with the Board. Concerns that have been voiced and put in writing multiple times by multiple parents should have been responded to IMMEDIATELY. These concerns I speak of were specifically about sexual harassment, lude behavior and rampant drug use. One letter is ENOUGH!!!! One voice is ENOUGH!!!!

I just wanted to thank all the parents and family members who have taken the time to enter comments on this Blog. All of us parents just want a forum in which to get our questions out and to voice our feelings. We are not getting that chance through our school. Thank you King 5 for allowing us this chance.
I want to respond to JG... Maybe you shouldn’t take this so personally. When something happens in any kind of business or corporation the boss/board have to take the responsibility for the people who fall under their leadership. When a builder screws up building a house the occupant comes looking for the builder not the laborers. You comparing a pastor having an affair to a child possibly being raped is completely ignorant!!! A 14 yr old girl cannot be compared, in any capacity, to two grown adults committing adultery!!! SHAME on you for even saying it!
I’ve recently heard through the grapevine that the Board did do a back ground check on Mark Brown. GREAT! I’m very happy to hear that, however, I shouldn’t have had to hear it through the grapevine. Again where is our Board? They’re having a meeting amongst themselves in private locations. They will have to, at some point, stand up and take responsibility; that is their job! The sooner the better if you ask me. Why is it that the parents can organize a prayer meeting and a parent meeting for next week but the Board has done nothing? It looks to me that the ones trying to move passed this are the parents not the Board. Remember this is not a personal attack on individuals; this is bringing the Board collectively into accountability for not taking the proper steps in dealing with this situation. If you cannot handle being accountable then don’t put yourself in the place of leadership.
JG, it sounds to me that by down playing parents concerns and dumping blame onto parents isn’t promoting unity either. We can’t really “move forward” with that attitude can we? All these comments and throwing blame could all be diverted if our Board would just have an emergency meeting with the parents and staff. Our real concerns now lie with our Board not Mark Brown.
I do know that the HCS parents love this school and we are all praying for God’s will to be done.

I would first like to say i am proud to attend Highland Christian. I feel it such a blessing to go somewhere where i can express my love for God anytime during school

James 1:3-5
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith dvelops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

God is testing our faith in him in this great trial we are facing. As christians we can be like the rest of the world and point fingers at each other blaming people for mistakes, or we can take this trial like God wanted us to and come together as one for Christ!

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from our God."

In this troubled time take the time to spend quality time with other people who are having a hard time dealing with these trouble times. take them out to lunch call them or send them a letter.

wddwdw

Fire the School Board and start over.

Luke 16: 10
He who is FAITHFUL in small things, is also FAITHFUL in the bigger things.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8 "HAVE THIS ATTITUDE IN YOURSELVES WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO ALTHOUGH HE EXISTED IN THE FORM OF GOD, DID NOT REGARD EQUALITY WITH GOD A THING TO BE GRASPED, BUT EMPTIED HIMESELF, TAKING THE FORM OF A BOND-SERVANT, AND BEING MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN. AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF BY BECOMING OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS."

I am a teacher at Highland Christian and although this is a very dark and sad time for the school, I must say without any hesitation or reservation that there is not another place that I would rather be. Words cannot and will never be able to express the tremendous honor, joy, and blessing to my life and walk with the Lord that working with, serving, and ministering to these kids has been and will continue to be. Unfortunately, I believe that the majority of you who have posted comments on here have lost sight of these awesome kids and have clothed your anger, hurt, disappointement, and need for answers in a supposed concern for these kids best interest, when in reality, your comments are more reflective of your hurt, your pain, your rights. The last time that I checked God's Word (and this is what the majority of us claim to live by), this is not the attitude of Christ.
I cannot speak on behalf of the board and yet I do believe that both as individuals and collectively, they would be willing to admit that they have made mistakes and possibly some very serious ones. But you know what? They, neither can we get those days and decisions back. I'm sure that all of you would agree that each day is a tremendous gift from the Lord so with that in mind, let us join together hand in hand and arm in arm to rebuild the broken down and devestated walls of Highland Christian. When Nehemiah saw the wall of Jerusalem broken down and its gates burned with fire, it says in Nehemiah 1:4, "Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven." After this, there was no fingerpointing done on his part and he could have done quite a bit of it but his response was to join hand in hand and arm in arm with his fellow Jews to ARISE AND REBUILD! I am certainly not excusing serious oversights and misteps that the board may have made but if it was you or me, can you honestly say that your service would be faultless and unable to be scrutinized in any form or fashion? We all know the answer to this regardless of how many excuses or buts or anything else you may choose to come up with to make yourself feel better. Why not rather come alongside the board admonishing and rebuking where necessary so that each of us can be presented as complete in Christ so that we can do this for our kids. I love each of you very much but if you are going to be a hindrance to ARISING AND REBUILDING the broken down walls by backbiting, complaining, gossiping, and criticizing, it is good for you to move on because Highland only through the sustaining of God's Hand is going to move forward with or without you. With would be preferable and beneficial. Shalom and God Bless.

With love in Christ,
Anthony Favors

It really seems to surprise me, I remember now that in early june the school was calling parents to sign new contracts. In fact, several calls were made to ensure parents resigned contracts for the next year by mid june. Was this because they knew what what coming. Posts indicate that this started June 6. It was a little after that date, that phone calls from the school went out.

Not knowing Mark Brown well, Im surprised by what has happened. Surely we thought when the news first broke, that this was a mistake. That the Lord would not allow someone like this to come into our school and do this to our kids. That this has to be a mistake but as each day passes and more information is released. It seems to reason that Mark Brown would not have been indited if the sheriffs office didn't have enough substantial information to go on. The laws may say your innocent till proven guilty. But what about the rights of our children to be protected. Remember this child. She could have been your daughter and what has happened here to her. Every parents concerns are correct. What if, Should we take our children to new schools? should we home school? If this happened in public school there would be no question, the children would stay there and get an education and the teachers who violated the rights of the children and parents would be removed and prosecuted. Not once have I read to keep this child in our prayers, not one have I heard in the posts anything about this one lost child who was a victim or her family. Remember her and her family, and keep them in your prayers. Don't allow Satan to come into our school and destroy what was built. rely on the lord and he will stand strong with us, he will comfort us, and watch over us. To the board, all I can say is shame on you. If you didnt do background checks, more shame. But also note that if a teacher is not charged with a crime, according to the herald without calling a police department and asking the right questions, there would have been no way for them to know. May God Bless each of your families and give you guidance in this time of need. I pray that he comforts all of us and helps each and everyone to make the right decisions when it comes to our childrens educations and where they will be attending school next year.

I am so tired of the ignorant few coming on here and saying we are "pointing fingers and placing blame". This is not a personal attack against anyone but we are called to be accountable for our actions...every one of us. We need to make sure that the people that are in a position of authority are qualified and able to make sound decisions. I thank my Savior for the grace He has shown me and extend that same grace and forgiveness to all involved. That does not change the fact that there are some very serious issues that need to get worked out. I am hopeful that the school will be restored but this can only happen if everyone is willing to get on their face before God and be completely transparent and honest with ourselves and others. We need not fear man, but God ALONE!!

Anthony Favors - you have done an excellent job in quoting Scripture. We could all use certain verses to try to back up our positions (something MB was good at too). I would caution you to be careful with this. The Bible has a whole lot to say but needs to be viewed in context and as a whole. You failed to mention the many verses that speak of accountability & upholding righteousness. How can you even suggest that the parents who have expressed concern have "lost sight of these awesome kids" or that we have "clothed anger, hurt, disappointment, and need for answers" suggesting we don't really have a true concern for these kids best interest? THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR RIGHTS, OUR HURT OR OUR PAIN. You mention that the majority of us claim to live by God's Word...claiming to live by it and doing it are two very different things. I am sure you have noticed the great number of families who are now involved in our school that do not show any fruit or bear any witness to the fact that they are saved. Teachers have expressed concern about this in the past. How can you, as a BIBLE teacher view any of these valid concerns as "backbiting, complaining, gossiping, and criticizing"? You say it is good for us to move on and that it would be preferable & beneficial if we did - well I believe you just may get what you are asking for! I for one cannot continue to support this school, board and staff members who are so completely irrational.

Let me repeat myself. The Board has not convened a meeting with the PARENTS, to this day. How many days have gone by since they knew of these allegations?
Did Nehemiah call the people together when the walls were to be rebuilt?
Now I'm pointing a finger.

I am not a person involved with highland but did know Mark in the past. Your board should be held accountable. Not for the lack of a criminal background check, since that would not of helped. MB had no criminal background, only alligations. They should be held accountable though from thier lack of ever possibly checking on his creditials because he has NONE! I worked with MB as a landscape laborer no more than a year before my fiance told me he was hired as a principal. I nearly choked on my dinner. I knew at that time that MB had only some part time education at ECC and minimal student teaching experience 6-8 weeks max!
Rest assured though, you folks are not the only ones he's duped in the past. My employer released him based on his obvious lack of experience in the landscape industry. He claimed to have been a designer/installer for a decade. A claim that came into question from his first day on the job.

The board has not called a meeting but a huge group of parents have called an emergency meeting scheduled to be held this Friday night at a neutral location. The board has been notified and invited to attend. We are making attempts to contact as many families & staff members as possible, however the lack of a current directory limits us as to how many we are able to reach. We are trying to spread the word and welcome anyone who has been involved with the school at any point during the last two years. Because of the public nature of this blog we cannot post specific details but are in the process of contacting those whose names have been included in blog posts expressing concern. We are doing our best to get the word out.

How can parents of new incoming students attend this meeting?

I had a lot of anxiety last night about this situation and how everyone is feeling. I feel lost and very emotional. I don't know how to start picking up the peices and moving forward. I kept looking to the leadership of the school to help me do that, I knew God would help me through this but I wasn't relying on Him alone. I woke up this morning and found this verse and it's working on my heart.
Isaiah 58:8-12
"Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your RECOVERY will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry and He will say "Here I am". If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking of wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell"
I feel like God is saying the "ruins”, "the scorched places" and "the age-old foundations" are our school and we (the parents, staff and Board) are the ones who have to “raise" it up and be the "repairers" the "restorers". I want to "be like a watered garden" "like a spring of water whose waters do not fail".

i have no conections to the high school, however iam a dear and close friend of the browns
i am here to defend them they are not what people are saying Mark and Joey are both kind loving people that will give you their shirt off their back or their last 5 dollars in their pocket.They both have been raised by two loving parents that have taught them to be the best they can be. The browns have been there for me in a postion in my life that no child should be put in, i will keep giving them my support as they did for me when i needed it.
As for the girl that is involved in this i feel for her (i truely do). however her own best friend said on national t.v she was lying this is a cry for help and i believe Mark Brown did just that was trying to help her

WOW...that verse is awesome Jami. We do need to come together in unity to repair and restore. I am just praying that all involved will be able to do that in the proper way without ignoring or minimizing the issues that got us into this position in the first place.

For the record, a background check is not simply checking to see if a person has a criminal history (only formal charges and convictions would be shown by this). It should also involve a thorough investigation of a person including personal and professional references & recommendations from prior employers. The credentials and experience of an individual need to clearly match the position he or she is applying for as well.

I understand the concern and reservations that new families have in their children being registered for the upcoming school year. Someone posted a comment asking how they can be involved in the meeting. We have forwarded this matter to the school and have asked them to contact all new families directly.

We have 2 children at HCS, we've been there for 5 years. When we found out Mrs.Troll was removed
that was really hard for our family to accept. We did find out that she needed to go? Not sure the real reasons behind it all? This year I found out that Mr. Brown wanted her gone immediatly. His agenda is all making since now.
My children had known the Browns and were very surprised to see MB in the position he was in. In 05/06 year My child would tell me what was going at school. No Bible, No Prayer, Mr. Underwood was to be the teacher and all he seemed to talk about is himself and literature. I brought these concerns to MB, I also asked him about his personal walk with the Lord and the witness in the room answered for him, that he was plugged into fellowship and had personal acountability.
We also questioned him about letting unchurched families into the school? As we considered it a privilage to attend HCS. That did not seem to be the case any longer. As the year went by we learned lots of famlies and staff members did not belong to a church?
I did not know who was on the board and did not have a family directory. Leaving the school was very hard for us. We love alot of people there.
We must take back our school and re-elect new board members. Before the law suits come??

I am not a Highland parent, but I have many close friends that are. I even teach several Highland students in a Sunday School type setting. My heart goes out to you parents and staff. I can only assume that this is a horrible experience for you to go through. The emotions you must be experiencing are intense to say the least. My prayer for all of you is that God will grant you the GRACE to resolve this situation in a manor that will bring Him HONOR and GLORY. You all bear an AWESOME responsibility to walk this path in front of your children in a manor that causes them to see His hand at work. This is a spiritual battle (not a battle against flesh and blood)and it will be won on your knees!!!! You can be proud of yourselves if you are already doing spiritual battle... KEEP IT UP!!!!

Some of you have mentioned background checks. Yes, it is true that if/when a background check had or was done, it would not have shown the alligations... however, contacting previous employeers would have brought up these issues. So yes, whoever hired MB did not fully use their resources. On the other hand, when he came to work at HCS, was an application even filled out? I honestly don't know, he just showed up one day. But I do want to say in defense of the board, many of the current board members were not on the board when he was hired. And two of them are brand new, stepping into their roles back in April or May.
I am very involved in the school, I will not say how so, but lets say I am there MANY hours each week. I have had a few clashes with MB, however, nothing that would really lead me to believe he would or could do what he was charged with. It was more lies and witholding information. However, I was distrubed to learn one day that he did encourage my child to move away if he felt unsafe and uncomfortable.
But on the other hand, MB has done a lot of good for the school... and whether his intentions were true for just that, growing the school, or other things, we may never know... but honestly at this point, it doesn't matter. Whats done is done and praise God that we have made so many great changes! I admit that not all of them are working out, but that is what making changes is about... trial and error.
I believe we can move forward from this. We can't "forgive and forget", but we can get back to where we need to be and focus on the next school year.
Please keep in mind that this is only probable cause at this point... there is not hard evidence pointing that this did indeed happen. Yes, his past issues points that this could very well have happened. I have heard both sides, and have heard the police side as well. And honestly, a lot of it isn't making sense right now. Someone is lying and making up an awful lot of garbage. But until the truth is found out, if ever, we need to be in prayer for the truth to prevail and for MB and his family and also for the girl involved.

I think its horrible that the school was supporting him and standing behind him while these charges were being filed! Its insane! Its basically like calling that girl a liar before they know the whole story. Not only that but if I remember correctly they were giving him paid time off...???!! What is that?! The school board over there sounds horrible. I hope that guys gets whats coming to him, what a sicko.

I can understand all of your concern for your school, your kids, your staff and your parents. LF says it's like the school was calling the girl a liar before they know the whole story. Has anybody heard the whole truthful story yet. It seems like to me I've only heard some of the girl's story through our media which seems to put people on their own trial. If it is proven none of the accusations are true has anyone considered MB and his families feeling and what they are going through?

I am the head softball coach at Highland Christian... as a staff member of the school I want all of us... those who are a part of the school in any way... or those just reading this blog to remember we need to be praying!! not only for the families of Mark Brown and this young girl, but for the kids and families of the school... whether or not any one person can accept it... kids looked up to Mark Brown... he was a romodel to these kids and hearing these accusations and charges against him are affecting them too!! I am not here to defend or support anything that is going on... just here to remind everyone... to pray... to keep the kids of the Highland Christian in your thoughts and prayers...

I was the mother of a teenage girl when MB was doing this many years ago. I did not agree with it then and surly do not agree with it now. I know he can be a very convincing man. I questioned many people how he and his brother landed the jobs that had and was told that education did not matter at a private school. I also had no knowledge of him being a christian. I wish you well in rebuilding your school, and I hope MB will pay for what he is accused of this time.

I think the law suits are already here!

Can we answer questions though this blog? we have been concerned about the browns since they came on. Did Mark Crawford (local sucessful business man) find and hire him?

Did not the board interrogate him or his brother after the first arrest?

Would parents of a christian school believe that all staff members have a special calling on their life to win young people for Christ? Then educate with TRUTH?

Thank you for the godly teachers that were there
this must be very hard for them right now.

thank you King 5 for letting us vent
Please pray for them.
We sure do regret not voicing our concerns earlier.

Quoting the bible and asking god to fix things doesnt fix a thing. I get tired of religious orgs who get caught in scandal or criminal behaviour like this one (I'm sorry..."alleged")looking up in the clouds for an answer and sweeping it under the carpet out of sight hopeing the rest of the public and media will just forget about it. Here's the saddest part to the whole matter: They probley will and we won't be reminded about it until the next one happens whether its a private christan school, the catholic chruch or the elementry school around the corner from where you live. Finger pointing is OK here. If your one of those at HCS that has a finger coming your direction, you better get a lawyer. A good one.

Sounds like all of you are making accusations and judgements. You all call yourselves Christians?

Romans 12:9-12
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; REJOICING IN HOPE, PERSERVERING IN TRIBULATION, DEVOTED IN PRAYER.

Christians aren't perfect just forgiven! AND we have to forgive just as we were forgiven. But let’s not forget, we are human too. We hurt, get mad, struggle, sin and say things we shouldn't just like anyone else in the world. Every time a Christian does something that the world doesn't agree with the first thing they attack is our Christianity. As Christians we are to be "Christ like". We will never be able to as Christ was, we can only TRY to be as He was. We struggle daily with sin. Please don't define Christians by the trails they go through.

I agree ledog, we cant just sit around waiting for the sunshine to break through the clouds, so everything will be ok. Thank you Jami for the inspiration! It sounds like parents are realizing this and I'm glad. We were given by God a will, a free thinking mind, and above all a conscience to know right from wrong. If we feel something is wrong, does he expect us to sit around and only pray? Pray, pray, pray yes!!! But get into action!!! The Bible does say to hold each other accountable!! And that God will reveal our sins!!He's done his work, now its time to do ours!! Jesus himself got very angry when the people were buying and selling in the temple, he reacted to the blatent disrepect for God and got very physical! Pauls letters to the churches were full of warnings and rebukings. If you are witness to something going on that is wrong, God has revealed it to you!! Take action that very second and be diligent in bringing matters to a better light. Its not gossip its decernment! He's revealed things to you to prevent Satan from winning the battle! You can see God trying to work all along in this matter. Some reacted others didn't. Thank you to all the ones who tried!! We don't need to make Gods work any harder than it is!! You can see God working through your decernment. To all others who said nothing, maybe this is a wakeup call. All things concerning God are worth the fight. Especially where your children are concerned! This is your school!!! You sacrificed monitarily sometimes above your means to make sure your children had a good safe enviroment. Take it back, put Gods will for the school first, be more involved, dont be afraid to make sure your voice is heard, and I beleive it will be better than before!! Like someone stated before GOD FIRST!...And can I add...maybe sports last?

I agree ledog, we cant just sit around waiting for the sunshine to break through the clouds, so everything will be ok. Thank you Jami for the inspiration! It sounds like parents are realizing this and I'm glad. We were given by God a will, a free thinking mind, and above all a conscience to know right from wrong. If we feel something is wrong, does he expect us to sit around and only pray? Pray, pray, pray yes!!! But get into action!!! The Bible does say to hold each other accountable!! And that God will reveal our sins!!He's done his work, now its time to do ours!! Jesus himself got very angry when the people were buying and selling in the temple, he reacted to the blatent disrepect for God and got very physical! Pauls letters to the churches were full of warnings and rebukings. If you are witness to something going on that is wrong, God has revealed it to you!! Take action that very second and be diligent in bringing matters to a better light. Its not gossip its decernment! He's revealed things to you to prevent Satan from winning the battle! You can see God trying to work all along in this matter. Some reacted others didn't. Thank you to all the ones who tried!! We don't need to make Gods work any harder than it is!! You can see God working through your decernment. To all others who said nothing, maybe this is a wakeup call. All things concerning God are worth the fight. Especially where your children are concerned! This is your school!!! You sacrificed monitarily sometimes above your means to make sure your children had a good safe enviroment. Take it back, put Gods will for the school first, be more involved, dont be afraid to make sure your voice is heard, and I beleive it will be better than before!! Like someone stated before GOD FIRST!...And can I add...maybe sports last?

Accountability is essential for any society to function and Christian accountability is no different. We are all held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Accountability is simply being responsible for one's actions.

Things that were brought up & were not addressed yes Accountability is in order.

Some parents had other problems in the past that were ignored, put on the back burner, or not taken seriously. So to expect ALL parents to once again put their trust in man is absolutely ridiculous.

"just looking in said:

Sounds like all of you are making accusations and judgements. You all call yourselves Christians?"

Some parents who have shared on this blog are sharing issues that they have experienced that has NOTHING to do with this situation. There were numerous red flags in other areas that should have been taken serious just for there mere fact that is was a concern for those families.

I agree what you say about Christians but has Mark Brown been proven quilty of the accusation?
Sounds like everyone has gave him his verdict.

"justlookingin said:

I agree what you say about Christians but has Mark Brown been proven quilty of the accusation?
Sounds like everyone has gave him his verdict."

I am not sure that you have read through all this messages EVERYONE has NOT gave him his verdict. Like I already stated most of the comments on here are in regards to red flags in different areas at HCS. It seems the same pattern in a comment like yours is still present that Parents still are not allowed to share real concerns without being expected to SHUT UP & PUT UP with whatever. OR else we will put words into what you are REALLY saying.

Let me break it down again
1.PARENTS ARE CONCERNED & WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE ISSUES (WHATEVER THEY WERE & ABOUT WHOEVER) WERE NOT ADDRESSED!!!!!!!!!! & TAKEN LIGHTLY WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS???

2. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME!!!!!!!

3. PUT ON YOUR LISTENING EARS AND FOR ONCE LISTEN TO OUR VOICES FOR GODS SAKE

It's not simply a matter of what Mark Brown did anymore. That will be decided through the courts. Even if he is not guilty of this particular crime he did show many other concerning behaviors and should not have been allowed to remain in a leadership position working with kids at our school.

I am appalled to think in that a man that had little to no education can manipulate a board and the whole school (parents and students).
This is a very sad situation, and now a 14 year old girl is paying for everyones ignorance.

These blogs seem to be the only way to get any response or answers. There are at least 500 adults in the school. Are these the only people concerned with the past behavior of the Brown brothers? It would be nice to have some facts listed from an inside source? hint hint?
Who is and was on the board? whats the boards job and responsibities?

I had children as HCS when Mark Brown was hired. There were many of us who were not manipulated at all but were given no choice! We did everything we could but didn't find out for weeks after Mark was hired that he had been hired! This is nothing new these concerns have been there since several of the board members were chosen! The truth here is that there has been so many different things done and said by Mark and his brother Joey and by several of the board members that we need to just wipe the slate clean and start over.

Many people have commented that we were deceived or ignorant to all of this but understand that this board took all control out of our hands. This is when we had to leave. I now know of dozens of familys that are ready to leave as well if things don't change. On that note I also know many families including mine that would love to be back if the Lord gave us peace about the people that were running this school.

No matter what people say those of us who know better know that there was something that just wasn't right. The Lord's peace was not there when this choice was made to bring Mark on at this school and because of this lack of peace we were led else where.

By the way the CHILDREN are absolutely our top priority!!! Or many of us would still be enrolled at Highland!!!

My prayer for this school and the students is that the new board takes the Lord's prompting when hiring the next Principal of Highland.

My heart is broken over this... all sides of the story, for any and all involved. The ripple effects will be felt in one way or another forever and that truly saddens me. My heartfelt prayers go to MB's family, the 14 year old girl and her family, the students and parents of HCS, and the HCS staff and their families.
The choices we make affect many, so please stop and think about your loved ones before you act, because it is those we love that will be hurt the most by the things we do.

I would like to first and foremost extend my empathy to the families and friends of the victims. I am not a connected with the school. As I look back over the track record of Mark Brown I see a lot of red flags. He marries a lady who he originally had an underage relationship with. He is then accused of inappropriate relations with another underage girl or girls. Skagit County Sheriff investigate and he is terminate from his position. His marriage also ends. His friend is found down and dieing in Brown's home. Not even a month later Brown is wearing his friends clothes and is marrying his friends wife. Brown is hired by HCS. Brown systematically fires any teacher or staff who opposes him or may pose a threat to (what appears to be at this time) his plans. Brown is arrested and claims he was just trying to help a troubled girl. Funny I thought that is what Police Officers, Counselors, Sheltors, and other at risk programs were for. If he was trying to help why then was it done on the QT ? Why didn't he go to anyone and say "Hey I am doing this to help is it ok" ? Why didn't he approach the Board and say I am letting a student stay at the school. Why was it in a seldom used room of the school a room for props and not some place else that would not look suspicious ? The fact is that girls who are troubled and women who are grieving are susceptible to these types of predatory criminals. I use the term criminals because whether or not rape was committed what was done to everyone listed and everyone involved in the fore mentioned is a crime. Maybe not in a legal sense but at the very least an ethical and moral one. Everyone involved with the school has been betrayed as was the friends and family of his wife's late husband. I am sorry for what you have all went through and equally sorry for my friends loss maybe with this questions will be answered and justice will finally be served. Remember these are just the things we know about how much more don't we know about ???

After reading the blogs, the BIG questions is who is on this board???? who hired this guy ??and are there more people like Principal Brown in the school??

worried... remember he was not our principal I'm sure parents would agree, that we are the school, and we had nothing to do with hiring Mark Brown. He's was the boards principal. I do know that not all of the board agreed with hiring him. At least one said no!! Red flags from the very beginning.

You can't get rid of cancer by just putting perfume on. That being said if HCS truly wants to move on the disease needs to be completely gone or else that cancer will come back. This is deeper than what has surfaced. Every family that has brought issues up & have not been addressed have they been called?? I know I haven't there are other students involved that have been manipulated with a false friendship & one in particular that may have been involved helping hide this girl. Has that been looked into? How is that student feeling right now? If that student was involved how did it get that far. If the board would start calling parents who have voiced concerns they could understand how it got this far.Even without these serious allegations change needed to take place! That student should not be walking around caring guilt or feeling justified. That student needs to be talked to.That student needs help! It will come out whether it be now or years down the road. HCS can you live with that?

I HOPE THAT THE PARENTS OF HCS ARE GATHERING TOGETHER TO FIRE THE BOARD AND TAKE THE SCHOOL BACK!!!!

A Grandparent said:
"Judge not lest ye be judged"
If Mark Brown is guilty then let it be proven and he will be held responsible for his actions. Mark Brown knows the truth and so does God.
This situation is life changing for all involved and my prayers go out to all concerned.
We need to gather round our children, teachers, parents; grandparents and yes board members, in Gods love and make our school whole again.

Unfortunately, it appears that there are still a great number of parents and possibly board members who will only admit and deal with the issues that have been brought to the surface. They don't want to dig up the past. They are happy to just "move on" and minimize the damage from this explosion-maybe there are more secrets that have yet to be exposed or maybe this is a reaction initiated by fear and worry of legal issues that may arise. Each person needs to look inside their heart and determine what is your motivation - are you more concerned in making sure that the school succeeds or are you willing to give it all up if that is what the Lord wills? Are you truly at a place where you are willing to be open and completely honest, doing the right thing even if it means you lose everything in terms of wealth and position? Do you want to hear from the former families who have come forward in the past warning of possible dangers, or the many teachers and staff members who have been let go during this administration? You should be going to these people and offering them an apology for not having listened and letting them know that you now understand the concerns, inviting them to come and be a part of restoring the school. They have a discernement that was lacking and should be welcomed. So...we are left with the probability of a split. Most likely those who are not willing to accept this position will walk and the rest will remain. The sad thing is that they will probably still claim to be a "Christian" school-something that should not be taken lightly. The world is watching and this type of ignorance is the reason so many people want nothing to do with Christianity. As a Christian myself I wish we could come up with another term because many claim it and just don't live it.

to grandmother,

As much as I appreciate what you are saying. No where in your statment does it mention prayer for the victim and the family. I take it, that you must be related to a board member or MB! they have a lot to lose!

I wonder how we go about finding out when his court hearings will be???

I did not nor do not have children who attend this school but I do live close to it and in the community. Also am I childhood sexual abuse survivor and have previously helped to get our 2 Strikes Your Out for sex offenders laws in place in our state. I have also helped to try and get a One Strike Law on the ballot in recent years.
It amazes me the naivity of the parents at this school and in our community. To not know who your educators are etc. To not even do any back ground checks on your staff, what is this about? I think there are more than just this person to be held responsible with this sort of irresponsibleness!
I understand he does not even have any degree in education, if this is true, just on that note, how did he even get the job here or at any school before?
Let us not forget the previous offenders in our community or elsewhere. One lives right down the street from this school too. Several simularities there of "grooming" their victims too.
This person has a history of this, preying on under aged girls , so wake up!
If it walks like a duck, quackes like a duck.....then I say you have just what he is, a child molestor and abuser.
I don't know why we don't GET IT finally in this country!! Do what were really need to do with these so called people who prey upon our children, keep them locked up forever!!

I am not a Christian, but if I remember correctly in the beginning it was one person who bore the sins of many. Today appears to be no different; however on a much lesser scale we now have a small young girl who must bare the sins of many, the sins of complacency, the sins of ignorance, the sins of arrogance.
I cannot begin to tell you how I felt when the HCS board stepped forward and stated they intended to unanimously stand behind the purported rapist, offering prayers and sympathy to his family without ever once showing an ounce of concernment for the potential child victim. The only reaching out from this board appears to be for tuition dollars.
It is time for the families of the students at Highland Christian School to stand up for their rights and take back their school.

The board should have their spokesman (woman) apologize for saying that the board & STAFF stand behind Mark Brown. I really didn't believe that was the case when I saw that but she was allowed to state that. That was appalling & humiliating for the staff I am sure. That statement will never be forgotten & is what most people where I work are talking about. An apology needs to be made unless the whole STAFF supports that

Firefly-I can't believe that you would defend Mark Brown's family. You should be ashamed of yourslef. His parents were on television stating that their son would never be involved in something like this. However, they obviously knew that their son married a twenty year old whom he started having sexual relations with when she was only fourteen years old. That is called a pedaphile! They knew what their son was, but said nothing and allowed this to happen. No sympathy for the, only disgust.

1) Mark Brown is but a Symptom of a truly deeper Problem.

2) The Board is directly responsible for fostering incompetence, condoning stupidity, and facilitating the QT hiring of a Principal that is a repeatedly accused Rapist and Child Molester.

3) Perhaps we should trust the Board again? Who is the real problem? The Board of incompetence, stupidy, neglect, and arrogance.

Fire the Board and have open elections of PARENTS who sit on the Board who are accountable to the Parents and Students accordingly.

Take back the School for our kids, because it's about the Children, not the Board.

Fooled once shame on you, fooled twice, shame on us, and the Children will pay the price again if we don't take back our School for Them.

In as much as you do it unto the least of these my brethern, you do it unto me.

Maybe things would be different if a Board members' child was the victim? Maybe then some competence, accountability, and sanity would be demanded.

Maybe then...or should we demand now?

To Parent said,
I did state that my heart goes out to all concerned and this included the child involved. I also wonder when someone tries to make a good comment or statement this person is assumed to be related to a board member.
I would assume that most of the comments on this blog are from a family member of a child going to HCS.
I am not going to judge anyone until I know the truth.
Can you tell us the truth; can anyone writing to this blog tell us the truth?
Grandmother of a child at HCS

A Grandparent said,
I can appreciate your reluctance to judge unjustly. One need only look at the record to come to a reasonable conclusion here (even if the latest accusation is false). I, for one, would rather err on the side of safety for the children. That should begin with conducting an in-depth investigation (internally) and end with us (the entire school) doing what is necessary to ensure this never happens again.
Note: This cannot be accomplished without full and complete transparency.

There is finally a proper response from this board. There will be a meeting on thursday night at the school. call the school
LET US TAKE OUR SCHOOL BACK!!!

Grandparent???

What do you mean by good comment as if what some of these parents that shared their experiences are BAD for commenting the truth & you wonder why you are assumed to be a board member go figure.

Board Meeting said:

"There is finally a proper response from this board. There will be a meeting on thursday night at the school. call the school
LET US TAKE OUR SCHOOL BACK!!!"

Yes thanks to this blog.... Thank You King 5 & to all the parents who have commented we have finally been heard!

So many of you say the poor girl the poor victim, she is the one who has to pay for the boards stupidity. What if she is lying like her best friend said on TV? What if she is calling out for help and attention? Did it ever occur to anyone this poor girl just might need help that MB was trying to give her. Why would her best friend say that on TV? If she was lying she will just get caught and what does that prove?

I can't believe that a grown adult would even question the victim. If there was no history of Mark Brown victimizing other young girls, one would be able to understand why you would give him the benefit of the doubt. However, he is a proven pedophile with two other victims that we know of. Additionally, after reading these bloggs, it is easily verifiable that the girl is not lying. Where is your inteligence? Do you live under a rock?

The Board has finally set up a meeting at the
School!!! Why not at a Restaurant where an enclosed section could be reserved for brunch, lunch or dinner would have been a lot more graceful perhaps peaceful.

To walk into that dark cold School with the memories of what just took place and what went on for so long is a bit morbid.

I say to the Parents on that day walk in Brave and Tall with Jesus Christ as Your Leader.

My prayers are with you.

From a Caring Grandparent.

To all the Highland Christian School past and present parents and students!

Let us pray that the meeting on Thursday night will bring foster REAL, postitive change.

TAKE A STAND WITH THE PRESENT BOARD!
they must be held accountable.

Dear Interested Reader,
Have you been paying any attention to the news? Two young ladies have come forward and have claimed to have had sex with Mark Brown when they were just 14 years old and he was 26. That is called rape of a child and is a felony. In Mark Browns case that would be 2 felonies. He was fired from Concrete High School for disobeying the rules and was under allegations of misconduct with underage girls. Are you beginning to see a pattern yet? Mark Brown likes little girls. Have you seen the text messages yet, they will be public soon and when you read them you will probably puke.
Mark Brown could not make it as a landscaper, how on earth did he get the top job at a Christian School, a school that is held to higher standards.
The young lady in the news claiming to be the victim’s best friend has only known the victim for 4 months and “much like you” was only looking for her 15 minutes of fame.

If I were an attorney for the victim I would use this blog as ample substantiation of a problematic history of massive proportion, and I would also record the meeting Thursday as evidence to basically litigate the School out of existence.

If the present Board stays, they might insure the very demise of the School and there may not be a School to take back.

The only option is they either step down or for the parents to demand their resignation and start completely fresh.

Anything less is totally unacceptable.

M. Brown is but a symtom, and the Board is responsible for facilitating the "recent events" they keep referring to. Unfortunately, there are years of history, and to talk about "recent events" further demonstrates their incompetence, neglect, and stupidity.

"Recent years" is more appropriate.

As neglectful as the Board has been, they are not the ones who have committed a crime. I am hopeful that all Board members are humbled and broken, as I am, by this horrible outcome. I believe that if they are, we can and will come together as one and make right the things that have been wrong.
As outraged as I am over this, I have no intention of bringing condemnation in the hope that will give some satisfaction. Though it has been helpful to have a forum to vent to other parents who share my concerns, I know that ultimately all of us want reconciliation. Some serious mistakes in judgment have resulted in an environment rife with immorality. That is unacceptable. That is what must be mended. That is what we expect from our Board.
This one or an entirely new one.

Hello HCS,

"Skagit County Sheriff investigate and he is terminated from his position. His marriage also ends. His friend is found down and dieing in Brown's home. Not even a month later Brown is wearing his friends clothes and is marrying his friends wife (his current wife). Brown is hired by HCS. Brown systematically fires any teacher or staff who opposes him or may pose a threat to (what appears to be at this time) his plans."

MB has put himself in this position - guilty or innocent. He's in this position because he made the decision of handling a very serious matter by himself. Why did he do that?

Did Child Protective Services get informed and not correctly do their job? If that was the case, should MB have made the decision to take it upon himself in helping this teen? Did he first try various other routes (her friends, other family members or different authorities)?

Is MB in this position by attempting to handle a very serious problem with little or no professional experience? Why would he do this by himself and not ask for the help of others? Did he assume no one else had answers or could provide the needed help? Did he try to get answers and help that never came about? Is it still right for him to provide this teen with a safe place? It's a hard line to cross, however; MB did cross that line (for whatever reason) and now he's out of position.

What do you think about these questions?

None of us will bring truth... only in time will it come from the power above us.

One more question...

Why did the school say they were behind him and then fire him?

"Q and A says
One more question...

Why did the school say they were behind him and then
fire him?

Kristin Sande is on the board & why they chose to have her represent our school Ill never know. I know for a fact that not all the board members agreed to that statement even worse was to mention staff members as well. That was a lie!!! That there shows you the character of our Board ARROGANCE!!!!!

IMO I believe the responds that we all heard from Kristin Sande was not an answer from a "Board Member" that was an answer from a friendship. That is a problem!! Because a Board member representing families from a Christian school would of never made a statement like that.

Shame Shame Shame!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly. Kristin Sande was speaking as a friend. Her and other board members bought into the idea that Mark Brown really wanted to be their friend. Darrin Chase really crossed the line as a board member and would leak information and concerns back to MB. I am willing to forgive and give a second chance to certain board members who are truly remorseful and prove they have learned from their mistakes but there needs to be a re-vote. Aside from this matter there are certain members on this board who have proven they do not have the intelligence oir common sense necessary to serve in this capacity.

"Highland Christian Schools is a member of both the Association of Christian Schools International, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling."

Has anybody else contacted these Association as I have?

Hello to all, I am not connected to HCS but do have many years of ed admin and can only give this advise to the parents of the school. Remember that your board works for the good of the school! Not the bad! You all would be greatly shocked at the lack of ability of a governing body as a school board to get accurate information on employess (ie. Mark Brown).

There have been examples, more than I can count, where unqualified people have filled positions they were not suited for. The board can only investigate so much! People like Mr. Brown will only make availible information he can control and it is very difficult for other to verify.

His past legal issues do not exist since they were only alligation. Surveying past employers will get knowone anywhere fast as with most people you will get mixed reviews, not unlike "references" on a application. Do you and I put a person we know does not care for us? No, we put down people we know will give us support.

In closing please remember going forward who the alleged is here and think for a moment about your board members. They know they made a mistake. Every one of them wish they could change the past. Yes, people, even board members make mistakes. What this school needs now is the parents AND the board to support each other and heal. This can and will make your board a better working body if they can get the support they need at this trying time.

P.S.

On a other observation, Attacking your A.D. based on the fact that he is the alleged brother is incredibly unfair and in touching on shaky ground. Let this man decide his own value on his own deeds, not that of his brothers'

I want you to be aware of something. Even a public school board knows well enough to let law enforcement deal with matters like this, so the school can get 100% of it's focus on the kids and nothing else. That's their job.

Parents who are attending this meeting you cannot let this get swept under the rug of what their first reactions were in "supporting MB" It was very obvious that your kids were not first on their minds. Is that the kind of board you want to continue there?

Do not allow yourself to be manipulated (again) if that's the case. You have no excuse not to walk in this meeting with your guards up.

Parents, Board,& Staff take heed

The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them."

[Ezekiel 34:1-6, NIV]

Hello Experienced,

Is it standard procedure to check educational background, and employment history? I believe this should be standard procedure. Am I wrong?

"experienced"
Did you real all the blogs? If you had you would have noticed that when the AD was mentioned it was on that families personal experience. Please read the blogs thoroughly.

MB's character is nothing but shady. I had to laugh out loud when I read the part about him being an experienced landscaper/designer. Have you SEEN what he has done to his property surrounding his home? The wetlands he has destroyed? His arrogance in believing he is above the law - is not limited to his interactions with young girls - or with his employers - his arrogance affects all parts of his life.

What happened to the meeting on Friday on neutral territory? It was set up and understood that it would be a place to voice opinions, and perhaps get answers from a school board that seemed to go into hiding. Why did this meeting have to be set up with the PARENTS involvement, instead of the school boards? Yet, when the word got out the school board quickly jumps into action and picks a date, (day before the parents meeting on fri.) a time, and a place to meet. In my opinion, they are trying to cover up their corrupt behavior. I pity the parents that think they will "storm" and take back "their school." This is nothing but a photo op for the school board so they can tell you, "we did our jobs," now sign your kids up for next year!! To the person that wrote bigger picture. Your blog was very disturbing to me. Seems like you may have knew more than you wanted to about this man. If what you have blogged is a fact, why didnt police investigate this friend "down and dieing." And if this is a fact, i pray you get a hold of the proper authorities to tell them what you know. Sounds like this man had a very, very disturbing past.

The is the most outrageous case of abuse of power that I have ever seen!! Is this board a bunch of criminals themselves?? What do they have to hide?

I am not part of this school and I do not know any of these people, I am a resident in Arlington, WA.

The school board is responding like criminals, they themselves look uneducated, has anyone looked into their backgrounds?

Jan, what I wrote is true and can be verified. The Skagit county incident is a matter of public record and also had been covered by king 5 news. His ex wife had also said about the issues and his past with her. She has also attested to the fact of the marriage ending.
As for the friend down. I hope there will be a better look into it. It has always been suspicious to me. The information can be verified by those who know the friend I am speaking of. Look at the certificate of death (public record) the marriage license (also public record) look at the dates. Ask the friends about how long it took before he made his moves. It may shock you. As for the clothes any one who was around during that time can tell you. The nerve of this person is appalling.
The firing of the teachers and staff also should be recorded. Some of the parents may also remember them. I am hopeful some more people out there are tired of living in fear of what may happen to them due to threats and intimidation. They may stand up also and say enough is enough we want justice for our loved ones and if someone wants to come after us for it we are here.
There is more but I hope others will also stand up and tell what they know. Just coming from one person isn't enough and more voices cannot be silenced as easily. I think the truth wants and needs to be told about those issues and then they can finally rest in the knowledge justice will be served at last.

PUBLIC RECORDS: look at the snohomish county home page and do searches of all parties involved in this - I find it very interesting the timing of marriages, home purchases, home refi's...YES, this information is public. Take a look around - this guy is scary

FYI - Master's Touch(Highland) did do background checks at one point. I believe it stopped when MB stepped into play.

...and you know this - how?

I too am a little upset about the board setting up their meeting, after the fact. I got an e-mail like all others did, stating that we would have to sign in to speak and would only be givin three minutes. This will limit us to responding in unison, to different alligations. If we agree or have had a simular situation, we won't be able to speak out of turn. This is the board trying to control and break unison. If you have something to say say it, even if it is out of turn, if you need more than three minutes take it! We will not be unheard AGAIN. Don't let a man or woman with a little hammer regulate it.

Does anyone know where Mr. Joey Brown came from before he arrived at HCS?

Parent said, "What happened to the meeting on Friday at a neutral place?" I think we all know what happened. Your board wants to ensure that they are in charge. PLEASE take heed: You need a strong neutral Christian leader to mediate this meeting. The board has lost your trust and rightly so. They should NOT control what happens from here. In my mind that would be ludicrous!!!

Not sure what you do about the meeting. I would probably go, get my voice heard, but then make sure that the board is not in control of giving direction on where to go from here. Again, can one of the Associations the school belongs to help?

I am very glad to hear of the associations that HCS is a member of. I hope that even at this late date these associations could have someone attend this Thursday night meeting. I strongly believe that HCS needs outside help to give advice and direction on how to make sure this never happens again. I know that if I were one of the parents with children in this school I would feel very uncomfortable with the present Board taking the lead on this. What is needed from them is a sincere apology and then to step aside and let a group of non-biased Christian advisors help put the pieces back together and help this become a parent owned school once again.

Experienced said, "They (the board) know they made a mistake. Everyone of them wish they could change the past". I'd really like to know HOW YOU KNOW THIS! Maybe at the meeting on Thursday this will be made known, but unfortunately, so far the Board has not bothered to come out and admit that they made a mistake.

Also, from what I am reading many of you think (and it may be true) that Kristen Sandes was not speaking for all of the board members when she announced the boards support of MB. My question is: Why did the board not immediately call her into account and get on the news with a corrected statement?

Everyone seems to agree that the Board has made some serious mistakes in judgment and their actions in hiring and then listening to MB (and not to the parents and staff) for the last two years were grievous errors. Unfortunately, their lack of judgment seems to continue as they improperly handle the aftermath of this tragedy. I sincerely hope that Thursday night will mark a change in this.

I will be praying for ALL concerned for this meeting on Thursday to be handled with God in control and that HIS direction will be followed as you all move forward.

God bless you all as you go through this trial by fire. God will have victory and we know His judgment is RIGHT! Keep your eyes on HIM and remember that HE CARES FOR YOU!

Bigger Picture, May i ask you what your friend died of? (what you think, and what is actually on death certificate.) This whole story about Mark Brown is absolutely bizarre. You just cant make this stuff up!!!
To the Parents, You can fool yourselves if you would like by going to the "Board Meeting." Thats what it is a ....BOARD MEETING. It is not an OPEN FORUM for parents to speak out and to get answers. The School Board will make sure they will quiet you if they dont agree with what you say .... your 3 minutes will be up! This should have been an open forum WITH the board there to answer questions and concerns that parents have about this situation, like it was orginally planned by parents (referring to Mark Brown only). Sorry to inform you all that the BOARD has taken control again. PS. Dont think this wont be a media circus. In my opinion, thats why the board is conducting this meeting. To take the focus off of them and show the public how cruel you parents are. Wolves in sheeps clothing!

We have had a week to digest these tragic events. Obviously anger, hurt and betrayal have been at the forefront.It is also obvious this Board has some serious issues to address. they had better do so.
We are Christians. We must act as Christians. If that means flipping the tables at the temple then so be it. It certainly means forgiveness.
For me it means to stand boldly in Christ's name. It means to forcefully advance His Kingdom. It means knowing who the enemy is. More than ever we need God's word. All things are made clear there. Every aspect of these events is there.
I hope this meeting is not a free for all. All things are for God's purpose. He has removed a serious problem. Thank You Lord! he has placed us on the front lines of the spiritual war. Thank You Lord! Are we going to cower or are we going to respond to His call on us? There is power here and the enemy knows it. We must wield our God given power! BTW I am not anonymous. My name is Edwin Anglesey

Edwin - VERY well said

Why so serious?

Jan since he still has family around the area and in being sensitive to their feelings. I feel maybe some of those answers should come from them and in time may. I feel that is only right. Especially if there is enough probable cause for the death to be further investigated (which I believe there is).
As to what I believe really happened. I believe Mark Brown had his own agenda. I believe he saw something he desired and over the months of knowing them it became too tempting so he decided how he could obtain it.
I know there are a multitude of ways to make a murder or homicide look like an accident. Especially if there are no witnesses to challenge your story. There were too many things wrong with the way everything was said to go.
I believe Mark Brown about as much as I believe gas prices will go back down to .30 cents a gallon tomorrow.
Again I must say this was what I BELIEVE happened.
If everything known by everyone was brought into the open and looked at in the overall big picture circumstantially he (in my opinion) would look guilty as hell.

To all those who are planning to boycott the meeting..............please come! They sure did go about it the wrong way and made it clear that nothing has really changed in their hearts but that is why we need everyone there to take a stand together and insist that this pattern does not continue!!!!

Yes definitely do not boycott that is exactly what they are hoping we will do
1 John 4:4
Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

All you families that have come forward remember
Jeremiah 6:27
I have set you for a tower and a fortress among my people, that you may know and try their way.

I have also seen the complete mess that MB has made of his once beautiful property. Taking down huge trees, trying to redirect a stream & destroying wetlands. He obviously doesn't care about nature,wildlife or clean water. He seems to think he is above the law. We need to protect our community & children from people that don't know right from wrong.

The friend died from ingesting prescription medications and alcohol, and was found on Mr. Brown's couch in the morning. The primary cause of death was pneumonia because of the fluid in the lungs from the vomitus. Drugs and alcohol were also listed along with other contributing factors. The friend had a chronic pain condition, MB and all of their friends knew of it, they all knew he never went anywhere without his medications. MB knew of the medical procedures his friend had to endure, he was well aware of his need for medications. MB stated to the responding Police Officer that he knew he was on medication "but that he was not sure exactly what it was for." He died of an overdose in Mark's home yet the responding Officer wrote in his report "I was unable to locate any bottles of prescription medication in the apartment." He moved in with his friend's widow days after the death, wore his clothes, lived in his home, had a relationship with his widow and married her a few months later.

I am a male student at HCS. Mark Brown encouraged me to run away from home also. I am so thankful I didn't. But I wonder how many other victims there are out there? It seems from reading the posts, there are many. It also seems that Joey Brown may have similar issues. Are you going to ignore this too, until something awful happens?

Student I am thankful you did not listen to MB. Will you be at the meeting tomorrow night?

I am the brother of MB's wife. My sister is in
tremendous pain right now - as is my mom and the
rest of our family. I am coming forth to voice my
thoughts on this tragedy in hoping it will bring
good to all.

My sister's former husband (we'll call him
B) died of a drug overdose (a mixture of opiates,
alcohol and valium). I questioned his death too... wondering if it was on purpose, or just a
terrible accident. I spent time with B while he was battling his fight with drugs. He was handed numerous pain killers by doctors because of a medical condition. He did hit a low point, realized it and wanted to make a change. He seemed to be seriously attempting a better
direction several weeks before his death. B was
a tremendous person with lots of energy,
happiness and a super loving heart. Today, I
don't believe he took his own life.

I too had my battle with drugs and ended up in
the hospital one day after drinking a bottle of
codiene cough syrup, smoking weed and drinking
beers. This was after I was off pain killers
(opiates, codiene is an opiate) for a good month
or so. Perhaps my tolerance went down and the
cough syrup affected me much more than previous
times, especially since it was mixed with other
drugs. Maybe this is true in the case of B. It's
possible he was off opiates for a short period,
relapsed and mixed other drugs not thinking about
lower tolerance. I know opiates with valium
(anti-anxiety) is a much worse combination than
opiates and weed.

As I did, B seemed to have a bad combination of
drugs in his body at the wrong time. I survived
and he didn't - how this happened may never be
known.

My sister's current husband (MB) I've known for
a few years now. Their grief together of B's
death was real, as B was a long-time friend of
MB. Them getting involved in a relationship
seemed odd at first, but I later saw it as an
act of God.

Recently, I've been a lot closer to MB and my
sister - especially since their baby was born.
I'v also been alone with MB has he picked me
up a few weeks ago, taking me back to his house
to stay the night there with my parents, sister
and the new born.

I wanted to point out a few things I've seen
from MB since I've spent more time with him
during the last few weeks.

MB and I talked a little bit about this teen
(before her accusation) during our ride from
Smokey Pt. back to his place. When he picked
me up he was on the phone and didn't
acknowledge my presence when first getting in
his truck. I didn't pay a lot of attention to
who exactly he was talking to and it was hard
to make out the conversation. When he got off
the phone, he instantly told me about this
troubled teenage girl. He mentioned that she
had abusive parents and stated, "Child
Protective Services is a joke." He went on to
tell me that a male student broke into the
school and let this teenage girl stay the night.
He then stated the parents were out to possibly
sue the school. I replied with, "It sounds like
the parents are drug-abusers and might be
looking for ways to get additional money for
drugs." There was little response from MB after
that... and a few minutes later we arrived at
his home.

Another fact I've seen in MB is his ability to
understand people and how they think. He has a
very keen sense of what to say and when to say
it. I once saw a book in his bathroom but can't
recall the exact title, however; it did have to
do with becoming a leader and influencing and
motivating others.

Something else I saw in MB that might be
relative is the mentioning of his faith. We
were outside on his deck a few weeks ago and
he made a statement about the Christian religion
and how it's not the only religion out there. I
replied with the statement, "you're right,
there are lots of religions out there."
I learned from my sister the other day that MB
became a Christian about 4 years ago.

There was another statement MB made that I
wouldn't have deeply thought about until
relating it to this case. Upon preparing to
leave his house one day, he mentioned that he
had a 4 hour board meeting the next day. I replied with, "A 4 hour board meeting - that seems a bit long for a meeting?" With a moment
of hesitation he stated, "Yea... these people aren't too intelligent."

The entire landscape thing is a bit odd to me.
Whenever I talked to MB about his landscaping
He seemed quite excited to talk about it. There
seemed to be no question to what he was currently doing with his landscape and what he had in store for it in the future. Recently, it seems to have come to a dramatic halt - as I haven't seen much accomplished in the last few months.

I'm throwing this next one out because of its
possible relevance, but it may have nothing to do
with it. Under most circumstances, most (not all)
females prefer female new born and most (not all) males prefer male new born. MB wanted a new born girl.

My sister and MB are now staying at a friend's in
CA., after staying the last weekend in Spokane.
Initially, they were to be home on Sunday and
then decided to drive to CA (not knowing how long
they were going to stay). My sister has said this
is even harder than dealing with the surprising
death of her ex-husband, B.

I still don't know what to think about all this
and why it’s even come to where it's at. I do know a lot of people have been afflicted, impaired and upset from this sham. All we can do now is continue waiting and realize it will come out for the best and good of all.

Much LOVE and BLESS from GOD!

I am not sure about students "breaking" into the school I do know for a fact(from a conversation in the school office ) that a couple of students had keys to the school.

Student, I am very glad you did not listen to MB, and that you did not run away. I hope your words will encourage others who may have similar stories to come forward and talk to the authorities.

I think we are all losing site of one thing. The school and the kids. We will never know all of the things that MB has done, or whether he is guilty of them. But we must put this in context. He will be dealt with this time. Hopefully by the legal system, or if not, by a higher calling. We need to put all of our energy into rebuilding this school and making the board accountable to the parents. For without the parents, this school would not exist. I am the grandparent of two children who went for one year. We wanted to re-enroll them for the following year, but problems just kept cropping up. How fortunate for us. My grandchildren and 13 and 14.

Please keep us informed as to how the board reacts to all the questions they have coming to them

Hi Lee Ann,

There are multiple sites here. I believe only a few have lost site of the school. It is still there and waiting for a new leader. Only the parents will decide the outcome and bring on the next generation.

Lets just pray the parents are stronger and get more involved this time, because as you said... without the parents there is no school.

My niece and I were discussing this sad situation during her visit last week. I have been an educator in California for 17 years and have sat on several interview panels including the one for our Principal. It is the panel's duty to ensure that background checks are conducted by the district and that the members being interviewed have been properly screened. I find it difficult to believe that the Board would not be vested with the same task. If there is not a district to assist in this matter, take it to the state department of education.
As an educator in California I am also a mandated reporter of child abuse. If there were teachers who felt that there was something going on between this man and students, why was this never brought to the attention of the authorities? Are they not mandated by the state as well? If not, why not? If parents were seeing "red flags" why did they not take their concerns to the authorities if the Board did nothing? Shouldn't the parents of students at this school take this responsibility onto themselves? I would as a parent. How can anyone who did nothing about this situation, knowing what was happening, consider themselves a parent?
If this Board is elected by the parents of the school, I believe it is time to have the board resign and reconstitute the Board. Maybe the community needs to be able to contact the Board directly. It would be interesting to see how quickly the members of the Board change their practices if they are scrutinized by the general community as well.
The safety of the children at this school should one of the main concerns of the leadership of the school. This leadership can not simply be the Principal alone. This leadership has to be made up of all people who have an interest in the school.
I am interested in seeing what happens to all people involved in this matter whether it be the Principal, the Board or the parents.

As a teacher myself, I know that by law (not to mention moral responsibility) we are required to report any suspected abuse to CPS. It's hard for me to believe that this man was counseling kids to leave home & no one thought this was wrong? That he's texting kids & that's okay??? These are classic warning signs.
He broke so many cardinal teaching rules, but then again, he's not a teacher so I suppose he figured he could do whatever he wanted. He's been used to getting his way for a long time. There is no way this was all hidden. It sounds to me like he was carefully grooming not only his young vitims, but also the adults he had gathered around him to support him in whatever he did. I'm sure there are other adults who are feeling pretty guilty as this point for supporting this man & getting sucked into his deliberate web of deceit & manupulation. Thank God he has been exposed. He sounds downright scary.

Hi, I am a student at HCS. I just want to say that this is a very troubling time for all of the folks involved. That includes the students, teachers, parents, everybody! I believe that bashing on each other will only make the problem worse. We as a whole need to focus on breaking past this issue and continue making our school a better place to preside. The biggest and only hope for us to overcome this obstacle is to pray, pray, pray! Telling each other whose wrong and whose right won't help the situation. Please, all that I ask is that you spend a small amount of time each day and simply talk to God about what is going on and I promise you, He WILL show the truth. Just be patient, the truth will come out. The only thing we can do until then is hold together as a family and pray. Thank you and I wish you and your family the best throughout these times.

Hi, I am a student at HCS. I just want to say that this is a very troubling time for all of the folks involved. That includes the students, teachers, parents, everybody! I believe that bashing on each other will only make the problem worse. We as a whole need to focus on breaking past this issue and continue making our school a better place to preside. The biggest and only hope for us to overcome this obstacle is to pray, pray, pray! Telling each other whose wrong and whose right won't help the situation. Please, all that I ask is that you spend a small amount of time each day and simply talk to God about what is going on and I promise you, He WILL show the truth. Just be patient, the truth will come out. The only thing we can do until then is hold together as a family and pray. Thank you and I wish you and your family the best throughout these times.

And remember, God is in control...

Is it legal for someone who is out on bail to leave the state? Brother said that he and his wife were staying at friend's in CA.

Drew, it is very sad to see the way people are coming against each other but in reality the majority of "bashing" is coming from those who are taking offense to the fact that parents have legitimate concerns and are unwilling to "just move on". The false accusations and defenses that are flying are coming from this group of people. You say that "telling each other whose wrong and whose right won't help the situation" - that statement is concerning because the ONLY way that this situation can be resolved is to get to the ROOT of the problem and whether anyone likes it or not that DOES involve accountability. We all make mistakes and though we are forgiven we still need to deal with the repercussions of those sins.
I am sure we are all praying but we need to examine the motives of our heart and ask ourselves do our prayers reflect an attitude of "thy will be done" or "my will be done". There have been comments from a few people who seem to be suggesting that parents with concerns are not in prayer - you say that if we would just spend a "few minutes each day" - well there are a number of us who have been praying intensely for this situation for much more than a few minutes a day. The Lord has called me personally on my knees in the middle of the night and I have been unable to sleep at all for the last 3 days because God has called me to PRAY for true healing for the school (if that be God's will) and for all those affected by this terrible situation!

Drew, it is very sad to see the way people are coming against each other but in reality the majority of "bashing" is coming from those who are taking offense to the fact that parents have legitimate concerns and are unwilling to "just move on". The false accusations and defenses that are flying are coming from this group of people. You say that "telling each other whose wrong and whose right won't help the situation" - that statement is concerning because the ONLY way that this situation can be resolved is to get to the ROOT of the problem and whether anyone likes it or not that DOES involve accountability. We all make mistakes and though we are forgiven we still need to deal with the repercussions of those sins.
I am sure we are all praying but we need to examine the motives of our heart and ask ourselves do our prayers reflect an attitude of "thy will be done" or "my will be done". There have been comments from a few people who seem to be suggesting that parents with concerns are not in prayer - you say that if we would just spend a "few minutes each day" - well there are a number of us who have been praying intensely for this situation for much more than a few minutes a day. The Lord has called me personally on my knees in the middle of the night and I have been unable to sleep at all for the last 3 days because God has called me to PRAY for true healing for the school (if that be God's will) and for all those affected by this terrible situation!

Drew, it is very sad to see the way people are coming against each other but in reality the majority of "bashing" is coming from those who are taking offense to the fact that parents have legitimate concerns and are unwilling to "just move on". The false accusations and defenses that are flying are coming from this group of people. You say that "telling each other whose wrong and whose right won't help the situation" - that statement is concerning because the ONLY way that this situation can be resolved is to get to the ROOT of the problem and whether anyone likes it or not that DOES involve accountability. We all make mistakes and though we are forgiven we still need to deal with the repercussions of those sins.
I am sure we are all praying but we need to examine the motives of our heart and ask ourselves do our prayers reflect an attitude of "thy will be done" or "my will be done". There have been comments from a few people who seem to be suggesting that parents with concerns are not in prayer - you say that if we would just spend a "few minutes each day" - well there are a number of us who have been praying intensely for this situation for much more than a few minutes a day. The Lord has called me personally on my knees in the middle of the night and I have been unable to sleep at all for the last 3 days because God has called me to PRAY for true healing for the school (if that be God's will) and for all those affected by this terrible situation!

To all reading this I have brought up facts that can be verified in various ways. I have not lost sight of the school, the students or the victims. In fact I am trying to show those who are still under Mark Browns influence or those still in denial what he is capable of.
Brother a lot of what you said was true however you didn't mention B was doing good he had not been depressed. In fact he and his wife were doing good he even talked to her several times the night of his death. You also didn't mention B was NOT a heavy sleeper. The B we knew would be up at the time he needed to and going he was not a slow starter. B was also looking forward to an upcoming event with family. B would not have been careless enough to risk missing that nor would he have taken his life. There was no note but also strangely enough there were no medication bottles found anywhere. B never left his meds out of the containers and would not carry them loose. B loved his family. He very much love his sister and her kids. B would have been more careful than to risk not seeing them.
By bring these things to light I am hoping people will see a pattern which may prevent further harm or losses. This doesn't benefit me in anyway. I hope those who may be sitting on the fence of "I really don't knows" may read this and open their eyes to what he is capable of, looking again at the overall big picture.
Brother it sounds like you could possibly be kind of on the fence of maybe maybe not as well. Askyourself this if he was as in love with your sister as he seems or claims to be why would he either put himself in the position to be accusedor or actually committed a rape? That puts her the child and their lively hood at risk. I too have been there but as I looked back over everything I had to say once is happenstance twice is coincidence but the third times seems more like deliberate enemy action. With everything coming to the surface here can not anyone see the manipulations. Mark Brown was such a good salesman he could probably sold ice cubes to polar bears.

Bigger Picture:
Are you aware of whether or not the Skagit County Sheriff will relook at B's death?

I see it, and THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD!!!!

Great! It's just a hunch I have that Mark Brown has more skeletons in his closet that will be rousted...

Unbelievable the death was in Arlington. I hope either they or the Snohomish County Seriff's Department will be looking into the facts of this case. I have been interested in what the medical examiners report found as well as the responding fire agency. Those reports are as I have been told are unavailable due to HIPPA laws and patient confidentiality. The police report what I have been able to find out has some misinformation coming from Mark Brown to the police officer. As Knew The Friend wrote Mark told the police he knew B was taking medications but he told the police he didn't know what they were nor what kind of medical condition they were for (it is in the report). Mark did in fact know what they were for and knew of B's illness. If you found your friend with vomit in their mouth wouldn't you roll them on their side and attempt aid while calling 911 ? Why did it take him so long to check on B ?
If you look at just these things and don't even consider the comments made around friends. Comments something to the effect of She (referring to B's wife) is to good for him he doesn't deserve her. Comments made prior (weeks prior) to B's alleged "accidental" death. I would hope there would be a huge cry from other of B's friends to get to the bottom of what really happen that night.
Had there been closer attention to facts (not saying anyone did a bad job but most criminal don't cover their tracks as good as they think) during the Concrete school incident. Also this death maybe it could have stopped what happen at HCS, maybe not. If a closer look is taken now maybe there won't be any chance for repeat offenses or other victims.

it just seems to me that MB is really good at manipulating, grooming and influencing others around him that and after all of this infomation comes out - maybe people who are close to him will begin to question some of his lies and deceit. And you're absolutely right that crooks don't cover their tracks well. Please keep us posted - my guess is that both Skagit and Snohomish hopefully are doing some investigating of their own.

45 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div 3350 12-07-1993
46 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div C00121944 12-04-1997
47 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-everett Div 120061 06-24-1991
48 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Skagit County Dist C00451590 11-19-2002
49 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Whitman County Dist L00065917 10-26-1998
50 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div 2657 11-03-1992
51 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div I00235242 06-02-2008
52 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-evergreen Div I04057561 08-24-2004
53 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Skagit County Dist I05125181 01-22-2007
54 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div PA2657A 03-29-1993
55 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Sno Co-everett Div PC08-D574 07-14-2008
56 Brown, Mark Evan
Defendant Snohomish Superior 08-1-01826-6 07-23-2008
57 Brown, Mark Evan
Respondent Snohomish Superior 04-3-02038-9 07-26-2004
Kinda makes you wonder if this is the SAME Mark Evan Brown ??? I found this information on the Snohomish County Superior Court website...

Wow, I also looked at that site, it took maybe 20 seconds to access it. That sounds like what, 20 seconds more time than the Board put into a background check doesn't it?

I'm still curious, I've searched online but can't find an answer. Does anyone know if you can leave the state if your out of jail on bail? Brother said he is in CA, seems odd to me.

I have no law background, but my guess is that IF the judge made it a CONDITION of the bail then no, he wouldnt be allowed to leave the state - but I'm not sure how to get ahold of that information. So tell me - do you think the above information is THE Mark Brown we are discussing here?

To Knew the friend,

Have you contacted the authorities with everything you know? After looking into this, its sounds like some people have, I think you should contact them right away.

I would like to know more about students who had keys to the rooms at school..and why?!!! This is a known FACT. What does a student need with a key?
To Knew the friend, That is a very good question. I didnt think you could leave the state when out on bail.
To the school board, How nice of MB to say," "These people arent very intellegent." Well, at least he got that one right!
To brother, my heart goes out to you and your family. I will be praying for your sister and her baby boy. I just cant imagine the pain.

Brother- Are you keeping in close contact with your sister to make sure she is alright. I'm sure she is hurting very deeply right now, but she needs to be kept safe. I do believe MB has or had easy access to many of the medications you listed, not perscribed but illegially. I hope you are watching out for her.

Brother- I would urge your sister & the baby to stay away from MB for the time being. I'm sure he has a way of manipulating her also.Who knows what he is capable of right know in this time of desperation.

Thank you "Me" and "SB" for you concerns. I have been in contact with my sister a few times via phone and text, but haven't been able to see her since this all began. I was very worried about them leaving in the first place, especially so far away. They have no family "close" to them right now and I believe this is what they need.

Some quick notes on B in response to Bigger Picture and I'm done commenting on him. I stayed with B for a good month while he was (what I believe) was one of his lowest points. During this time B struggled to get up many mornings and did miss several (at least 3 or 4) days of work. A few times I remember him being very sick in the bathroom just after waking up. He seemed run down and tired many of the days during this period. In fact, one time I had to wake him from the chair after he fell asleep with a half-eaten ice cream cone. These were the days B seemed down and not himself. He was definitly a heavy sleeper during this time. Yes, Bigger Picture I did state B was showing improvements the last month or so prior to his death. That said, I know B was a very loving guy and was greatly happy with everything he had going for him. I questioned his death (on purpose or accident) because he was an addict and suicide is a very real withdrawal symptom from opiates. He was possibly in this vulnerable state at that time. I've seen people with everything in the world with the power of this drug still taking over.

Yes, I am "on the fence" with the current situation. All people (regardless of thier past) are innocent until proven guilty. I am keeping an open mind because I know it could go either way. Why set myself up for a fall? I already know it will be handled with care, honesty and fairness. I am very aware of MB's past, but not in its entirety.

I have already asked myself why MB put himself in this position if he did truly love my sister. Perhaps he put himself in this position for not only the love of my sister, but also the teen. He is in this position because he attempted to handle the situation without help. Did he try to get help? Possibly. What about CPS?

I'm making no judgement until MB is given a fair trial. Ask yourself this question, "What if MB was simply trying to help this troubled teen?" I can only look at both sides right now until I see proven truth. MB deserves a CHANCE to prove himself, as does everyone else in this country.

When the truth comes forth we all will haved learned a lesson. This includes MB, the victims, families, friends and children. Most of us will choose to be stronger from it.

Lets look forward - regardless of this story's ending. What are we going to do if it turns out this way? What are we going to do if it turns out that way? How are we going to make a better future and not dwell on the past? It's my stand on in life.

P.S. - Thank you Arlington for your last comment. I understand.

I'm glad the death of "B" is being brought up, I have been suspicious from the very beginning. I was at the hospital with the family the night he died, it was the 1st time I met MB, I got a very bad vibe that night. I was at "B"s memorial service, the flirting that took place from MB towards "B"s new Widow was disturbing to say the least, at the SERVICE for God's sake! When I learned MB moved in with "B"s widow so soon, and everything that followed I was very upset, and suspicious! It's all too wierd. Sadly I am, not surprised to learn of the recent charges against MB, I hope for all of the families involved that justice will be served. I also hope for the family of "B" that even though it will be very painful, maybe there will be answers and yet again more justice!

To Unbelievable, I honestly do not know if the Mark Evan Brown in all of the cases on the courthouse's website are indeed this person. I'm eager to see comments after tonight's Board Mtg.

has anyone alerted disneyland? MB in Cali!

To Suspicious 2, you are not alone in your observations of the flirtatious behaviors in the church, at the funeral, with "B's" coffin in front of them. In front of ALL of us!

BROTHER-I really am sorry for your pain. However, I have no understanding of waiting for MB's case to come full circle, nor why your sister would be alone in another state with him. I could never leave the state without knowing the facts. The text messages should say it all. But regardless of his guilt or innocence, the bottom line is, it doesn't matter. What has already been proven is he married a girl he started having sex with at 14 years old and he was 26. This is called a pedophile. If I found this out about my husband, I would take by baby and leave, and never look back. What happens with the school incident is irrelevant. HE IS A PEDOPHILE, and I wouldn't let him any where near my baby. After reading these posts, something tells me your sister may already know that.

Knew the friend- Do you believe that there was a romance happening before the death?
Brother- I pray that your sister is not afraid for her and the babys life and that is not the reason she is away with him, I do believe she probably does love him, but is she also scared?

Lets not forget what this is all about now, there is a young girl that is a possible victim of MB and he needs to be stopped

One of my greatest fears upon learning of all of this badness is Mrs. B and the new baby boy. I want to beleive with all of my heart and soul that she had nothing to do with her husband "B"s death....that the only reason she hooked up so fast with MB was out of grief and despair, please let that be so. A part of me wonders if she had anything to do with "B"s death because she wanted to be with MB. Only time will tell. To "Knew the friend"...I'm pretty sure you can't leave state when you are out on bail!
Peace.

Hmmmmm, Out on bail.~ On a whim goes to California. ~ What country is next to California? ~ Oh yeah, Mexico! Isnt that where Scott Petersen tried to run to when out on bail?

It seems as if some of you just want to hold hands around the campfire singing Kumbaya! Wake up! God is showing you what and who this man is, plus the corruption of the board. Of course we need to pray about all these things. Read this blog and see what the Lord has revealed. Stop fooling yourselves and get away from the fire before you get burned!!!! God didnt rebuild or take back Sodom and Gommorah. He took out the faithful and DESTROYED the place!

To sb, I do not know if there was a romance before the death and will not comment on any feelings or suspicions I may have, only on things I know for certain. I do know they were seen having dinner together before the death and I know MB moved in with her immediately following the death.

I also KNOW that a young girl is hurting and that because of her pain this forum has allowed a lot of people to discuss their own pain and pieces of their own stories. I don't want the family of this girl, or the families of the students in this school to think any of us who are speaking of "B" have forgotten about the girl and her family.

I would first like to say I am sorry for the pain of everyone in this. Especially MB's current wife. I am not christian but my thoughts go out to you. I know how much you have had to put up with these last few years with the death of "B" and now this. Too much for such a young woman.
I am also very sorry for the student in question, and another other (including MB's first wife) young girls who were made victims of MB's corrupt ways.
I also knew "B" and I had immediate suspicions to the events surrounding his death. I was also there at the memorial service and MB said something while giving a speach at B's service. He was talking mostly about B's wife and not about his departed friend. And he said something like "B" was so lucky because she is a 10. It was very wierd.
Nevertheless the point is this should all be looked into. He is odviously a very disturbed person. These suspicions don't just fly out of now where.
Think about it all.

Wow... "SB" I will bet my life there was no romance between MB and my sister before B's death.

"Lets not forget what this is all about now, there is a young girl that is a possible victim of MB and he needs to be stopped"

If she's "possibly" a victim why does he need to be stopped? What if she's not the only victim?

There are potentially lots of victims here... including the families, friends, school, and obviously the accused and accuser.

"Knew the friend," can you please tell me where and how you learned about MB and my sister seen having dinner together before B's death? Also, what do you mean by "immediately" moved in together after B's death? How long is "immediately" to you?

This is an 'open' forum for everyone to express their pain.

Brother, If this was my sister with MB i would be very worried about her. Arent you? Don't you think after these accusations of rape, Concrete High cheerleaders and pretty much a whole school ready to run him out on a rail, and friends that have questioned his behavior, that he is an upstanding man? What about the victims parents? Abusers? Why would they threaten a law suit and a no contact order against him? That doesnt sound like abusers to me, it sounds like concerned parents trying to get him to stay away from their kid. I think MB took advantage of your sister at a time where he knew she was most vulnerable. I dont blame her, shes just another tragic chapter in this con mans life.

This blog is an amazing resource. It is remarkable to see the amount of people coming together to express their concerns. It really is the power of the people! Take what you want from it.
I read your last comments Sadnesss... there were a few things you mentioned that I never saw. Unless someone changed their identity, you are the third person who's mentioned the "wierdness" associated with B's death. I never realized anything to what you all were speaking of while seeing B in the hospital and at his memorial service. I don't even remember MB speaking of my sister as a 10. To be honest, I can't remember anything at the hospital or memorial service relating to MB and my sister. I didn't even think about looking at it.

I am very worried about my sister right now. Don't know what to do about it. My email is thomash101775@yahoo.com.

To Brother, my heart goes out to you, your family and most especially to your sister and her new baby boy. I will not comment further on their having been seen out to dinner, and that alone is certainly not proof of anything. MB was with your sister immediately, spending most of his time with her from the day of the death and often staying at the house. I do not have a specific date of when he "officially" moved in with her but it was within the first four to six weeks. The death was right before Christmas and he was living with her in February. When MB spoke at the funeral he spoke mostly about your sister, how beautiful she was, what a wonderful person she was, how lucky "B" had been to have her, all true, but inappropriate in that moment. He barely mentioned his deceased friend. It was very weird.

Brother, let's lay it on the line. MB was seen out with your sister prior to Bretts' death, FACT!. He was moved in before Christmas day, FACT! They were an obvious "item" before New Year's Day, FACT! I'm not sure which funeral service you were at but his speached focused on little of Brett and a lot on your sister, FACT!

The facts are you are a nice guy that is concerned about your sister. Before, with Brett and your sister, you were not closely invovled in thier life enough to see these things going on. Even at this point you have no clue of the REAL MB! Hell, I've known him for nearly 20 years and it took nearly all of that time to see the real MB. I am not knocking you, just letting you know that you need to step WAY back and focus, recall and piece the puzzle together. The picture you will see is not a good one.

As for Bretts' death, I personally could never call it a homicide as I couldn't prove such a thing. I can so with 100% confidence that it was not a suicide. I mean 100%

Brother, I am truly sorry for what your sister is going through. I do agree with everyone please keep an eye on your sister and her son for her safety. Your sister is still loved by Brett's family. I know they would love a chance to see her son and her. They do not want anything to do however with Mark. As for me Mark could fall off the world and I would not request it to stop and let him back on. After things he has done to others he is the lowest form of life. I understand your position wanting to reserve your thoughts in case. Please be careful.
My bad feelings about him began way back when I heard about his behavior with his best friends soon to be wife. Then lieing saying he was just trying to see if she would be faithful to him.
I would have kicked him to the curb (or farther) if he'd done that with mine.
As others have said please watch out for your sister and her safety. My prayers and helping thoughts go out to you, your family and also Brett's family and other friends.
I also wish the parents and Students at HCS good luck and success in regaining the pride, dignity and control of their school.
In answer to the question asked by King 5 Yes I think the law is FAR TOO LENIENT for sex offenders and preatory Criminals especially those where kids are concerned.
I wish all of you good luck, much success and safety. Unless I am asked anything more this will be my final post here. The facts are out and the power is in the voices. Good luck to all. God bless you, protect you and keep you safe from ALL HARM. B.P.H.

Brother - I definitely remember MB referring to your sister being a 10 when he spoke at the funeral, and I remember cringing when I heard it. It's not that I felt it was untrue, everything he'd said about her was quite true. Your sister is a beautiful, wonderful woman with a sweet, loving and good heart and "IF" there were any foul play involved here I do not feel she knew of it or had any involvement. IF there was foul play, your sister, in my opinion, is merely another of MB's innocent victims. It wasn't what he WAS saying, it was about the things he WASN'T saying about his friend. He only touched briefly on his friend. MB was "B's" BEST friend, this tragedy happened in his home, yet he barely mentioned his fallen friend, instead choosing to make the majority of his remarks about your sister's beauty etc. All of the other speakers who spoke of "B" certainly mentioned your sister, paid their respects to her and then talked about his many accomplishments, his committment to the children he helped through his work with CPS, his enormous heart and his, profound love for his wife and all of his family and shared funny rememberances of times spent with "B". Lots of endearing and sometimes silly little stories of "B's" life and how he had impacted their own life. I was in far too much pain to process any of what seemed like unusual behavior at that time, but I certainly haven't forgotten ANY of it. When he was so quick to move in with her it was too creepy for most of us to deal with, it was like he just stepped into "B"s shoes.......literally. I know how devastated your sister was, and I know how vulnerable she was. And my prayers are for her, the sweet new baby boy and for all of your family during this ost difficult of times.

I was unable to attend the meeting last night. However, I understand no questions were answered? Could someone please let me know the details. Thanks

I’m 3 states away and so angry over this! What country are we in because the last time I checked people are innocent until proven guilty and people need to stop for a minute and remember that! These poor families are going through hell right now; everyone the Brown’s family, the poor girl who needs help and to be protected not from Mark but her family that is supposed to be protecting and caring for her and the school kids who are confused and unsure about what to believe.
Tabloid journalism in Snohomish County has destroyed so many innocent people over the years! INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!!
People are coming out of the wood works here trying to expose skeletons and destroy a man but you’ve got to remember he’s got family and friends and people care.
I will be the first to say that I hold no respect for a sex offender and (I’ was a victim at a young age by my stepfather). So to KC whom is saying these things you forgot to mention a few things that you wanted him back, you were upset when you found out he’d moved on. Why would you want someone back who you claim is a pedophile? Why did you come to the hospital when his best friend died? You rushed to be at Mark's side. Now you didn’t think anything about him working at a school; I am out raged when/if I ever find out that my stepfather has been around children sorry sweetheart I’m not buying it. Take your vengeance elsewhere.
Now let’s back up to another unfortunate time:
There was a man who was sick who had a problem his wife worried and concerned sought out people to try to help him so you see them together I question did you hear their conversation to? If you had you would have heard words such as intervention and rehab. Where were you in all of this? Did you ignore the signs of a sick person struggling and avoid talking about it and are now filled with regrets? Is that why you are bringing this to the table?
Sitting at the hospital watching everyone struggle with the reality that a friend was not going to make it was devastating and there was not any flirting going on. The heartache everyone felt was very apparent. I repeat there was not any flirting going on. There was however pain, hurt and lot’s of devastation.
The backlash of hurt and bitter people are making some pretty outrageous accusations and if they truly were experiencing it with all of the rest of us then I question and ask who could say such awful things. (20 years huh, that’s not hard to figure out either).
Let’s jump ahead a bit what happened that morning a friend giving CPR, calling 911and trying to help, begging a friend to come back, later sitting in the hospital after everyone had left not wanting to leave his side. He sat there unable to move from his best friend’s bedside devastated and unable to grasp that he was gone. He sat up all night talking and crying.
Friends and family surrounded these two and in the days to come they were grieving with their own families and friends. I was at the funeral and I recall a lot of what Mark had to say – some old stories about how they met, how much he loved him, what their last conversation was, how he hurt for the loss of his best friend.
Friends and family had weekly get-togethers with these people and there was not a love story playing out there was a lot of anger, sadness, grief and heartache.
In the later months yes the only two people who could even begin to grasp what they had lost; a best friend and a widow did share time together sharing stories of their loved one whom they lost. It’s fairly common for people who’ve shared a major loss to become close and learn how to move on together.
Now let’s get over the bitterness and get back to the real issue.
Families are hurting and people need help. Don’t believe everything you hear in the media its drive is to sell stories without consideration of facts or those affected.
I’ve known these people for years and will be completely dumbfounded if this case plays out the way the media is implying. I question how he will get a fair trial with all of publicity on this case. Well we are talking about Snohomish County in that county that’s they way they play. I pray for the sake of everyone involved that they will get the facts out and that the media will give the Browns a PUBLIC APOLOGY once this is over.
These people are loved and there is respect for them.

The truth will come out!!! you sound like MB he is a couple states away!

One thing for sure THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT!!

To ANNOYED 2 states away This is just a blog. A public forum where we are able to express our opinions.
This is not judge, jury, and executioner.
As you were able to express your opinion so should we be able to express ours. Sure there are two sides to every story. I appreciate you sharing yours but, I also appreciate others sharing theres.
Either way it's still disturbing. And once he is put on trial the truth will be known.

Did anyone attend the meeting with the board last night? Just wondering what kind of answers they gave to what happened.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that if nothing else MB is a shady character with some serious issues to work out. You make him out to be a saint....I have a very hard time believing that.

ANNOYED-sHAME ON YOU FOR DEFENDING THIS PEDOPHILE.It sounds as though you may know him, so you obviously know he married his former 14 year old victim. Even further shame for you critizing his ex-wife. How dare you? She was raped by a 26 year old man, and manipulated & victimized for years. The media is not to blame, it is Mark Brown's own actions. He is a proven pedophile before this case. We don't need any more information. But if you do, I understand those texts messages are disgusting.

Apparently there is quite a large public record file on this case - I suppose all it takes is a trip to the Snohomish County Records Dept or Courthouse. If I recall correctly - they charge $.25 per page to be photocopied...and yes, I've spoken with one person already who HAS SEEN the entire record and yes - apparently the text messages are discusting...as well as UNDENIABLE.

How can you sleep at night defending a man who preys on children???

That's exactly what I thought when I read the comment by "annoyed". I wouldn't put it past Mark Brown to get on here and attempt to manipulate all the people reading this blog by pretending he is someone else. He is not the type of person who will just sit back and to this day will try anything he can to try to convince the world that he is someone he is not. If I have to give him credit for anything he is very good at what he does. Too good. On the other hand, "annoyed" could be one of the many who seem to still be caught in his web and do not see him for what he really is.

Well, it's a good think you can't get arrested for being creepy....and many of MB's actions are just that - creepy but not necessarily illegal. However, having a sexual relationship with a 14 or 15 year old girl when you are 26 or 27 is illegal. You just can't sweep that under the rug. The writer two states away castigates Casey, MB's ex-wife and tries to make it out as though she was in the wrong? We are all in the wrong for knowing about their illicit relationship and not doing anything about it 10 years ago. Maybe if enough of us had called CPS and the Police, then we wouldn't be here today.
But here we are, with an opportunity to make things right. It is children that we need to protect. If MB was so worried about his reputation, he wouldn't have given in to his twisted nature and preyed upon young girls. I hope every girl he has hurt comes out of the woodwork and points a finger at this pedophile

I want you all to know I have been watching this communication very closely every day. The emotions this have stirred in me and Brett's sister and all of Brett's family has been imeasurable.
I have been waiting to hear how the board meeting went last night and to tell all of you parents I wish you the best of luck and continued stregnth in your quest to build a SAFE and loving school for your precious children. As you already know Brett worked for CPS with his purpose being to keep children safe at all costs. I would say to him "ok my soldier, go save at least one child today". And he would say back to me "ok mom, I will."
The loss of Brett affected so many people because he was such a loving young man to so many. He would tell me how he was able to feel such empathy towards people and he felt blessed for that, but I knew that it took a toll on him because he gave so much of himslef to so many.
Brett had a disease called Interstitial Cystitis, also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome. He battled with that since he was a teenager. It is very rare in young men and extremely painful. I once had a urologist tell me after I told him what Brett had "oh no, I would not wish that on my worst enemy" But Brett while fighting that, went to college, got his degree and served his community and also fell in love with the girl of his dreams.
He adored his sister and her precious kids with all his mite, as she adored Brett! I could never describe the pain and emptiness we endured with his passing and still do. I pray none of you ever know that.
Brett's sister and myself and all who love him want to thank each of you who wrote good about Brett. And to those of you who had the courage to voice your concerns I wanted you in particular to know I am following ever word that is being written and will continue to. Also know, I have spoken to the proper authorites about Brett's death and will stay in contact with them.
To you Brother, thank you for loving Brett as you do your sister and know that we ALL are praying for her and her precious baby and your family. Follow your gut feelings Brother and what ever you do stay in contact with her!
To "bigger picture" and "another friend" you clearly have a lot to say and I thank you. I don't want any of you to leave this now.
Thank you all

Brett was very loved and a very good man. I am glad that you are going to the authorities surrounding his death MOM.
We all love and miss him very much.

The board gave NO answers last night. NO apology. No admittance that they had done anything wrong. I wanted to see them humbled and sorry but they were obviously being very careful with the lawyer right there. They are more concerned about the lawsuit than anything else. That was clear. There were alot of very good comments about what needed to happen to make the school right. Did anyone else notice the look on Kristin Sandes face when people mentioned that the board needed to do things differently or that they had really let us down? It would be easy to get caught up in all the hoopla about the school being a better place and moving forward. They did use alot of "God talk" to give the appearance that they are seeking Him. They will probably make a few changes to make people happy but overall their focus is on the school as a business. I am not speaking of the board as a whole but there are definitely a few that need to go!

OF COURSE everyone is innocent until proven guilty. People here are merely expressing individual thoughts and concerns, it seems as though several people have been holding in a lot of emotions & concerns regarding Brett's death and this forum has permitted them to speak of some of them, nothing more.

Annoyed said; "There was a man who was sick who had a problem his wife worried and concerned sought out people to try to help him so you see them together I question did you hear their conversation to? If you had you would have heard words such as intervention and rehab."

We are all aware of that, however I find it contradictory when I read the following in the responding Police Officer's report;
"I asked BROWN if there was any drug history with Brett. BROWN stated that he did have a problem with his prescription drugs about a year ago, but that he was doing fine for the last year."

How is it that he had been discussing intervention and rehab with Brett's wife and then saying that Brett had been doing fine for the last year?

No one has said anything regarding flirtatious behaviors at the hospital, several people saw it at the funeral.

This is not the time or place to challenge things or to try to prove who is right and who is wrong, and if that time comes it will be in the legal system.

Parents at HCS - PLEASE get out your bylaws and find out how you can get rid of this board. Why they are still in a position of leadership is beyond me. Seems to me, that if this WAS a parent run school and the By-Laws have not been formally changed (according to by-law procedures) then you, as parents, should be able to demand they step down and have an election to vote in a new board.

It also seems to me that the school has become much larger than when it started and is probably too big to have it be "parent run/owned" effectively any longer. I would suggest that you find yourselves a spiritual, Christian covering that can lend wisdom, direction and protection as you move forward in this process.

DON'T just sit back and let this board be in control any longer - that's ludicrous. For one thing, they have lost your trust and betrayed their position in representing the PARENTS in their positions. Secondly, if they have an attorney (which they undeniably need)controlling what they can and can't say - how can they work WITH the parents in straightening this all out. If they stay in power I would be pulling my kids out YESTERDAY!

Jan said - God didn't rebuild or take back Sodom and Gomorrah. He took out the faithful and destroyed the place. WOW - good point. I hope it hasn't come to this, but if this board doesn't go I don't know how Christian families could justify supporting the school any longer.

DO, thanks for letting us know about the meeting last night. You are right to assess that the board is running a business. Sounds like the parents need to form together and perhaps hire an attorney - or maybe there is someone within the parent group who can give legal advice. I think you all ought to do the following:
1. Fire the board or request their resignations. This is in response not only to hiring MB, but also to the lack of action when serious problems should have been addressed.
2. Look into all contracts made since MB became principal.
3. Regroup spiritually. Focus on healing internally and take focus off external things.

Does anyone know who a parent can talk to about whats going on. I need to know if Joey Brown is going to be investigated. I understand there are allegations against him also (past allegations). I do not feel comfortable sending my children to that school unless I know for sure everyone has been cleared. Any suggestions?

parent - my guess is that whoever was directly involved with Joey Brown would need to come forward. Dad was on TV and came across just as arrogant and pompass as Mark so my guess, although I don't know Joey is that the fruit doesnt fall far from the tree...
I also would be leary to have my children associated with that school.

As Do stated the Board was not their to answer questions. All who signed in to speak were given 3 min. It was not a time to ask a question to get answers. They allowed people to speak they took down notes . Supposeively they will be answers to these questions in there next meeting which is scheduled for Aug. 11th. Enough was said by the reaction that Kristin Sande had when a parent brought would bring up a ligitimate question. She had the nerve to roll her eyes on more than one occassion. If that was not enough for parents to get a clue I don't know what else could possibly open their eyes. Unfortunately my impression is that the majority fell right into it that type of attitude. They also did not want to hear anything "negative" I am still in shock. So be it now they cannot say that they "didn't know" they don't want to know.

I hope Mark finally gets what he deserves. He has been lying and manipulating for way to many years. I was one of those girls he tried to manipulate. He would sneak me out of my window and get me drunk. I wouldn't necessary call him a pedafile, but he is definately a manipulator and a very good liar. He preys on easily accessible woman and girls, but he was never forceful. He would make you feel like you are the only one and then sleeps with your best friend. Nice guy...Annoyed 2 states away, right?
Here you go again, trying to act like you care about these poor families going through hell. Was it not you Mark who have put these poor families through hell?
The truth is coming out and it doesnt look very good for Mark. Hopefully his wife will figure it out before it's too late.

shocking -

have you reported what you've told us here? Are you currently a minor? How long ago did this happen? It may be relevant in making sure this doesnt happen again. He will do it again if not stopped

There is an article in the everett herald about the board having its meeting last night. It states that they met with the staff monday evening and the staff stands behind the board. It also states that the board planned to share its future plans. Doesn't sound very promising to me.
Annoyed 2 states away sounds like MB to me. Is he really 2,3,or 0 states away and trying to fool all of us.

I'm not so sure it matters where he is...he is still a danger to our children

It does matter if he is in violation of his bail.

Unbelievable: My experience was from 1990-1991 Thought it should be known how long he has been at this game.

I agree that it does matter if it is in violation of his bail, but my guess is that this website is not going unmonitored so if he is in violation of his bail I'm sure the authorities will take care of his wandering self upon his return

Shocking - in 90-91 he must have been somewhere in the 19 year old range...correct? How old were you at the time?

Do and So done,

You were not alone in your observations of Mrs. Sande's eye-rolling and other extremely disrespectful reactions. I did not see anyone else on the Board show the same disrespect, however.
I appreciated the Board's opening statement confessing that mistakes had been made. I am still hopeful that we can salvage the school but believe that if every detail is not open to all for study, it will not be possible to make accurate and right-minded judgments. It appears that it will take some more time before all is brought into the light of day.

Unbelieveable: I was 14-15 and my best friend was the same. He didn't get anywhere with me, so he moved on to my best friend and I'm sure the chain just kept going from there. At least it's in the open now.

i was discouraged by at the board meeting. I will not be sending my kids back. I'd be a fool!! If Kristin Sande is an example of what and who we have making decisions for us, no way. Immature and totally disrespectful!

To the Board-PLEASE HONOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND TAKE THE WORD CHRISTIAN out of YOUR school.

It has become the BOARDS school as long as they are in control.
Parents- Dont be afraid to leave a place that you and your children have become too comfortable with. Lot left after the Lord said, GO!! He ran went without looking back! Sodom and Gomorrah was NEVER rebuilt, And Lot never went back to reclaim it. Teach yourself and your children NOT to compromise THEIR BELIEFS because you/they are too familiar or too comfortable with this school and school board, or anything in life. The school board is showing pride and arrogance. They certainly messed up. Having an Attorney by their side at that meeting shows me that they KNOW they messed up. They dont want to accept THEIR responsibility!

Well said Pat K ….
Having worked with at risk teens I know that they are very unstable and reactive, we in the community, schools and private citizens, must always Error on the side of the child. Find the facts then proceed.
This crime will affect the lives of this community, school, and families and who knows how many innocent children, F O R E V E R …
You are right Pat K . I too hope this brings forth the wounded children that this man has manipulated, and being a cynic, I hope he never has a another peaceful nights sleep... Sleep with one eye open Mr. Brown because the ghosts of your past are coming to get you..
Standing Pat …

I have been “on the fence” since the allegations started. I know that some of you think telling about what Mark Brown has done in his past, is just that the past…… But there is a BIGGER PICTURE HERE! After reading these blogs from the beginning, I am completely sick by what I have been hearing. It sounds like there are a few of you here that really do know the real Mark. I haven’t been able to sleep because of this. Yes, Bigger Picture Here and Knew the Friend I believe EVERY WORD of what you are saying.
So here I am, and this is what I know……

I have known Mark Brown for many years! His manipulations and lies have been going on since he was a young man.

Mark always is calculated and very strategic with any thing he is doing. Everyone wants to think that he is a Pedafile, which he may be, but what I know Mark Brown as is a MASTER MUNIPULATOR on a very large scale. All the facts about what he did with the school are out there. Put them together and you will see the big picture….

Mark Brown is about the power and control; he surrounds himself with people he can manipulate. Not just the 14 year old girlS (who are young and naïve) but the widowed wife (in pain), or the women that is unhappy with her marriage (he will console them), or just divorced,and a guy like Brett (also young and naïve when they met and took under his wings). Mark has been with plenty of girls his own age, as far as if he was faithful in those relationships… That’s a whole other chapter. It’s about easy prey for him, getting what ever it is that he wants.
I thought the comment about him putting the moves on his friends soon to be wife to test her was interesting, he’s used that one several times before in his past. Very convincing isn’t he? He has had several affairs with the wives of his so called friends.
This is a scary person. And just think, the only reason any of you (that don’t know Mark) know these facts is because after putting in place what he (Mark) felt was a secure environment to do what HE WANTED he must have felt a little TOO invincible. He even “created” a sports program, so that he could accommodate his brother with a job. Of course with Joey Brown side by side with him, it made him feel even more untouchable.
As far as the latest young lady, if it hadn’t gone there yet it would have. (Another master plan)

You say he is “creepy” but most of these things are not criminal. That’s because the opportunity he wanted had no need to go criminal. Maybe in Brett’s case it did????
I also knew Brett. I would hope what I heard is not true.
He and all the people who Love him didn’t deserve this.
Where was Mark that night anyway????? and where was Brett’s wife, was she there???????????????????

Mark Brown is able to create plans with several different scenarios “years” in advance and just sit and wait for the perfect opportunity then execute them precisely……

Like I’ve said before “in a very large scale.” We’re talking years of planning here. Once he has is in his mind what he wants he will get it. We can not let him continue this behavior!!!
So yes, Mark Brown is a Leader. Not the type we need dwelling around in our Society. We all know some Leaders lead in very wrong directions.
As for the rest of the family you ask A.D. or Joey Brown the whole apple not falling far from the tree, they are all the same only on different intelligence levels (some smarter than others). You probably should look into the BROWN’S history. Especially if any of them are working with kids!!

To Jumped the Fence. Wow. I don't think that could have been better said. That just makes my heart hurt.
How scary to know what a manipulator he is!
If you have best friends you probably are or have been close to their parents right? Well after Brett died Mark refused to talk to Brett's mom. She wanted answers about that night and just had questions and he just stopped returning her phone calls and talking to her.
That's just crazy!
There are just so many things that don't feel right and can't be right with this whole situation.

Standing Pat, don’t you think it is time for people to come forward and recount the wrongs that have been done to them by MB in an official way? I know that the statute of limitations has run out for many girls; nevertheless, I think they should go on record. As a matter of fact, I think there should be no statute of limitations for pedophiles, but that is another matter. I do not know what to think about Joey Brown. It isn’t fair to be judged by your brother’s actions, but Joey is an uncertified teacher and, at the very least, needs proven credentials to be around young people. Christian schools have a lot more leeway in their hiring process, and I think that is so they can utilize lay personnel like parents, but that doesn’t mean you have to trust everyone who calls you “brother”, right?

Yes you are right Mark did manupilte the people around Him. He came into our school and with in a years time had control over the board. They gave him complete control of the school. They said they did a background check, they must be very simple minded or easily impressioned, because there were plenty of people that had strong decernment about Mark and could see right through him. Others having bad experiences with him, and not getting anywhere with the board, did background checks on their own and found plenty. Maybe you should ask the board for a copy this background check. Not sure if its the entire board or a couple of bullies that are controlling the show, but someone had stars in their eyes. Again the Browns minipulating weak people. And as for Mrs. Sande, you are right I've heard from more than one person that they are disgusted with her imature attitude. Someone mentioned in the meeting that sometimes the media can be taken out of context, and she was nodding her head like it was loose and did this little flip flop thing with her hands like what she said was really not what she said.

It was their attorney that made that statement about "that sometimes the media can be taken out of context"

It sounded like he was referring to what was written in a news paper I don't know if he forgot that they showed her say that also on TV.

Mr. Sande was just as abnoxious & totally an embarrassement. I don't know what his point was when he was sharing how when his daughter has her friends over he assumes the roll of the protector to make sure nothing happens to them.

That actually makes our case about the roll of the school when our children are in their school they need to have the responsibilty to protect each & evryone of them.

To Jumped the fence - wow. The story Brett's Mother was given was that Mark slept upstairs in his room, and Brett slept on the couch. They had been drinking, and reportedly Brett's wife told him, on the phone, to stay the night. There are many things that don't add up, but this is not the place to go into them.

To Sadness - You are absolutely right, he did refuse to talk to Brett's Mom, he wouldn't return her phone calls, or respond to her emails. All she wanted, especially in the first few days and weeks was to know what her son had talked about that night, what his demeanor had been, how was he, and he slammed the door in this loving, grieving, broken hearted woman's face. As time went on he put up one roadblock after another, Brett's mother has still not had the pictures she contributed to the funeral returned, supposedly they don't know where they are. Two years after his death, amid a very hostile environment, Brett's sister attempted to have some of Brett's things returned to his Mom and his Dad, and to her as well. Mark said that the only member of Brett's family allowed in his home was Brett's Dad, who lives in Alaska. Why would he say this? Brett's Mom never, not one time, said or did anything to cause his cruel behaviors. She supported their relationship because she couldn't bear to deal with any more pain, and yet she was told that Mark didn't know where Brett's clothes were, or any number of excuses. Where was his wife in all of this? Anytime there was any interaction between Brett's Mom and Mark's wife, Mark took over and made all the decisions and laid down the law. Eventually some items were located under their house and returned to Brett's Mom and sister. This is just the tip of a very cold ice berg, and just one of hundreds of odd things that make you go 'wait a minute, that's just not right.' Too many things that leave you shaking your head and drying your tears and trying to make sense out of a senseless situation.

Wow.... that's all I can say about that meeting. The Blind leading the Blind.

The best think that the Board did say is that if a family chooses to leave that they would not be held to there contract that was revised & changed in the end of June. Of course that was when a parent expressed that they were concerned about the timeline of these events & when the new contracts were sign. The Board didn't address that question a member quickly stood up & made that announcement.

I was disturbed at the meeting to hear everyone clapping and cheering at some of the statements that were made by those in support of the board. Wolves in sheep's clothing that's all I have to say. It goes much deeper than Mark Brown. The meeting was a manipulation in itself. They were there to justify themselves and convince everyone why Highland is the place to be. It seemed like there were so many people fooled. It's good to hear that we were not the only ones who saw through it. I guess there will always be those who just don't want to see the truth but it is very sad that they will continue as a "christian" school.

I attended the meeting Thursday night at the school and had some observations. The board made it really clear at the start that the meeting was mostly about them listening to the parents and other attendees, and they definitely got an earful even from people who clearly support them. The format of the meeting seemed to be designed to gag the board members for the most part, leaving some simple questions unanswered, and leaving about 75% of the time for getting input. That was kind of weird since none of the unanswered questions were very legal in nature, nothing that might prompt the lawyer to pipe up and cut them off, and probably could have been answered or at least partially answered on the spot. I think that was an unfortunate consequence of the format and not evasive. The lawyer's only real comments were regarding speaking to the media and how they selectively use your words in ways you might not intend--good advice in my opinion--after already seeing how they sliced and diced some of the interviews.

Without a doubt the most shocking thing I learned at the meeting was that Mrs. Baxter was let go, she says fired. She is clearly the best school teacher I have ever met. Mrs. Baxter has a background in special education and moved to the school to get away from the public school system. She has been a great asset to the school. My younger son has benefited greatly from her teaching his 1st grade class along with many other kids in his class and the years before. With the board looking into some of the actions Mark Brown took and reviewing them, I certainly hope that they consider bringing her back for this coming school year. I know she would go back if asked.

My wife and I had plenty of time to talk with the board members after the meeting. We stayed probably 1/2 hour and the place was still filled with people talking about all kinds of subjects, talking with board members and just socializing when we left. I talked with Mrs. Baxter and some of the parents, then met up with my wife as she was sitting on the edge of the stage talking with Kristin Sande. We talked about what went on at the meeting and about some of the issues the school is dealing with. I found her to be very open and honest with the facts and with her opinions. What pleased me the most was she talked about what mattered for the school & the kids and not much about Mr. Brown. I am convinced that the school will emerge from this crisis a much better place for our kids and am confident in the board's ability, as our representatives, to pull things together.

Some people here have seen fit to personally attack individual members of the board. Specifically, picking on Mrs. Sande, who received the unfortunate honor of being the board's face for the media. There's nothing wrong with her. I didn't see anyone confronting her at the meeting about eye rolling and other things she is accused of here. That would have been the time to do it, in person and not anonymously on a web site. She's just doing her job representing the board that was elected by us. They are just parents like most of us with the exception of one who is a recent graduate of the school. Blame them as a group if you want. Ask for their resignations if you want. Picking on the individual board members does nothing to solve the overall problems we all face. Just remember who the real enemy is and, whether you support them or not, they will most likely be the ones leading us out of this mess.

The real enemy we face isn't Mr. Brown, the board nor any of the rest of us. Satan is the enemy. If anyone doubts that Satan prowls the world in search of people to devour, we now have a prime example of his evil influence and desire to bring down people in leadership like Mr. Brown. Our Lord instructs us to pray for our leaders. I think it is perfectly appropriate for all of us, including both Mr. Brown's strongest supporters and critics alike, to pray for him and his family that Satan not have his way with them and that the truth, no matter how painful, will be revealed. We also must not forget to pray in the same way for his current accuser, our current leaders and future leaders. I plan to step up my efforts to pray for our leaders. I hope the rest of you will join me in this.

And, to the several people who have said clearly that they think the parents are all being fooled, duped into following people who don't know what's really going on, and thing like that, I would ask on what grounds do you think that you know better what's best for me and my family that I do? Anonymous posts on a web site don't do much to convince me that you have anything worthwhile to say. Even the people who spoke at the meeting indicating that the parents were uninvolved fools didn't take a moment to say why they thought they were more informed than the rest of us. If you really think you have the inside track and I am out in the cold, put forth your evidence and convince me...and please take a few seconds and sign it with your real name.

Our plan is to have our boys continue to attend Highland Christian School and to have our daughter start kindergarten there in 4 years when she's old enough to go. If the kids are not able to be there for the first day of school it will be for economic reasons only. That's a problem we will solve with the Lord's guidance and mercy. Even if our kids are not in attendance, I plan to be an active supporter of the school and will stick with the other families that choose to stay and seize this opportunity. Some say this is the worst disaster we could have for the upcoming school year. Instead I think if we all choose to come together with a unified purpose, this could be our finest hour.

Brown, Joey A
Defendant Jefferson District 11704 05-10-2007
2 Brown, Joey A
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div C06-01074 12-07-2006
3 Brown, Joey A
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div C07-00915 09-06-2007
4 Brown, Joey A
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div S07-00259 12-14-2007
5 Brown, Joey A
Judgment Debtor Snohomish Superior 08-9-03127-0 02-07-2008
6 Brown, Joey A
Defendant Snohomish Superior 08-2-02322-1 02-07-2008
7 Brown, Joey A
Petitioner Snohomish Superior 89-2-04889-1 08-18-1989
8 Brown, Joey A
Respondent Snohomish Superior 96-3-00724-4 03-14-1996
9 Brown, Joey Allan
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div C07-00147 02-16-2007
10 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div 2577 06-30-1992
11 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson District 7000 05-20-2002
12 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson District 7031 07-22-2002
13 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div C00013171 03-31-1995
14 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Sno Co-cascade Div I00176797 02-27-2006
15 Brown, Joey Allen
Petitioner Jefferson District 8927 06-24-2002
16 Brown, Joey Allen
Respondent Jefferson District 8907 06-10-2002
17 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson District CR0002614 06-13-2002
18 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson District CR0004876 01-22-2008
19 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson District CR4737JC 12-03-2003
20 Brown, Joey Allen
Judgment Debtor Snohomish Superior 99-9-01054-3 02-18-1999
21 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Snohomish Superior 99-2-01353-9 02-18-1999
22 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson Superior 98-8-00113-6 09-03-1998
23 Brown, Joey Allen
Defendant Jefferson Superior 02-1-00057-1 06-13-2002
24 Brown, Joey Allen
Respondent Jefferson Superior 98-2-00019-7 01-21-1998
25 Brown, Joey Allen
Judgment Debtor Snohomish Superior 97-9-02246-4 04-17-1997
26 Brown, Joey Allen
Judgment Debtor Jefferson Superior 02-9-00384-7 08-30-2002

To Robert Hagglund: You are absolutely right! I spoke to Mrs. Baxter afterwards too, gave her a nice hug. Then I went onstage to talk with Kristin Sande, I asked her if she and other Board members would recommend reinstating Mrs. Baxter, she nodded and said they will review all employees who were unjustly fired by Mark Brown.

I talked to Kristin about the statement she read last week on TV, I encouraged her in that they wanted to give Mark Brown the benefit of the doubt, she said, YES. Then a day later when they learned of his breech in his contract, the school board fired him. Are any of you soaking this in? Mark Brown was FIRED the next day for reasons unrelated to this most recent incident!! Do you all ever hear about PUBLIC school administrators getting fired within a day of allegations of rape or other indiscretions? NO!! Highland Christian responded quickly!

I will continue to send our daughter to Highland because the teachers are awesome and have a tremendous love for the Lord and our children.

Great things are ahead for Highland Christian, this unfortunate incident brought the families together. Some are still angry, well, that's for them to work out with the Lord, but I don't want to be consumed with anger, it's not good for anyone, I want to move ahead and I also want to be more involved in our school so that none of us will ever have to experience a tragedy like this again.

God Bless ALL the Families of Highland Christian and those in the community who support HCS.

If I am not mistaken, wasnt Joey Brown a teacher of our kids?? Was a background check done??? It doesnt appear so.

Robert,
You said "I didn't see anyone confronting her at the meeting about eye rolling and other things she is accused of here."
May I remind you, sir, the meeting was not about her. That would most certainly not have been appropriate but would have appeared to be a personal attack, for certain. This is not a personal attack. These are simply observations by those of us who did not miss it. I am afraid you did.

Robert,
You said "I didn't see anyone confronting her at the meeting about eye rolling and other things she is accused of here."
May I remind you, sir, the meeting was not about her. That would most certainly not have been appropriate but would have appeared to be a personal attack, for certain. This is not a personal attack. These are simply observations by those of us who did not miss it. I am afraid you did.

I am happy to see that the blogging web site is very therapeutic for many people. I am speaking on the behalf of KC. It was really upsetting to her that 2 states away or 3 states away wrote about her. I am confused if you know if you are 2 or 3 states away might want to figure that out. MB at one time meant a lot to KC. She never has really opened up about her situation publically before this instance. Maybe their relationship was wrong, but it is something she learned from. Because of it she has became one of the strongest people I know.
So I hope who ever 3 states away is even if it is MB I hope you read this.
After their marriage had ended B still meant a lot to KC so stating that she was rushing to MB’s side is a false statement. I was there when she received the phone call and her going to the hospital had to do with her friendship towards B and his wife. KC never wanted to be back with MB. She wanted her childhood years back. And was definitely focused on rekindling old friendships, dating, and just being a girl in her twenties. MB was far from her mind. She tried to be civil with MB mostly because she was scared of him. There have been confrontations between the two that she felt it was easier to not create a hostile environment. KC doesn’t need to take her “vengeance” else where sweetheart because she has done nothing wrong, but try and protect young girls from losing the childhood and teen years taken from her… so open your eyes!!!
To Mom I am so sorry for your loss I was only able to have the pleasure of meeting your son and daughter once, but you should be proud to have raised such nice people. I hope what ever did happen with B the truth comes out and your mind can be at ease.
As for the parents concern with Joey. Joey has a big heart and has children of his own who he is very involved with. He is a good coach and knows right from wrong. The apple can fall far from the tree! He is not apart of this. The focus should remain on MB and his past and present. This has obviously brought a lot of mysterious instances up and I hope they are all resolved. Students go to school knowing that god is looking out for you. I understand another young girl has been hurt and I hope for her sake she learns and becomes as strong as Casey. Justice will be served one way or another. I encourage all to write there concerns here and maybe with so many different ideas something good can come from all this pain

KRM,

You need to do research completely and not just post those court docketts. All of those you listed for Joey are for child custody hearings/divorce proceedings and a law suit as a victim of a drunk driver accident. Let's stay focused on the accused and not start speculation on someone else.

Yes, he was my son's coach and teacher last year. I looked up the same records on Mr. Brown because I was trying to find his upcoming court dates (omnibus hearing 8/7, trial 9/5) because I wanted to see if I could be there to observe and found lots of close names that weren't him. I am guessing a good number of those are traffic tickets and/or other Joey's. Most of those are probably archived so you'd need to go to the court of record and look the details up there. Clicking and seeing a PDF file would be nice because it would answer a lot of questions.

As a parent, with my own eyes, I never did see Mark and Joey do anything that would alarm me. I heard stories but they were just stories, and even they weren't bad enough to prompt me to confront either one. From what I saw myself, Joey was doing a great job with my older son and he looked forward to playing football for him this fall. That's just my own observation while at the school and what my son has told me.

Remember Jesus at the well with the accused woman. He declared that anyone who was without sin should throw the first stone and they all melted away. Just a word of caution. I'd hate to see anyone else fall into Satan's traps in the name of finding the truth. He is a sneaky one and must not be underestimated.

Just a FYI Joey has been the wrestling coach at Darrington previous years. Darrington has a strict policy for background checks just some info

Regarding eye rolling... I wasn't sitting that far back. :)

After the meeting there was plenty of time to just politely walk up and tell her how you felt. I don't find Mrs. Sande to be too terrifying.

What I am trying to say is going online and posting comments annonymously won't get you your way and does nothing to advance your agenda with the board members.

Oh, and regarding the woman and the accusers, my wife pointed out my error--that's why I do computer work and don't teach Bible. ;)

JB , Wife & kids you are in my prayers everyday. This family does not need to be attacked anymore. If JB has any skeletons in his pass in the same nature of MB I am sure by now we would all know. That was very tacky to post court information that had to do with child custody hearings/divorce proceedings and a law suit as a victim of a drunk driver accident. Hang in their JB & family!

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint

Amen! I really feel for Joey and his family.

Hi, I’m a student at highland Christian…..Coach Joey Brown is an amazing coach and teacher … I learned so much from him being at the school in weight training and as my coach … I hope he comes back and that we will still have football and all the other sports that he and his brother helped to get started… I’m sure that all of the other football players would agree that we would love for him to be there again this coming year. There is no reason to make accusations against him (Joey)….As for Mark Brown- keep him and all of his family in your prayers, along with the girl and her family…

Psalm 23; says “The Lord is my shepherded
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my sole.
He guides me paths of righteousness for
His namesake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me, You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies
He anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows
surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. –Amen!

The point I’m trying to make is that the Lord will still love and forgive ANYONE, NO MATTER WHAT!

So just remember that before we jumps to conclusions…
All we can do for the moment is pray…pray for him, his family, the school, and the students and families of the school, including the student and her family that accuse him (Mark Brown), as he will have his day here in our worldly courts along with HIS judgment day, as we all will.

May our Lord bless us ALL!

I agree with Pat K. "1.2.3."

King 5 is this the longest Blog you've had???

Just curious

How many keep refreshing?

As a mother of three, I feel we need to get back on the topic; the reporter, Rob Piercy, North Bureau Chiefs’ question; " What do you think?" because "covering this story has led him to talk to many people. Some of whom believe the law shouldn't be so hard on adults who have sex with teens. That surprised him. Others he talked to say the laws are far too lax."..... "What do you think?".... not ALL of the above comments about 'other' things answer his question and in my opinion taint the look of our GREAT school to the outside community and maybe an un-believing reader(s)...PLEASE, get back to the point of King5 news even starting this blog space... “What do you think?"... I think the justice system can be slower than we’d like and may need some adjustments; however, following God’s laws is always a good starting point! This is the best we have at this time. So, I’ll wait to see what the courts say, instead of all the rumors, gossip, stories, misguided information and hearsay as stated above, and ‘yes’ I spent the time to read them ALL!

testing

What kind of koolaid are some of the parents drinking? First of all, the school board did not take immediate action and fire MB for "breech of contract". If they had taken immediate action, this girl never would have been one of MB's victims. They ignored many complaints and allowed him use his power to victimize others. The boards "immediate" action, now stems from lawsuits. They now are disassociating themselves from MB, just as any business does. They are acting in the best interest of the business, ONLY. Wake up. That is the problem with the school, so many of you have had your head in the sand, and that is why we are in the situation we are in. The school board is no innocent victim, just as MB isn't.

SECONDLY, why are you suggesting that we make the same mistake with Joey Brown that we did with his brother? Several parents have made complaints about JB and the board has done nothing. Now I am not saying convict him, but what I am saying is that an investigation needs to be completed and he needs to be cleared before he is allowed around children. The board ignored complaints about MB and JB. You see what happened with MB. Do we let them make the same mistake again? That would only be allowing the school to be in jeporady of another lawsuit. There need to be proper policies and procedures in place that address complaints of teachers/adminstrators. Standing back, and defending JB, as you did MB, is not going to make the problem disappear. He has been accused of harassment and it needs to be investigated. Living in the idealistic world you would like to pretend exists doesn't cut it.

Robert you say "If you really think you have the inside track and I am out in the cold, put forth your evidence and convince me"

Do you really mean that? Are you willing to take a call from a parent or even better meet in person & look into my eyes while I tell you things that I personally know. I will not personally post them here.

Then you can speak with the Board & staff face to face looking into there eyes even with a gag order in your spirit you will know if they are true or not.

I'm wondering WHY, we as parents, make it so easy for these guys to have access to our young teens? I am from Darrington & know very well what goes on up there. It's one of the reasons we moved away from there. Every weekend a good majority of the kids (many as young as 12 & 13) are gathered in the woods at various party locations. The liquor flows freely & it is a haven for the 20 something guys looking for a "fun" time with the young girls who in turn are looking for someone older to care about them & pay attention to them. This is a pattern in Darrington! Mnay of the young girls (almost all with parents who are checked out of their lives) prefer the older guys & actively pursue them. The older guys take advantage of this. I am in NO way advocating this behavior is okay, only stating what happens in this small town every day. MANY parents know of these liasions between their young teens & these older guys & do nothing about it. MB learned very early on that he could get away with his behavior & it obviously continued on as he got older. So many parents are freely handing their young girls over to these guys! It is absolutely not okay, but one of the reasons it is so easy for these guys is that the parents don't care where or who their young kids are with! The girls are young & immature & shouldn't be hanging out in the woods all night partying & drinking in the first place!!! WHERE are the parents in all this?? Concerned parents & citizens in Darrington have tried over & over in Darrington to offer alternative activities for the young people, but the underage drinking & drug use continues at an alarming rate because many of the parents don't care (or are doing it themselves)! They wait until something happens to their child & suddenly they are filing lawsuits or pointing fingers. And if the parents are not there for their children it is up to teachers & other caring individuals in the community to make sure these kids are helped in the right direction. If you have to call CPS & the police every day on behalf of that child then so be it. You don't just give up & let some child molester be the one to "fix" things. In today's society it is NEVER okay for a man to be mentoring a young woman. Anyone who works with children knows this. You never work or meet with children alone & certainly the warning signs (intuitions, etc) were there with MB had anyone chosen to take notice (& act on them). But as in Darrington, everyone turns their heads & look the other way until something like this happens.

Thank you Jan for your comments. I agree with you. If the board had sincerely apologized and repented for any fault they may have had in this whole mess, I believe that it could have been a point of healing for the school. As it is, things just keep going on in the same direction. I feel that there is much more purging in the school that must take place. I have had my four children there for more than 9 years. I have seen it degenerate spiritually especially since Mark came on board. The whole way that the previous principal was fired and Mark was brought on was scandalous. We have been in the dark ever since. In the depths of my heart I can not bring myself to sending my last son back to HCS. We were already having concerns before all of this came to light and this provided an impetus for us to made a clear decision. The school needs to get back to the spiritual standards it once had. It used to be families were interviewed and at least one parent had to be a believing Christian. If a student was over 6th grade, they had to be interviewed and have a peronal relationship with Christ. Families were also supposed to be regular chuch attenders. When the school was called Master's Touch, their Motto was 'an extension of the Christian home'. I don't see it as anything like that anymore. I want all of the teachers to know, that we have appreciated your faithfulness to God and us, you are the reason we have been here this long. You are terrific, exceptional people. We will miss you.

This is getting nuts. This blog went from attacking MB to attacking JB and now attacking the entire community of Darrington. Darrington like ALL towns has their problems, it's just that they are small and everyone knows everything. Kids in larger towns hang out in different areas, having parties and young girls are going with older guys. In Arlington, Marysville, Seattle and LA. IT'S NOT JUST IN DARRINGTON. And it's NOT the entire teenage population!!! Kids are too "mature" sexually these days and not emotionally. They are bombarded on all sides with sex from tv to fashion. Even look at toddler girls clothing, it's "sexy", to immitate the older girls.
Back to the real issue, what about this young girl involved in this case? What's going on with her? Her family must be hurting so much.They need and your prayer. I hope those of you who know this family are reaching out to them in love and comfort.
MB he needs to be checked out with a fine tooth comb. I wonder also how he can be out of state and out on bond. But let's not get carried away with ideas about what he might be up to. This needs to be handled in the courts and people need to be willing to testify if asked, If not asked to testify, attend the hearings and trial anyway, if it gets to that point.
The HCS Board needs to all be fired, and the parents need to be a 100% united front and take control. Don't back down because the board has not responded in a proper manner. Continue to meet with parents as a whole. Don't be split into little groups. If they didn't listen when all the red flags were beind aired, they won't listen now either. Parents should have stood firm then. Hire qualified teachers and administrators. Perhaps it means lots more parent involvement to keep cost down,but you CAN'T PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION WITHOUT QUALITY EDUCATORS.

Wondering,just interested in knowing where you found a place to raise your kids that does not have the same problems as Darrington

Robert I guess that answers my questions about you wanting to know the truth. That is where a lot of the families are at. They are OK with making decesions for their kids based on "what they know" thus far You guys know only what you are allowed to. If you are Ok with that's very very sad.

Tyler, I am glad that you had a good year of wrestling. However, you are not a girl. The Browns seem to like girls, at least so far.

So, my theory is proven correct. Private schools, in this case "Christian" schools have the same problems as Public schools. This is an imperfect world, inhabited by imperfect people. Children need to learn to live in this environmnet. Children raised in public school screw up,do drugs and use alcohol, skip school, run away from home, etc. On the other hand many excel and go on to attend UW, WSU, Yale, Purdue and Georgetown to name a few. They make it.
Sorry to burst your little bubble, children raised in "Christian" schools do the same things. You would probably be suprised to know how many kids from the school drink alcohol and have experimented with drugs. How many kids are there because they truely want to be, or because their parents have made that choice for them?. That is okay too. Parents need to do and have the right to do what they think is right for their children. Just don't be blind to reality. All children need to learn positive survival skills to live in the real world.
MB does not represent Darrington! NOPE! NO WAY! Check the stats from everywhere.
You go, Judy, I'd also like to know where parents can raise their children in a perfect environment. Lots of people will be moving there.
The key, raise you children with moral values, teach them how to live in an imperfect world, teach them to pray and teach them to be realist. You'll be the better and so will they.

Wow...the devil really knows how to try and destroy GOD. There are only 2 blog comments on the Principal in Tacoma who is accused of rape and 236 comments for Mark Brown. That shows how much more the community holds higher standards for "christains". Where was the boards "high standards" when they hired Mark? I think the parents need to vote on whether they have confidence in the current board and if they do not-- vote in a new board.
Back to the questions that started this blog--are people punished hard enough for sex crimes? No...and can you believe in the middle of all of this the courts have ruled to not allow teachers who are accused of sexual misconduct to be public record. Isn't that how all of this started with Mark Brown in Concrete??? Look where that led.

I am a friend of the victim. Some of you keep saying that this isn't the board members fault but if the board members would have just done a background check then my friend wouldn't be hurting right now. When the board members were on the news saying that they back the principle 100% it basically ripped her heart out so i am pointing a finger.

What I would like to know is how many parents are sending their kids back to highland. a simple answer of yes or no would be nice

NO!

Friend of the Victim said:

Please tell K that we are praying for her. Please give her this scripture .

Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

I guess having Mark Brown come from Darrington looks pretty bad for this little town, right? I live in D-ton, and I have seen parent neglect up close and personal and it is shameful and often criminal, but rather than thinking it is an anomaly and confined to this small town, I rather think it is a reflection of our society and an indication of larger woes. Parents of kids in all school, both public and private, need to rise up and meet the challenge of today and protect our children, and oftentimes other people’s children, as best we can. When we moved to D-ton, MB was dating KC and I did nothing other than question her parents. I should have reported it to someone. When MB was hired by HCS, I thought HC was CRAZY and though I HOPED it wouldn’t happen, I pretty much was prepared for him to offend again. Again, I should have called someone with my concerns. So, you know what? No more. If I have a concern, I am no longer going to keep it to myself. I’m going to get familiar with procedures for reporting concerns. I’m going to call school board members when I see inappropriate behavior – I’m going to take a stand when I know a parent is neglecting a child. If that makes me the nosy, mind-your-own-business neighbor, so be it. I never again want to read a story in the news like the one about MB and shake my head ruefully thinking that I knew the day would come. And as to the original question, children are children and it is our obligation as adults to protect them. Are the laws against predators too lenient? Absolutely

To Friend of the Victim. God bless you for sticking with her. I'm behind her all the way. My heart bleeds for her and her family.

NO!

My two kids will not return.

NO!!!!!!

NO! I would have to be a fool to put them back in that environment! I want them to go to school, not a corrupt run business! I am running just like Lot did, far away from this mess.

To friend of the victim: Please let her know that there are many (former) parents from HCS who are praying for her and want justice to be served. Members of the board decided they wanted to run the school on their own power and were not looking to the Lord for direction...if their ears were open they would have listened to the people who had concerns from the beginning, but they did not want to hear. The school failed her but God never will! Don't give up on Him...he cares for you so much and will never let you down!

Don't run now, make the board run.

Keep your school and make it better then ever!

It seems to me like it is pretty foolish for parents to be saying "No! I will never let my kid go to Highland again..." The school is going through hard times, and instead of running from it you should be running to it. I do understand the concerns, the problems, and the justified anger. But hard times are what make us as people stronger and closer to God. If when you are faced with a difficult situation you run from it, what are you learning? How are you becoming a better person by giving up? What are you teaching your kids? They are going through pain and grief, and a lot of confusion, so you are going to be a Christian example to them by abandoning the school?? I know and have been around a lot of kids that go to Highland, and they are acting more mature and standing tall for their school. They wear their Highland Christian clothes with pride and don't think twice about putting them on. The students have been working hard over the last few years to make Highland a better school. They have a massive turnout for new sports, and look what they accomplished. Almost every single guy in the high school was on the football team, which is absolutely astonishing and touches my heart. What other school promotes such unity within the students? They are like a family to each other and deserve to keep working hard through troubled times together. Let THEM keep making the school a better place.

This school is a Christian school and it does help young people become stronger in their faith and knowledge of God. You may say that it's standards have dropped, but I think that the school is amazing. I went to a public school and I only wish that I could pray at school, have chapel, and study God's word in Bible classes. Have you even thought about how abandoning the school will affect your child's walk with God? Yes it has it's problems just like public schools. We as Christians aren't any better, more superior, or more perfect than any one else. We are all the same stupid humans with the same stupid sins. But atleast at Highland the school is God-centered and full of loving, extremely hard-working faculty and staff who will keep working their butts off for your children. There have been a lot of mistakes. They trusted Mark, a lot of the students trusted Mark, and so did a lot of other people. But somebody has to step up and lead in a Godly way.

I was a good friend of B and not one day goes by that I don't think about him or wish he was here. I don't want to keep silent anymore so I'm joining in. I too had seriouse questions and concerns surrounding his death. I thought I was alone until now. I know about the details both sides speak of (those questioning MB and those deffending him). Regardless I pray B's death will be re-opened to put all of our minds at ease I do know that B's wife loved him dearly and suffered greatly from his death. I'm sure she suffers even more reading this blog and revisiting his death and that horrible night. I pray this new child she holds will give her strength and hope for better days to come.

Highland Pride ... You know what comes after PRIDE? I bet u do now.

If it was "CHRIST CENTERED" That Spirit that was ALLOWED in to HCS would not of been ALLOWED don't u guys get it.It was not "CHRIST CENTERED" it was "SPORTS CENTERED", "NUMBERS CENTERED", "PRIDE CENTERED", it's all good & cool in the minds & eyes of young people. Ya hahaha it's sooooooo funny that HCS Coaches made fun of other schools at games , hahahaha lets rub it in their face look how big & bad we are now. I sat in some games totally embarrassed seeing how our "CHRISt CENTERED" students acted & MB just looking all puffed up allowing the students to be rude, blasting innappropriate music etc etc.The students were being encouraged to behave like that. Little remarks like "oh oh what you guys don't have a wrestling team" hahaha out loud !!!
Look at the Fruit that followed. Not just by MB either.

Pride goes before destruction HCS u still laughing & feeling so proud on this empire sports team that you have created. Was the price worth it?

Way to put it 'Highland Pride', I believe that is what we ALL need to know and remember! -Amen

Sure. I'd be willing to take a call from or meet with any other Highland parent if that would help the kids. I created a temporary mail address of 808 at hagglund dot net. It will work for a few weeks. My normal mail address was in the school directory if you have an old copy of it.

Regarding this comment: "Robert I guess that answers my questions about you wanting to know the truth." Well, not exactly. :)

I was helping a family friend move so I have been away working. My post immediately before this one has an email address to get in touch with me. If it gets deleted or doesn't work just post something here and I will eventually find it. Thanks.

why should anyone believe any of this nonsense posted by people using fake names??? messages from people hiding in the darkness... makes me think they have something to hide. robert don't waste your time with them. you are ok and have your heart in the right place but are wasting your time. do something better like run for school board.

Steven B,
I disagree that Robert is wasting his time with these people. I do agree that his heart is in the right place. It's important to hear all that we can at this point even if some of it appears extreme. Many families have had to endure injustice. It is only fair to allow them to vent and attempt to understand their anger. If they can be heard, even anonymously, maybe we can get a clearer picture of the damage done. If we don't understand the damage done how can we attempt to heal?

Alright can't hold it in anymore said;
"I sat in some games totally embarrassed seeing how our "CHRISt CENTERED" students acted & MB just looking all puffed up allowing the students to be rude, blasting innappropriate music etc etc.The students were being encouraged to behave like that. Little remarks like "oh oh what you guys don't have a wrestling team" hahaha out loud !!!"

If this was indeed MB's demeanor it would appear that he was teaching, by example, arrogance bordering on bullying, not compassion and most definitely not sportsmanship. Rough and tumble, get 'em all fired up talk aimed at getting your team ready for an event is one thing. To ridicule anyone when they're down, or not feeling quite as good about themselves or their team or their abilities as you seem to be feeling about yours is being a bully and not setting a good example for the children. No one likes to be made fun of, most of us have had experiences with bullies and having been picked on as kids, or our own kids have. How is it that this demeaning attitude was allowed at any of the sporting events, did anyone challenge Mark Brown, or take these concerns to the Board? Probably wouldn't have done any good from what I read in this blog, and this seems like just another example of what sounds like years of Mark's bravado, and overly inflated ego.

I came across this hymn while in prayer and devotions last night.
Before Thy throne, O God, we kneel;
Give us a conscience quick to feel,
A ready mind to understand
The meaning of Thy chastening hand;
Whate'er the pain and shame may be,
Bring us, O Father, nearer Thee.
Search out our hearts and make us true;
Wishful to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
From sins which make the heart grow cold,
Wean us and train us with Thy rod;
Teach us to know our faults, O God.
For sins of heedless word and deed,
For pride, ambitious to succeed,
For crafty trade and subtle snare
To catch the simple unaware,
For lives bereft of purpose high,
Forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.
Let the fierce fires which burn and try
Our inmost spirits purify:
Consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God, be with us in the flame;
A newborn people may we rise,
More pure, more true, more nobly wise.
By William Boyd Carpenter (1841-1918)
Let us all join together in prayer that God may forgive us of our sins, that God may comfort the victim, and MB's family, that God may comfort everyone that has been hurt through this, that the whole truth come out and nothing remains hidden in darkness, that God may help Highland Christian as we go about changing things, hiring a new administrator and staff, and that through this trial we to might emerge more pure, more true, more nobly wise.

Yes i am going to send my children back because of all what has happened they want to go back and grow strong with this school. I have 3 older girls and they very much understand what is going on here but they are as well as myself looking into the future and having faith that everything will be ok. My children were in public school and they do not want to go back, I have seen both of them exceed goals both academically and atheletly while they were at Highland that they didn't know they could do. So here is my thought Mark is no longer with the school and for some reason this board is still intact which i do not understand how did the board become the board and nobody now can do anything to make the resign? That doesn't make sense. So what does running away from the school accomplish? What about the wonderful teachers they do have that are truly there for you children and want them to succeed in life? WE as parents need to stay strong and fight for this school and what it stands for and start holding the board accountable it is going to be up to us. And to answer the question about what this blog was about is YES its to lax there should have been a way to have Marks past in some type of report either on a police report or CPS report. If that would have happened we wouldn't be here writing.

only if a new board is in effect will I come back.Shame on all of them they knew about a lot of things and did nothing.

I am taking my kids out and putting them in public school. After this year of being disillisioned (sp) in CHS, i think they will handle public school just fine. Besides that, the education is free so i will not waste my money on a " so-called Christian" education that was NOT taught. I can save that money for their college ed. I believe there are many kids in the public school that need Jesus. May my children be the ones that preach the gospel to them. They need it now more than ever before. As far as not using real names here, I DO NOT want my kids BULLIED by the parents and their BULLY kids when i take them out of this school. They have been cornered enough by neighbors asking questions about HCS and Mark Brown. We have made our decision, give us peace. I know of one family that left HCS last year and they were lied about and ridiculed by other children in the school. It was heartbreaking. YES! PARENTS! Your little Johnnys are riduculing and belittling in the name of Jesus!Could they hear it from you? So stop hiding your heads in the sand and get out of this HCS Country Club mentality. Robert~ I will pray the veil be lifted from your eyes so that you may see truth in this school. PS. I know of one parent that was totally disgusted with the actions of the sports programs. She voiced her opinion over and over. It was IGNORED. She was labeled a trouble maker.

Who is paying for the boards lawyer? I hope its not wilh parents hard earned money!!

Regarding people being secretive with their identity. We all have certain reasons for this. Many are due to the criminal investigation going on. WE CANNOT hinder the continuing investigations. Bretts death, past issues with MB and the current victim. We also have to protect the identity of the VICTIM!!!! Obviously that is top priority.

No one has answered my question. Are we going to let Joey Brown continue as our athletic director? I don't have a problem with if he is cleared. But these same type of allegations came up with MB, and look what happened. It can't continue to be overlooked. Does anyone know how we get the school board members to resign? There are consequences for their actions, just as there are with Brown. The former superintendant was quoted in the newspaper as stating that "NO ONE FROM HIGHLAND EVER CONTACTED THEM ABOUT MB". After he was fired from Concrete, he applied at Darrington, but they didn't hire him, because, they CHECKED REFERENCES. An apology doesn't cut it! NO prays cut it. They need to be fired and JB needs to be investigated before he is allowed around children.

Blasting the sports programs and blaming things on the existence of them is hog-wash. Sports can bring out the best in young people and I have seen it myself in your young men at hcs as a partime assistant for Joey with the football team. Having played and coached football at different levels I was amazed at the growth this team had both as players and teammates that cared about each other unlike any team I had been associated with before. Sure, sports can also bring out ugly situations when athletes lose sight of sportsmanship but I do not see this with your teams At HCS. I saw them express themselves after wins ..and loses. If you folk's want "stepford" children that don't express themselves after a win or loss then by all means take them out of sports. I assure you all that young people depend on sports to use as an outlet and in many cases a way to build confidence. It is a proven fact that students involved in sports are far less likely to get invovled with "other" activities that I think we all can agree are less productives ways to spend thier time(ie. drugs, alcohol etc.) Do I believe that sports are a priority before God and school?, absolutly NOT, but please don't blame it on the problems at you school.

That's fine if you think you need to do that. Using aliases substantially weakens your case and leaves those you accuse with no one to respond to directly.

People call me and people who are willing to work with our school board blind but cannot or will not even say who they are or offer to step up their involvement to make the changes they want happen. Others anonymously gossip and throw out accusations. Frankly I would rather not have you involved with the school unless you are willing to repent your self-centered ways. To those who write in places like this for self-help out of frustration, that's great and I am glad you are getting what you need, but don't break every standard Christians are instructed to follow in the process. Sorry if that's harse. It's just the way I see it.

We all get our chance to see how well the school board is doing on the 11th. I hope some of you who have things to say about or to me take the time to find me there. May God be with you.

ROBERT-Will you demand the board look at allegations against JB, the ones the parents have brought to there attention and the board has ignored, or will you accept they are false, as everyone did with MB? SIMPLE QUESTION.

I am sure my husband (Robert) and I will be at the next board meeting next week as we will also be in court this week to see for ourselves the proceedings. We are involved parents with all three of our children and I may even qualify as a ‘little over protective’ at times…. I do trust my husband to be rational and fair, even when I get angry that he is not as emotional/passionate about ‘whatever wrong’ may have me stirred at the time. I am sure that he will respond when he is back latter this evening as he is concerned for ALL (from the accuser, her family and friends, to the Brown family, the school, students and even the lookers that have no real connection or vested interest in this other than the ‘gossipy, cat-fights’ that seem to shed an even worse light on ALL of us that claim to be Christians, God will sort us all out in the end, even if we’ve ‘preformed miracles’’ in HIS name, we’ve simply ‘preformed and our LORD will judge our motives AND our hearts! May HIS Spirit be with ALL of us through this

Robert,
Thanks for "judging" everyone else by saying, "Frankly I would rather not have you involved with the school unless you are willing to repent your self-centered ways."
Does that make you the perfect judge, because others have a different opinion? That's what this is all about, voicing opinions. You comments and everyone else's are just that, opinions. Glad to know yours is the only correct one. Let's all just step back and let Robert solve the entire problem. Sounds like that's what the board did MB and look where that got everyone.
So is MB back in town for hearings?
Darrington does background checks. All public schools do. Private schools should also. Even churches are doing them on people involved with children. It's a sad reality of tody. But Darrington already knew about MB's involvement with teenage girls in Concrete, they didn't have do the wait for the background check to NO to him.

OK I don't know how long your family Robert has been at this school but we have been their for 9 years & I am one of "Those Parents" who have been bringinf up issues & warnings to the school since December & if you think for a secound that we would want to rip our children out of this school after 9 years for no reason at all but for "minor" back biting complaints let me assure you that is not our case. The last thing we would want to do is to take our children fom a place that was like their secound home. The only reason we would take our children from HCS was if we knew we were at total peace & released from our Lord & Savior to leave but not without a fight. We have been fighting for this school almost the whole school year.We would of pulled our kids out back in December if we went by our "feelings". But we didn't have that peace in our heart from God instead he allowed me to stay & see even more what was going on that didn't just effect my child but the whole school. Certain Staff members know this is true cause they are the ones that I went to with these concerns & sometimes "warnings" I understand that right now they cannot & will not answer specific questions cause if they do & they are at fault for allowing this Man to be in total control ( which I know they didn't do that on purpose they are not evil I know that) & ya whoever is suing the school would win & there will be no school. The sad thing is it would have gone this far if all there was to blame is MB he was only allowed to do what the school (staff, board) enabled him to do. I can't tell you how many times I spoke with someone & they would say " I know you are not the first parent who has brought this to me but MB...." I would feel like excuse me MB he is only one person why are so many intiminated by him. I truly did not understand it. I still don't ?? I thought I was the only parent that could never get in to meet with him until I heard another parent at the Thursday Mtg say the same thing. I understand now that he "KNEW" for somehow which parents to stay away from cause his manipulation would not of worked.
If I were you do not bother going out of your way calling parents remember
"Never give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them with their feet and then turn around and attack you."
There are plenty of families in the beginning of this blog who shared "their" experience & concern Robert or anyother concerned parent can call those families. You see Robert Fortunately you have not experienced what some of us have I truly greatful for that for you & your family. The worse part is being trampled on & attacked not even for me & my spouse we are adults we can handle that but what our "Child" has had to endure & another disturbing part of all this Is on more than one occassion we would discuss issues in the office privately & by the next week my childs classmates would harrass our child so I have to ask how did it leave the office.Of course the harrassing from other students were inaccurate basically twisted to make our child look bad. I do not believe in my heart that the office staff would repeat to other students I do believe that they did communicate with MB (since he wouldn't see us) & he would more than likely share it with them in a twisted way.
Yes I am anonymous to "PROTECT our prescious CHILD"

Aimee Hagglund you need to be careful accussing people to be "Gossiping" if you do not know that to be a fact. Have you personally talked to any of these as u say "gossiping" families better yet speak to all of them. Before throwing out accusations. I am speaking on persoanl experience. Shame on you to label these families. I pray that your eyes will open & I also pray that you & your children will not have to experience it to understand.

I beg to differ, Ms. Hagglund, concerning your judgemental comment, "the lookers that have no real connection or vested interest in this "
This situation certainly DOES affect everyone, not just HCS. What happens when MB moves on to another school or community & none of this is disclosed? This is a free country & we all have the right to be heard without people like you deciding who has the right to & who doesn't.

Aimee Hagglund said;
"even the lookers that have no real connection or vested interest in this other than the ‘gossipy, cat-fights'" This Blog did start because of a young girl at your school and her alleged abuses by Mark Brown. Through this forum several people from many different walks of life were able to come forward after what turns out to be years of pain and knowledge of inappropriate activities by Mr. Brown. Many people have had negative experiences with him over the years in many different situations. There is a grieving family and several concerned friends who have brought up legitimate questions surrounding an untimely and tragic death of a 29 year old young man. Surely you don't mean to infer that people who have expressed their concerns and sorrows, other than those that directly involve the school are gossipy, or having 'cat fights'? This is the first time many people have felt that they had a safe place to voice long held fears and feelings, sometimes situations just get bigger than first thought, that doesn't mean that other hurting and concerned people are being gossipy. We all need to be sensitive to everyone's pain in what appears to be an evolving story.

I certainly do apologize to anyone who feels hurt by my expressed opinions and for the length of this post, as I have debilitating MS, causing me to type more slowly and use my spell-check often. I would encourage people to talk with the proper authorities about their concerns and do not want to see this tried in the media or public ‘opinion’.

August 3rd. @ 12:47pm
wouldntyouliketoknow said:
“Robert,” …..”Does that make you the perfect judge, because others have a different opinion?” ….”Glad to know yours is the only correct one. Let's all just step back and let Robert solve the entire problem.”

My husband, Robert, is a loving, honorable, fair, man of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Robert lives his life with God’s teachings in his mind & heart, like ALL of us, he does fall short and would be the first to admit that he can not walk on water and does not have all of the answers (as many of you ‘anonymously posting people ’seem to think you do, in my personal opinion and you may have some validity to your hardships in the past. I am not saying to forget, I am saying we as a school need to move on and let the courts do their job. None of us are Mark’s judge or the jury in this current case. I hope we can all look back to see where we should/could/have done better and do better in our future, learning from the past but not getting stuck in it. We do have a new school year just weeks away.).

Robert does keep this in mind and the examples of Christ’s love for us and how we are told to ‘love’ our neighbors and to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Robert is a thoughtful responder to people (whether in writing or in person) and is a man of his words, so please don’t assume anything more than what he has written. I have also reminded him to not throw his pearls to the swine, thank you for your concern. I am understanding your concern for your precious gift from God & staying ‘anonymous’. I do have my own gifts (3 childern) and want to protect them from all of this ‘ugliness’ and any repercussions that may come about because we (as their parents) decided to not hide who we were, when posting here, however I need to keep in mind ALL that God has done for my life, including our latest gift that is only 17 months old., she is a true miracle! I also know fear is not of God, so I’ll do my best to keep protecting my boys right now and our daughter as I need to, certainly my prayers are being heard and answered Even when it’s not what I want, right now, I know God has an excellent plan and I am merely a part of it. My job is to learn, realizing to that I am not in control, HE is and was and will be in control! PRAISE GOD! Looking back is always clearer than at the time, even what seemed like ‘the end of my world’, I can see with closer to 20/20 vision, it was something my God still used for my benefit, not to harm me.

And to answer what ‘anonymous’ asked,….our boys before Master’s Touch went to Snohomish County Christian who also had a change as we were moving up here, (to be closer to our church family) to North Sound Christian Schools, a GREAT school who had fabulous, loving, Christ filled teachers (although we disliked one particular teacher early on as she was new to teaching (she didn’t stay but a couple of years) and we were new to our school aged sons schooling (he was in first grade)) We did our best and he survived it, to than have several more fantastic teachers the following years until we moved to Marysville. Robert spoke to Mark at his first year Open House , I spoke with who would be our younger son’s 1st.grade teacher (Mrs. Baxter) and knew this was the place for our boys… we have been happy with the name change, as the boys have also. The communication was sometimes lacking and I am sure will improve now. I know I can always do better, it’s a matter of learning what went wrong.

And to “Knew the friend”….unless you know the whole truth and have proof of the victims’ allegations regarding what did happen, I’ll wait for the court system to sort it all out.
The part of your statement “This is the first time many people have felt that they had a safe place to voice long held fears and feelings,”

I do feel bad that you haven’t felt safe to do this before now and this is your way of getting in touch with these past friends, I simply want to stay on task to the discussion and how we can learn from it.
“sometimes situations just get bigger than first thought, that doesn't mean that other hurting and concerned people are being gossipy. We all need to be sensitive to everyone's pain in what appears to be an evolving story.”

I agree this is still evolving, people are hurt and in pain. You should take your concerns, “knowledge of inappropriate activities “ to the correct authorities and have them look into their validity other than getting public opinion, now is your chance to correct or do better by passing on your concerns, as you said you did in the past.

I certainly do apologize to anyone who feels hurt by my expressed opinions and for the length of this post, as I have debilitating MS, causing me to type more slowly and use my spell-check often. I would encourage people to talk with the proper authorities about their concerns and do not want to see this tried in the media or public ‘opinion’.

What i dont understand is why everyone keeps saying that they are praying for the parents and the students at the school, but if i remember correctly its my friend and all the girls that MB manipulated and took advantage of that are hurting right now.

We are all hurting for a variety of reasons, I've cried a lot and I am still hurting for all of us involved to the point it changes our lives and the way we think.
There are a lot of people praying for Gods wisdom and peace.

To Aimee. You missed the part that caused me to ask if Robert was the perfect judge. He stated "Frankly I would rather not have you involved with the school unless you are willing to repent your self-centered ways".That statement could have been nothing but judgmental. Saying other needed to "repent" of their "self-centered" ways. We are all self-centered to a degree. If you were sucked in my MB when you first went to the school, then I feel sorry that you were manipulated by him as well. He's very charismatic, a wolf in sheeps clothing and a Jim Jones in his knowledge of the Bible. His father uses the Bible solely to benefit him also. One can only pity them.
And YES, prayer needs to be said daily for this young victim and all those he has dupped.

Highland PRIDE, Athlete and Robert, if your comments indicate where the school stands then it is just further confirmation that we must walk away. You are so focused on the PRIDE of the school.....PRIDE is what got us into this mess in the first place. Some of what the board said at the meeting was good but it was what we didn't hear that really concerned me. How can we be confident that their hearts are repentent and that they are going to do things differently when they can't humble themselves before the parents and admit the specific ways they had taken control? They said "we are going to look to the Lord for direction" but they have been claiming to do that all along. If they had truly been seeking God's direction they would have spent much more time praying about decisions before acting on their own instincts. There are a few former board members who can attest to the attitudes that were going on there. Unless we hear them admit that they were not seeking Him, they are just attempting to move on without dealing with the root of the problem. I think you need to look up the definition of gossip before you begin to judge our hearts. You say you would rather not have us involved in the school unless we are "willing to repent your self-centered ways"....and you are the one to judge our motives? It sounds like you are the one full of accusations. Only the Lord can judge the heart. "Unity" does not involve getting rid of everyone who opposes your opinion but I guess we've heard this same comment from Mr. Favors. Another sign of pride. I am also curious Robert why you feel it necessary for all of us to come to "you" to discuss these matters? This has nothing to do with you. As someone stated before, there have been times that die-hard "Highland Pride" students and parents who believe their school and kids can do no wrong have harassed kids whose parents had concerns and for that reason some may choose to remain anonymous. You also accused us of "breaking every standard Christians are called to"...another very serious accusation that you have not been placed upon this earth to judge. One more thought.....we keep hearing of how HCS is full of kids with Godly character and how we should just spend some time listening to some of these kids and we will see. Do you not realize that many of the same kids who get up and quote verses and claim to be walking with the Lord are the same ones who have foul mouths, are partying on the weekends, doing drugs, drinking and having lots of sex? Wake up parents...this school is full of immorality and some of you that stood up at that meeting in support of the school are parents of the worst offenders! It is better to be hot or cold than lukewarm and actions speak much louder than words! For those who are now committed to the Lord it would have been nice to hear you get up there and give a testimony of where you were and where you are now going instead of implying that the student body as a whole has always been so "godly" and spiritually minded. We will continue to pray for Highland that God's will be done!

MB was a master manipulator. The family would tell us of things going on with them and now it all makes sense. When the staff notices girls going into MBs office, counseling girls alone, did they not think this was inappropriate???? even if the girls are troubled it is not APPROPRIATE For a principal. Maybe MB was the reason for the TROUBLE!! A girls goes from a straight A, perfect student to a very troubled girl in 4 months time!!!

The victim told me before she ran away that MB had taken her to the secret room alone after school one day. She told me that he had touched her on the leg inaproppriately and she said that it was kind of strange but didnt think anything of it. Now she realizes that he is a pedophile and is crushed. She thought that she could trust him but obviuosly nobody can.

To praying but moving on, I’d like to refer you back to Robert’s post and what he wrote at 11:39 this morning ‘People call me and people who are willing to work with our school board blind’. He does NOT feel that he needs to called, he was simply putting that people in this forum have ‘said’ he and others working for and with the school are called ‘blind’ and was asked if he’d be willing to listen to what another had to say, he responded with his email. Robert checked before he left today, to see that NO one responded, I would guess, because they would have to come forward and say who they are in the email so it would be fair to know who he was meeting with and if I needed to go, that is one of several things we considered before ever posting on here, that everyone would know who we were and we may not know who we are ‘speaking’ with, that is okay, God knows

Dear Friend of the Victim, hearsay is not allowed in our court system and I will be there to listen, as I’m sure a lot of other concerned parents will be there too. I will leave the strong, life changing, labeling of ‘pedophile‘ to our courts as it surely has touched/changed all of our lives

Aimee, well it is obviouse that he is a pedophile because of the girls that have come forward. Ya the truth will be known. If the school staff and board would have been aware of MBs actions my friend wouldnt be where she is today.

The family has said, they knew from the beginning the only people that would listen is the proper authorities. Thank God for the proper authorities!!!! They have the evidence and the facts. It will be dealt with in a court of law. My understanding in this matter is that the board would not even listen to the proper authorities, they hit a brick wall. NO COOPERATION whatsoever till after one of them read the text messages!!! THANK GOD the proper authorities listened and took action!!! Would MB still be principal if they hadnt??

So Aimee, do you believe MB is innocent and not a pedophile. Anyone who goes ofter a child is a pedophile! Your quote "leave the strong, life changing, labeling of ‘pedophile‘". Good grief! It certainly has been for all the girls he's been around. They are the ones who's life has been changed. The rest of us are speculating as to what might happen if we don't act. And I'm 100% for prevention.
To Praying But Moving On--you hit the nail on the head with "the same ones who have foul mouths, are partying on the weekends, doing drugs, drinking and having lots of sex?" As a kid in public school we were not allowed to use foul language in a game, or mistreat the other teams. We were taught sportsmanship. We absolutely hated to play the Christian schools. They were the most foul mouthed and mean kids in the league. There is a different pride with Christian school sports. They always threw God into the mix and whew, it was like the Christian schools were the Romans and public school kids were the people being thrown into the lions dens.

Aimee-You should be ashamed of your Christian self implying that some of us are labeling MB a pedophile. It is no label, he is a PEDOPHILE, IT IS A FACT. He started have sex with a 14 year old, when he was 26. What is that? I don't need to wait for the outcome of his trial. I know what some of the texts said. "I can't wait to be alone with you" "I can't stop thinking about you" That is from the pedophile principal. Enough said.

Robert-You still haven't answered my question. Will you support the complete investigation of Joey Brown? Or will you give him the benefit of the doubt without him being cleared, because he is a good football coach. The same type of accusations some parents have posted about Joey, are similar to the concerns they had about MB. Will you demand they be acted upon by our school board, and demand they suffer consequences for their lack of action on behalf of the students they supposedly represent? Or will you sit idly by and say how you have never seen it? I am not saying try and convict him on this board, I am saying DO THE INVESTIGATION AND HOLD THE SCHOOL BOARD ACCOUNTABLE. ONCE THIS IS DONE, WE THEN CAN "move on", as you and your wife would like.

x

Praying but moving on-I couldn't of said it better myself. Unfortunately, so many parents are still drinking the Koolaid. They want to hide behind their prayers. They think by praying and acknowledging that "mistakes were made", that they and we, should just move on. However, we can't move on until the mistakes that were made have severe conseequences. As I see it, the board is only protecting their own hide, and their business, our school. That is why they dont answer or won't investigate the others. They are only trying to protect them self from the HUGE lawsuit, that is headed towards them. They don't want to say something, that will be used in court later. Well, I have news for them and all the parents still drinking the Koolaid, Its coming and the victim is going to get millions!! I hope she gets every penny, and then some. She deserves it, for what the school has done to her. The board is just as guilty as MB. Now they should be praying for their own souls, for what they have done to this girl.

Cant we ask for the School Boards resignation? How about a vote to either keep them (independantly) or fire them? Or, how about standing up at the next meeting and give a MOTION for their resignation. I say we purge the school from the Board on down to students. Each and everyone of the staff needs to have a background check and fingerprinted. Each child and parent needs to be interviewed. Get rid of this ridiculous Country Club mentality! PS- I want to know why those students were given keys to the rooms at the school! Many students and staff saw these kids flashing them

"Parent" MB began going after little girls long before he was 26. He was going after a young girl who was about 13 or 14 while he was in High School. Sad to say, that's not so unusual anywhere these days. It's so sad that little girls look up to the older boys so much. Sex is often involved and that makes it a criminal and moral crime. But most guys grow up, leave school and don't go after little girls any longer. But in MBs case, he continued to seek out the little jr high girls,making him a pedophile.

When is the hearing that you mentioned was this week? And where?
Thanks

That's why I DO NOT believe that R broke into the school. He had keys to the school. Staff knew it, kids knew it etc. that's a big big legal mistake.

It looks like lots of people have had things to say since I look here last. Here are some of my comments and responses. If I didn't answer something you asked or some accusation, feel free to email me so I don't miss it. Ok, here we go:
...
Still haven't seen an email yet. That's ok. I am patient. If you want to talk, that's the best way to get in touch with me--we can swap phone numbers and have a chat. I'd like that.
***
No, I will not make any demands regarding Joey Brown because I have nothing to accuse him of. I have never witnessed him doing anything inappropriate myself. If you have a case, bring it to the board meeting. Even if they don't have testimony like last time, bring some documentation and make sure they all get copies. Seriously, if you have it bring it on for the good of all of us.
***
Sorry, being told that I am not acting as a Christian by people hiding their identities doesn't impress me. Maybe I will see you at the next school board meeting on the 11th. I see no need to defend my words from people with no names.
***
I am no apologist for our former principal. If you go to channel 4 and play the video reporting the story when it first broke and freeze it when they show the transcript of the text messages on the overhead projector at the courthouse, you will see some rather alarming comments to/from 360-631-xxxx. You don't need inside information nor a copy of the court documents to see that. That wasn't the Mark Brown I came to know and respect as our school's principal. If he has an explanation for this, something I'd like to hear in his own words, it will come out at his trial. I'll wait for 12 jurors to decide his fate and trust in them and our Lord on that matter, and will continue to pray for him and his whole family.
***
As for people thinking I am judging them, I am sorry you take such offense at me telling you that I don't respect you for throwing out felony accusations from behind a wall of anonymity and gossiping about the Brown family and then telling me that you need your identity protected. In my Bible gossip is forbidden. It's perfectly reasonable to stand up for what is written there no matter who the gossip is about.
***
Responding to this quote: "PS- I want to know why those students were given keys to the rooms at the school! Many students and staff saw these kids flashing them" --- I'd like an answer to that too. I think those days are gone at this point. I was trusted with quite a lot as a student at Everett High School 1980-84 and even was called in a couple of times to help fix problems with the computer system that handled the grades for students, including me. I never had any keys, ever, and always had supervision providing technical assistance. Most of the time the person supervising me didn't have a clue what I was doing, but there was at least an adult there making the effort. Even when I worked for the school, still as a student, I never was offered a key and I knew not to ever ask for one. It was not allowed for many, many reasons. Giving keys to students is a bad plan because it puts a huge burden upon them not to mention the other obvious problems students with keys creates. If I assumed the role of Highland dictator I would keep a couple extra keys in the office and sign them out as needed--and that's it.
***
Hey, "parent", regarding "R" and keys, I'd really like to hear from you on this. Shoot me an email so I can talk with you. This is a serious matter as you say. Really. I mean it. I'd like to talk with you about this.
***
Rather than offering to step back and let me solve all the problems I say you step up and make the changes you want happen. Last time I checked we still have a school board that we elected. If they fail to do their jobs I'd be all for getting some new people, but I trust they can handle this terrible time and lead our school out of it. If you disagree I strongly encourage you to muster your political might do what you feel needs to be done.
***
My real worry is not just for our kids and the school--but let's not remember there's a 14 year old girl out there who is hurting too. None of us knows for sure what happened other than her and Mark Brown. We can speculate and make educated guesses but in the end none of that matters much. Whether she made this up or she was raped or anywhere in between, she needs our love and prayers. Our God heals and answers prayers.
***
And, my wife Aimee isn't quite what some of you think of her. She went through her own problems with older men trying to manipulate her as a young teen, high school teen and as a young adult. That doesn't mean she has all the answers. It does mean that she has a clue though and is not the blind fool some of you think.
***
Try to smile and have a great night. --Robert

I say we all IGNORE further comments from the Hagglunds. They obviously don't take the time to really hear what other people are saying and think they have it all figured out. He is too busy accusing us of "hiding behind a wall of anonymity" and refuses to look inside his own heart to see if there may be any truth to what others are saying. You can't convince someone who does not want to know. Just the fact that they are in any way saying that MB is innocent after knowing about the other girls he has victimized should be clue enough for us all to see that they are CRAZY and not worth our time!!!!!

I think some of you got the wrong idea from my "Highland Pride". What I mean by pride is to not be ashamed to be associated with Highland. And trust me, I know a lot of the kids at Highland are messed up...swearing, drinking, doing drugs, having sex. But in today's world that's sadly how most kids behave, whether they are in a public or private school. Being a Christian does not mean that we are above or better than others. We should have higher standards and morals but in the end we are all on the same level. So why leave your kid in Highland? If I could just give one answer it would be because atleast they are getting taught bible lessons on a daily basis. Trust me, there are no talks of anything Christian in a public school. If the kids in this private school are making just as many mistakes as the kids that are in public schools, atleast they HAVE to be surrounded by bible lessons and maybe some of them will soak in. At Highland they will be surrounded by many teachers that work hard to be strong, positive Christian examples. And they will be surrounded by many young Christian students who do stick to their morals and beliefs.

And by the way, if you think that most of the kids are running around loose and acting inappropriately, then the concern lies with the parenting and the church that the kid goes to, not the school. Maybe instead of blaming the school for your childs loose behavior, you should take accountability for your parenting skills and your examples of walking with God. I know that a lot of the kids there have been ruined by their parents because they were spoiled to death and given every worldly meaningless possesion that they could ever want...fake tans, tons of clothes, lots of make-up and vanity...all worldly possesions which lead to worldly actions. If you think that Highland is polluting them and you are going to give them a better environment in a public school, then you are in for a rude awakening.

I am not saying that HCS students have always been perfect but there has been a significant decline in moral behavior over the past couple years (since MB and the current board have relaxed the standards and no longer require that they come from Christian homes). Just ask any teacher that has been around that long. You say that our kids would be better off at Highland because they are getting Bible lessons but who really is teaching our kids? You expect me to trust in the ability of this current board to choose teachers who are qualified for this very important role? Are they going to go back and check references and really get to know the recent staff that has been hired by MB? And how can I really know that the board itself knows the difference between someone who "claims" to be a Christian and one who actually lives it.....do we really know who they are and what their spiritual background is? It's my job to study God's word with my children at home. No they won't get "talks of anything Christian" at a public school but I would rather let them know that the perspectives they will be getting are coming from the world and take the time to get involved and teach them biblical values myself. I don't need a school to do that!

"I say we all IGNORE further comments from the Hagglunds" -- That's really funny. Shun those who don't blindly follow the gossip and rumor? Did I rain on your little gossip parade and lynch mob and make you all wet? Oh! That's right. You are ignoring me. Since you are ignoring me you probably won't notice me still writing here. That's fine with me. Take the ball and run home. :)

"I am also curious Robert why you feel it necessary for all of us to come to you to discuss these matters?" -- Did I say that? Hardly. I used my real name so people would know who is calling them out for their gossip in public. I think that is pretty clear. If it wasn't, it should be now. One anonymous person wanted to talk directly to me so I created a temporary email address just so that person could contact me and...silence as expected.
///
The recent comments posted here just confirms for me that fact that the gossip about school teachers, board members, etc is all coming straight from the pits of Hell for the sole purpose of destroying yet another Christian institution.

This is getting ridicules! You do not have to prove myself to anybody, I am involved with the case, when I come across evidence that needs to be seen to put MB away. I immediatley take it to the authorities, not to The Hauggland. This is a criminal investigation not a local church meeting.

IT is RIDICULOUS!!!! Luckily the proper authorities are handling it...where would we be if that wasnt the case?? Is the board doing background checks on all the staff at the school?? That is Washington state law for private schools.

Pride got us were at now? What? do you know what pride is? A person may have committed rape here. I don't think he was thinking of how proud he was of a football, wrestling, etc. team. I don't believe the "frenzied" students after a well deserved victory on the field drove him to this terrible act. I don't think it was the hard work put in by athletes to compete on a level playing field that may have drove him. "Pride got us were we're at" what a stupid, stupid thing to say.

My kids just started at HCS last year. Last Aug. when I whent to meet w/MB to see if they would be accepted "R" was there wandering around the school. MB specifically pointed him out and promised me his hair would be "high and tight" when school started--so I know who "R" is and he was most always around MB everytime I stopped into school. Looking back "R" caused a fight at the sock hop--my child was horrified. My family noted that the next week "R" was still in school. He seemed not to get punished as others, atleast that is our observation. It is a known fact to my kids that some kids held keys to the school, or to rooms--atleast that is what they have observed and informed me of. My dtr. also noticed that MB often according to her would stop and talk at lunch by the vending machines to "R", "B", "M", and "K". She tells me out of all the kids at school these are the kids she noticed him most often speaking with. Aleast when in came to girls (although "R" isn't a girl) otherwise she only noticed him talking to the football/wrestling boys. She told me after this all came out on the news that other than saying "HI" the only girls she ever really saw him spend time with was "B", "K", and "M".
Kids observe alot more than they are given credit for. Ask all the kids what they observed and I bet the pieces to MB's puzzle will fit perfectly together.

I hope that everyone demands better background checks. It's easy to call the few references that an applicant lists, but remember those people are often good friends of the applicant or people chosen to show the applicant in his/her best light.
Background checks need to go far beyond the typical reference & criminal checks. When references are contacted, many questions need to be asked & more info gleaned, such as other numbers of people or prior jobs to call. In other words, LOTS of checking with lots of people. It's often in the more indepth investigation that you will find out info on an applicant. You need to get outside a persons little circle of close friends to find out if there is more to them than portrayed.
This is especially true with educators. It is often not disclosed publically as to why they left or were terminated. I hope parents & school board will really check into the teachers & new people coming in. I know of at least one that was not required to meet the guidelines listed on the school homepage for employment. MB has been hiring friends. They may be good people, but they were not required to meet the schools guidelines.

Reference checks conducted on eligible applicants are considered an integral part of the
selection process. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the appointing authority (BOARD) to ensure reference checks have been conducted on all (was MB the only applicant) applicants selected for hire.Checking references promotes a safe and effective workplace, by protecting an employer from negligent hiring exposure, wrongful termination lawsuits, incidents of sexual harassment,financial loss, false claims, theft. To verify that the applicant meets the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
To verify information that the applicant has provided, as well as, objective evidence of his
or her knowledge, skills and work habits; or, to provide a basis to determine the
applicant’s overall relative qualifications for the position that the person is applying for. HE HAD NO QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, TO RUN A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL!!!!
I'd like to know when they did check his references were they with personal references? They had to be BECAUSE HE HAD NO REFERENCES TO CHECK ON FOR THIS POSITION PEOPLE. Please take your head out of the sand.
It's not enough to hear "yes MB refernces were check" Now parents ask who were the references?

A well-conducted reference check should provide valuable insight regarding an applicant's
qualifications and past performance.
By asking specific job related questions and learning to evaluate responses given, it
increases the likelihood of receiving useful data. I'd like to know what questions were asked to the "reference checks that they did"

Cause MB HAD NO PAST EXPERIENCE HE WAS A WRESTLING COACH!!!!!!!!!! & A LANDSCAPER ( A POOR ONE At BEST)

Mr. Brown is back in this state. I, along with a lot of my friends will be watching it all. I don't think manipulating the District Attorney's Office will be as easy as manipulating impressionable young girls.

I received an e-mailed survey from the school and was hoping that it would be about the board... or at least SOMETHING of importance... They wanted our thoughts on the dress code, uniform tops and pants or just tops or possible just a dress code. Wow, really important considering we are still deciding if this place is SAFE for our children. So, even tho they didn't ask, Yes, I think we need to re-vote on all board members. Who was there during all of this hiring and not paying attention to what was really going on at the school. Sure we need a new location but first lets keep our staff and students out of private "sessions" in the class rooms!

Parents are asked to spend time in the class rooms volunteering with the children, so I asked if all of the parents would be cleared first. My job requires lots of background checks and I want to feel that my children will be safe with all people in contact with them. I was assured that a criminal history was ran on everyone, that they would be safe. Seems not so.

I believe all staff, teachers, admin., janitors, and parents that volunteer should be checked out. Really checked out, and NEVER left alone with a child. Our Doctor and Dentist certainly would never be alone in an opertory with a child. They are to smart to put themselves in that position of questionability. Shouldn't our staff be that wise as well?

Does anyone know when and if there is actually a cout date set?

The Omnibus hearing is this Thursday @ 10:15 Snohomish County Superior Court 425-388-3411
3000 Rockefeller in downtown Everett RM 304

The trial is Sept 5, 2008 @ 1:00 PM RM 304

Has anyone heard how the girl and her family are doing? They are in my daily prayers

I agree that background checks are really important. I can't count how many times I have signed releases to let people look into things in my past only to find that those reference were never even called--and that includes my FBI background check for professional work so it's not just our school that's messing these things up in the name of getting things done rapidly. It's really good to see people are not just complaining, but taking some of this stuff to legal authorities that actually can do something about criminal matters. Kudos to you (no matter what you might think of me :) and follow up to make sure something actually happens. If you really have proof of criminal activity rally the troops and make sure your proof turns into action.
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Just a reminder for someone who has done a lot of reference checking...it is basically useless unless you can get around the legal "he worked here x to y with the job title of z" and get someone in authority with former employers to answer the question "is he eligible for rehire" or "are you willing to provide a personal letter of recommendation" for him/her. We had to provide a pastoral reference, again someone in a position of respect and authority willing to talk about his personal connection with my family. This has been beaten to death here for good reason. Hopefully the board will get some mileage out of their consultants on this one, and learn from past mistakes.
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Parent: Thanks for the court date information. That saves a lot of people from calling. I have wall-to-wall things all week but will make the time to be there. Really, thanks a lot.
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listeningtoall: The key issue is really a big part of this whole thing. I'll leave it at that since names can be easily associated with some of those initials floating about.
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wouldntyouliketoknow: Let's continue to pray for healing and restoration and expect good news to come.

I was not going to contribute to this blog but would like to respond to the accusations of gossip. The definition of gossip is "idle talk or rumor, misinformation, especially about the personal or private affairs of others". Many of the people that have been accused of "gossip" are speaking of personal first hand experiences with MB, the school and board. The intent is not to spread rumors or idle talk (this is a very serious matter that does concern all those who have been affected by this situation and even those on the outside looking in). We do need to be very careful not to allow ourselves to fall into gossip but too often Christians are afraid to speak the truth due to a misunderstanding of what gossip really is. God has called us to expose acts of unrighteousness especially when they are being done in His name. Each one of us needs to pray before we open our mouths and make sure that our motives are pure, but we cannot allow fear to hold us back from speaking the truth when the Lord is calling us to do so.

To LISTENING TO ALL: What exactly are you implying about boys at the school and MB. I really would like to know because I have a son at HC. I am not really sure what you mean. Can you please explain? Is it something I need to be worried about?

to wouldnt you like to know, my friend is deffinatly hurting but it is nice to know that someone cares how she is doing.

Friend of the victim ...A lot of people care please make sure she knows that! If there is anything else we can do please let us know.

Thanks

Friend of the victim ...A lot of people care please make sure she knows that! If there is anything else we can do please let us know.

Thanks

As a former FEMALE student i think that everyone needs to hear something from another female students point of view. Well my class was very close to MB during his first year as principle and it was very strange to me how much he wanted to be our friend more then our advisor/principle or whatever he was. I had many meetings with him in his office about various things along with other female students from my class when he had said things that were very innapropriate. Like saying that it wasnt his fault that we got in trouble with the dress code because we had big breasts..yea i could maybe see a female teacher saying that but not him. He also mentioned that he would have no problem with us drinking on our senior trip as long as it didnt get out to anyone. Him and a friend of mine also joked about having a drinking contest. I also found it very strange that all the girls in my class had his personal cell phone number and they would text him and he would text them back. Im not exactly what all was exchanged in there texts but i find it very innapropriate that a male principle would be texting his underage female students about god knows what. I never really complained about any of this because i dont think i understood really what his motives were, i thought he was "cool" i guess because he always made us feel like he understood us and he was there to be our buddy and get us out of trouble with our other teachers (which is something he did alot). And if you werent "buddies" with MB the punishments were more harsh, and i have seen this with a student who was in my class who was suspended for something she did and then when someone else (who he favored) did the same exact thing there was no punishment even though he said the situation had been "handled" YEA RIGHT. This student was also a daughter of one of the board members kristin sande (hmm weird). And im pretty sure the guys in my class who were also his buddies actually went to his house to hang out with him and also drank alcohol with him. So needless to say i was with very little surprise when i had heard what had happened. And as for JB i actually would have been less surprised if i had heard he was the one who did this. I rarely saw or talked to him but he openely talked about wanting to "party" and drink with girls from my class at a basketball game we went too which i thought was disgusting. All i know is that the facts add up and i have seen first hand also what a minipulater MB can really be and it scares me how easily one of my friends could have been that same girl who is in this situation now.

Robert and otherslike him? Are we supposed to ignore comments like this ( a former female student). I guess its okay in your eyes if we don't have proof JB did something. Why would this girl lie now? I don't think any of it is a lie, I demand a full investigation of all teachers/adminstrators, especially JB. If you don't agree, there must be something wrong with you. You better look at the Koolaid your drinking. You are cult like!

Friend of Victim: Please do let your friend know there are many people out here who are thinking and praying for her daily. I pray this will bring some measure of comfort to her heart.
Will someone who is going to the Omnibus hearing, please report back to those of us who are unable to attend because of work schedules>

I personally have a huge problem with the whole accusing people of gossiping. Robert I understand some of your logic behind what your saying if this was the only situation of this kind MB had been involved in, but it is not. There have been too many other circumstances. I feel that if you have something you need to get off your shoulders than vent here. Especially to all students. If you want to keep your name private than do so. I do encourage students and past victoms to come forward legally and fill out the proper documentation and that would be a good time to reveal who you are. Until then as long as you are speaking the truth here telling others and venting is not a crime. Help justice be served. Everyone is here for the same goal and some are forgetting what that is. There have been young girls hurt and they need our help.

My heart goes out to all involved! As a former graduate of masters touch and former coach at the school..I have to say I am so sad that they school changed it's direction so much. I really don't think God was being honored in that place after the name change and all the changes. It seemed like it was awesome with double the students and awesome sports..but I really think the leadership has got caught up in that and really lost sight of what that school was founded on! Jesus christ and it's goal was to honor him above all! I know this situation is heartbreaking to all those involed and I really pray Justice is served! My prayers are with the victim and her family. Praying this school gets back to it's roots!!!

Here is the hardest thing to swallow? Jesus Christ would have us pray for both parties. It's something we don't chose to do on our own.It's hard to pray for someone who one feels in this "earthly" life deserves the worse punishment possible. But regardless of that, MB is a human, being created in the image and likeness of God and his soul is what matters. We need to pray for God's will to be done in this situation.
I am in no way diminishing girls hurt nor that of her family.
But in reality, if we are all Christians trying to walk in His holy will, then we must pray for both.
Earthly consequences follow earthly behaviors. Unfortunately we all "sin and fall short of the Glory of God". But, he has made our paths straight, it is us who make it difficult and crooked most times.

I appreciate the tone of the current blogs. I agree with Truth vs. gossip and the intent of Robert's comments. We do need to guard ourselves against slipping from righteous indignation into a spirit of condemnation. As stated, very well, by Truth vs. gossip, this is personal experience being conveyed here. Also, these people ARE part of the solution (if they are allowed).

I just can't get over the stupidity of this school board. This people is why the 'world' doesn't take Christains serious! It seems there is no accountability here at all. I hope the board has lawyered up...they are going to need to.

I am a parent at the school. Here are a couple of questions that have yet to be addressed that I think we need to bring up at the next meeting. It was stated at the last meeting that the President of the Board stepped down because of a conflict of interest but had agreed to stay on the board. I, for one, want to know from our board what the conflict of interest entails, and I would also like to see him resign from the board. Why did the board not take any action after MB's first arrest back in June for harboring a runaway? My husband and I are waiting until after the meeting on the 11th to determine if our daughter will be returning.

Those questions can not be answered. Their lawyer will not allow them to. They have been gagged.

I also wondered what they meant about DC stepping down due to a conflict of interest. Someone stated they thought it was because MB was a very close friend of his and others have said it was because he didn't have what it takes to represent the board now that they have all the legal issues to deal with. Every one of those board members should be stepping down due to a conflict of interest. They are obviously more concerned with the lawsuit against them than they are in being honest about their actions. Be cautious and pray before you go to that meeting that the Lord will reveal to you what is really going on there. The reason that they did not take action after his first arrest is because they did not believe he did anything wrong!!! They were more concerned with defending their friend than making sure that our kids were safe. Did they share this situation with the parents or try to hide it in hopes we would never know??? What else are they trying to hide? I have heard this board say on more than one occasion "unless parents want to take the time to run for the board they can leave it up to us to make the decisions without their involvement". Pride and arrogance. This should give everyone a clue as to the mindset of these individuals! Do not be fooled. They are clever in speech but lack the spiritual wisdom, honesty and discernment necessary to run a Christian school or any school for that matter.

Praying for change: Excellent point made about
"not investigating after MB's first arrest in JUNE." Why wouldnt the school board do that? Do you suppose they to were in on it, Hiding that child?
We insure our home, cars and "toys," boats, motor homes ETC,. So that we can feel assured if there was an accident, problem what- have- you, that these THINGS will be taken care of, replaced, fixed. What INSURES us parents that our children will be safe? What assures us that our children wont come out damaged, crushed? I need assurance that my child is in a safe place. At least a public school will LISTEN to what you have to say without rolling their eyes! In the public school you have the respect of voicing your opinion. In a public school you can go higher up to find an answer to your problem, and i for one LOATHE the public school system. Yet, I feel assurance that my child, and my needs as a parent will be met. Sad, huh? No more HCS for us.

Ask the board when was the last time MB was given a 5 year NEW Contract? That answer if it came out would for sure close the school. If you really want to know the truth ask that question.

Let me guess.....did they offer him a new contract after they already knew of the first arrest and allegations of misconduct? That wouldn't surprise me a bit. It also won't surprise me to see the school remain open and many support the board no matter WHAT they find out. They just don't care!

To the many that have asked about the victim. Thank you for your prayers. My friend is receiving counseling. Her family and friends are by her side and she is doing as well as can be expected. As far as the school goes, they have not called or made any effort to contact her and see how she is doing. It is surprising to me how the school board has not shown any concern for the victim or her family. What if it had been their daughter??

Anyone else going to make it tomorrow morning? I was able to get the morning off.

I would like to first say I am praying for all the students of HCS. I would also like to thank all of the very kind comments that Bretts friends have written about him. Thank you from me,my parents and all of his family. Brett would often tell me great stories about all of his friends, he loved you all so much. We all miss him so much, he is not forgotten.I do understand your concern. Shawna I am praying for you. No matter what happens you will be ok. Do what you need to do to stay on TOP for you and the baby. You gave me this same advice a few months ago after I went through something really harsh and heart breaking. I have come out on TOP and the kids and I are doing great. Shawna sometimes we all must walk through fire to have are best life. I know you know this walk already, so do I.... To well do I know this walk. I hope the truth comes out and Justice is done. I wish for peace and joy to return to HCS for all.

To Brett's Sister - We have been thinking about you and your family a lot lately. Praying for you to have peace.

Did someone say I am cult like for having the patience to let the legal system do its job? I have more faith in our Lord and His sovereignty over our legal system than many clearly. The actual process that matters continues at the school and in the courtroom even today. We will all be watching to see what happens in both.
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Please, no matter what you think of me and others who differ in their approach to all of this, don't forget to pray for wisdom & guidance for our leaders and for His truth to come from the mouths of both accusers and the accused. Satan's minions must be living it up watching Christian bash Christian. Far better for us to close ranks against the real enemy and accept our differences than to practice fratricide.

why do you waste your time with these stupid people? that makes you stupid too if you keep wasting your time on them. dont any of you have anything better to do? i e-mailed this robert guy and he actually was pretty nice. not so for most of u who just want to dig up dirt and poop it all over the place. i think robert knows this princpal guy is guilty and just want to give him the trial he deserves followed by a bunch of time in some prision somehwere but he wants to sdo the church thingy and give him a chance but its too late now. robert givbe up. your good grace and love for all gods people is wasted on these scum that say dirt but chicken out and hide behind computer. go be nice guy for kids and good people. i will never come back again. hope you dont too. 337 comments mostly hate hate hate. you and other nice people write maybe 20 or 30. tells you what people really like, huh. robert you say you have family and i think you work hard to make everyone love god. spend time with god and with them and forget these worthless people and this principal guy and this school board that no one seems to like. you love them too and think they can do thing right this time? i dont think they will be perfect but they will do good no matter what now that everyone watches them closely. they election by school parents? then school parents need guts to speak up and quit whining and complaining and make sure they do thier work. if they screwed up make them fix it and don't pretend some sort of civil disturbance or screaming for heads to roll is going to fix it. thney jhave kids too? yes. probably all do or might have kids soon. if thney thought this guy was trouble they really woulnd't hire him. i think he's slick and talks good. and this girl. is she to be trusted too? don't know her but little girls probably not do too much evil but more to this story i think than anyne here is willing to say. way much more to story i think. revenges? bad blood? other bad things too i think not so easy to figure out. but poor judge needs to walk narrow path too since he's all up for election this fall so this principal guy's lawyer shoud keep his eyes on him and be ready for politics too. whats with the kool aid thing. who cares. dumb cult comment too. this robert guy same name from video? maybe. maybe he knows more and stand up for himself. no probly not same guy as in video. dont worry. some little birdy tells me that this robert guy writing here is really doctor of computers from some univeristy. some says he should run for school board position. thats funny. some say he's a fake person using other persons name. probably not true. sounds like real guy. knows lots of good people and they say he's sharp and tells the truth. but some of this people probably are fakes too just tryuing to get attentions and dont socialate very well and makes up stuff to get even or get hurt put on brother and other people. if this coach does bad things why did not one slap him in the face. some people say theyh wont let kids go to this school any more. then why do they write so much about fixing the school if they dont want their kids there? stujpid. probably not real stable. most people here need head examined by doctor and get something from drug store to make them think better than i write. people need heads fixed. probably need drugs from doctor. people need to shut up about people unless they are not chicken. robert guy needs to stay in church since he really is like that place. others read bible. i need to learn to write on computer. even i need help to some times.

hey robert said.....Wow that's all I have to say about that last comment.

Yeah....wow! How sad. Those who are perishing, think the bible is foolish. Only a fool believes there is no God. AND you JUDGE them by their fruits. All these make sense to me. Oh! Lets not forget about righteous anger. To Robert, If your daughter came home and told you MB hid her and accused him of rape, would you believe her? Would you be upset or just LOVE everyone so perfectly? Just a question. I dont care if you work for NASA or dig ditches, the Pharisee taught me alot about being HOLY AND SELF RIGHTEOUS.

Whoever went to court this morning please post an update for the ones who couldn't make it due to work? Thank you

The trial has been moved to Nov. 14th due to ongoing investigations. The next omnibus hearing will be Sept 11th.

To "Me", sure I would unless there was evidence to the contrary. I rarely deal in the this type of what-if question since it is so open ended and there is no definitive answer that covers all cases and all bases. If you are asking if I believe the girl my answer is that I didn't speak to her myself--that's why I am willing to let the courts deal with criminal matters. If this landed in my lap in civil court the preponderance of the evidence that's filtered through the commercial media at this point is tilted clearly in favor of the plaintiff and Mark Brown has an uphill battle explaining those text messages just for starters.

And, thanks "Parent" for the update. I was not able to go today. 9/11. Nice. Am I correct to assume the lawyers just showed up and pushed the dates with or without the defendant present? That's how a lot of stuff goes and frustrates everyone. I would tend to think the defense would push this through now and deny the prosecution the time to dig up more dirt, but the dump truck is pretty full already so maybe something else is afoot.

My wife read part of that previous post directed at me to me earlier when I was working on something else. I just read it myself. Like "Parent" I think I will punt on that one too without comment.

MB was there with his dad. The lawyer mentioned that the victims family was contacted on the decision to move the trial to Nov. & they were ok with that.

Hello Parent,

Yes, the crime advocate said this is standard procedure. It is very unusual to have the trial on the first scheduled date. Also, they stated there is so much evidence to process in this case.

outside looking in... I guess that makes sense

Did anyone read the herald today. There is an article about this on the front page

I could not have said it better...found this article online..

This story just goes from bad to worse.

On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 37-year old Mark Evan Brown was arrested and charged with third-degree child rape for allegedly encouraging a 14-year-old female student to run away from home and providing her with a room at Highland Christian School in Arlington, Washington, where he is the principal. Police allege that Brown and the girl have exchanged over 700 text messages and phone calls. News stories offer varying information. Some say school officials “stand behind” Brown and he has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Others say he has been fired.

However, that is just the tip of this particular iceburg. You see, Brown is no stranger to the school room or to allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2004, school officials at Concrete High School in Skagit County contacted Child Protective Services when allegations surfaced about Brown having sexual contact with several female students. Brown was released from his contract as wrestling coach at the high school and was promptly hired by Highland Christian School in 2005. Nothing has been mentioned about whether Highland obtained a background check on Brown prior to hiring him, but they do not required their staff to be certified.

And it gets even richer. Brown’s ex-wife divorced him in 2004 when she discovered inappropriate text messages between Brown and a cheerleader at Concrete High School during that dust-up. It seems she knew to be suspicious. She herself began dating Brown when she was 14 and he was 26, and married him when she was 20 against the wishes of her family. She claims their own relationship began the same way, became sexual when she was far from consentual age, but she nor her family reported it.

The primary issue I would like to point out in this story, however, is the actions of this Christian school. What did this man who has a history of alleged sexual misconduct with teenaged girls do when his actions were exposed at the public high school? He went straight for the Christian private school. Did they do a background check? Unfortunately many still do not - even the ones that say they do. And pedophiles know this!

This is why the church is one of the best and brightest targest of pedophiles — because it is just such an easy one. Looking godly is one of the simplest cons around. And with cute looks, lots of charm, and just the right words, someone who is an alleged sex offender such as Mark Evan Brown has it made.

Ex-principal of Arlington school was hired despite allegations

Highland Christian School's attorney says the board knew Mark Brown had been accused of sexual misconduct at an earlier job.

By Kaitlin Manry and Diana Hefley
Herald Writers

ARLINGTON -- Members of the Highland Christian School board knew Mark Brown had been previously accused of sexual misconduct when they hired him to lead their school three years ago, the school's attorney said Thursday.

Brown is charged with third-degree child rape, involving a Highland student. He is accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl inside the school in Arlington. Detectives say Brown encouraged the girl to run away and set up a hide-a-bed for her at the school.

Investigators have found nearly 700 text messages between the two, court documents said. The girl and her family now have a no-contact order against Brown.

Brown came to Highland about a year after he lost his job in 2004 as the Concrete High School wrestling coach. He was investigated for reports of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student. No charges were ever filed.

The Highland school board checked Brown's references and past employers before hiring him, said Brett Nagle, a Lynnwood attorney who is acting as the board's spokesman. The board knew Brown had faced allegations of misconduct in Concrete but because no charges were brought, the board decided to hire him, Nagle said. Brown seemed qualified and had friends on the board, the attorney said.

"They did an investigation," he said. "They interviewed him and they talked to folks at his old school. They were under the impression that he had the experience."

Nagle said he hasn't seen a copy of Brown's resume and isn't sure what type of background check the board conducted.

Brown appeared Thursday in Snohomish County Superior Court for a brief hearing. Deputy prosecutor Hal Hupp asked the judge to continue the trial until Nov. 14. Brown has pleaded not guilty.

There is a large amount of evidence and detectives are continuing their investigation, Hupp told the judge.

Brown quickly left the courtroom Thursday. His father warned reporters to leave his son alone.

"You just want to destroy him," Joe Brown said.

State social workers contacted Skagit County sheriff's deputies in March 2004 after receiving a complaint Brown was having inappropriate contact with a female student at Concrete High School.

Sheriff's detectives interviewed the Concrete student, who reportedly said she and Brown were just friends and called the allegations "ridiculous," police reports show.

The girl said she and Brown sent each other text messages and Brown occasionally gave her a ride home, according to police reports. The teen told police she and another student watched a movie in Brown's motel room while out of town for the state wrestling championship, the police report said. She also went out to dinner with Brown and another student at the Red Robin restaurant in Burlington, the girl allegedly told police.

Concrete school officials told investigators they had warned Brown at least twice not to drive female students in his private vehicle. They also told detectives Brown was reprimanded after suggesting the girl's volleyball team wear spandex outfits instead of more traditional athletic uniforms, according the sheriff's report.

A Concrete administrator called Brown at home to inform him he was suspended from his coaching job because of the investigation. Brown allegedly asked, "What am I being sued for? Raping someone?" the sheriff's report said.

There was no evidence of a crime, the detective wrote, and she closed the case a short time later.

The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has no record that Brown is a certificated teacher. OSPI officials records show that Brown passed a criminal background check when he was hired as a coach in Concrete, which is a public school.

Private schools have the authority to request a background check but aren't required to do them. Brown's troubles in Concrete wouldn't have shown up because he was never charged with a crime, police said.

After he lost his job in Concrete, Brown expressed an interest in working with the Darrington High School wrestling team. As part of the district's background check, Superintendent Larry Johnson called the Concrete School District. He said a Concrete administrator told him about the sexual misconduct allegations against Brown.

"When you talk to someone and they said they investigated it, it's really tough," Johnson said. "When you turn to the police and they didn't find anything, what do you do with it? It's just a gut basis."

The Darrington team already had enough coaches, including Brown's brother, and Johnson said he opted not to hire the man.

Brown was hired by Highland about three years ago, when the school was called Master's Touch Christian School, records show.

He was fired by the Highland school board July 25, just days after he was charged with rape.

The school board has hired The Goehner Group, a California-based Christian consulting company, to investigate the details surrounding Brown's hiring and to help the school find a new administrator.

At the advice of The Goehner Group, this week the board hired retired elementary school principal Darlene Hartley as the interim principal at Highland. Hartley retired in 1998, after spending seven years as a principal in Highline Public Schools in Burien. She lives on Camano Island and serves on the Stanwood-Camano school board.

Hartley, 64, was recruited for the position, which will be her first in a private school.

"If things are going swimmingly, then you don't have the opportunity to serve as much as you do in situations like this," she said. "I always wonder, 'Am I the person that God will use in this situation?' But I believe that my training and my beliefs and my education and my experience lend themselves to this position. That's my prayer." About 240 students in kindergarten through 12th grade attend Highland Christian School.

Brown's arrest devastated parents who send their kids to Highland for a faith-based education. Hundreds of families last week packed into the school's auditorium for a closed-door meeting about Brown. Another meeting is planned for Monday evening.

Like many parents, when Edwin Anglesey first heard the allegations about Brown he considered pulling his son, an incoming senior, out of the school.

In the months prior to Brown's arrest, Anglesey noticed administrative missteps from the principal and wasn't surprised to see him lose his job.

"I'm not surprised that he fell," Anglesey said. "I am stunned and shocked at what it is that he fell from."

Raylene Nance also had concerns about Brown. When she approached him about behavior problems in her daughter's third-grade class, he dismissed her, saying boys are rambunctious, she said.

In the days after the allegations about the former principal became public, as she struggled to explain to her daughter that "Mr. Brown" was accused of a "naughty thing," Nance considered pulling her child from the school. Faith -- in Highland's mission and the board -- persuaded her to stay.

"I know there are parents that are still angry," she said. "I was angry myself for a day or two -- and that's that. You can't be consumed by anger."

When Anglesey enrolled his son in Highland Christian last year, he assumed the faculty and staff had undergone background checks. He wants those who hired Brown to be held accountable. He said policies need to change to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.

"I don't see how, by any stretch of the imagination, they could consider Mark Brown qualified for the job," Anglesey said. "They hired the guy. He's the center of allegations that he allegedly perpetrated, not Highland Christian School, but the fact is the board, through laxity, bears responsibility."

Anglesey said he is praying for the girl entangled in this case. He is praying for Brown and his family. And he is praying for Highland Christian School.

"Highland Christian School is tremendously important," he said. "It's a beacon to me -- and the light still shines. I want the school to survive and to thrive."

Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.

I agree with what this web site had to say. ThaLunatic Daily Opinion:

Guilty or innocent, I have a problem at this point with the school board, who seems to have taken sides with their comments.

This is a Christian school, where parents pay a high price to insure their kids get an education free from this kind of nonsense. Perhaps board members should remember that it's the same parents - who may have been betrayed greatly here - who pay the board members salaries.

It's not their place to add insult to injury by taking ANY kind of position on the matter other than assuring parents that they are redoubling their efforts to ensure their children are safe. That's their job, not making decisions about guilt or innocence. Not running down to a courthouse to express their own opinions.

For those parents who write out a check to these imprudent board members - I want you to be aware of something. Even a public school board knows well enough to let law enforcement deal with matters like this, so the school can get 100% of it's focus on the kids and nothing else. That's their job. That's what you pay them for. Are you getting your money's worth?

Danny Vice
ThaLunatic Daily

FYI This Board is not paid not. Regardless they did not do their job.

The board needs to be ousted. After admitting in the Everett Herald yesterday that they knew about the previous allegations MB was still hired. That is inexcusable. Nobody in their right minds would open up a school full of children to this man. All references need to checked thoroughly for all teachers, administrators, janitoral staff, office staff and all volunteers. We need to protect our children above all. They are our future.

What's really disturbing is it would never of gone this far had the Board & OFFICE STAFF not only listened to family concerns & complaints but took action. The more that comes out makes me so sick to my stomach.

I hope the school board realizes what they have done is wrong but I doubt it. They are out to protect themselves from lawsuits. Someone should have taken the family seriously, and listened to what they had to say, but the school and the board didnt listen. Did anyone reach out to the family through this ordeal and really listen to what they had to say??? anyone???

Robert....do u understand now why some of us "gossiping" parents were upset with the board.To hear that they knew about MB allegations does not surprise me at all! The way my concerns were handle there would be no ther explanation.What the Board did was not using Godly wisdom they allowed a Godly former principal Mrs. Troll to be fired by MB.They thru out everything to pursue growth.Instead of trusting God. As if God can't multiply & ad to a Christian school.Just think were HCS would be if God was invited in.

Mrs. Wallitner "negative" talk for Gods truth towards a Christian school that was NOT built on HIS fondation is different than negative talk towards Gods "church" his people. It is naive to think you can address conditions that need to be changed without being negative toward those conditions. You will find many examples of negativity toward sin in the Bible. It comes from God, Himself. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just tiptoe through the tulips here and only pay attention to all the good that has been accomplished. Unfortunately, positive growth requires exposing the ugliness of sin for the purpose of eliminating it.

Has anyone looked at the school web site and seen that the board is claiming they knew nothing about Mark's past and the lawyer is contacting the paper?????? I wonder where the paper got that information. Does that indicate they definetly did not do any real checking with former employers.
I would like to know who is paying for the lawyers and the firm that represents schools. I'm hope the school had an something in place already to cover such things.

I am not defending MB, or the Board or anyone involved with the school in this situation. But I have a serious question regarding the checking of references and background checks. Am I correct in thinking that a reference can't give any negative feedback? In my capacity in my job, I call for references on all of our potential employees, and criminal background checks along with drug tests are done on every single applicant from top Managers down to Housekeeping. If I'm not mistaken, you are only permitted to ask if the reference would re hire the person, and to ask questions in general about the duties of the job and the applicant's job performance and how long the applicant worked for the former employee. But, and I could be wrong, as I understand it, the potential employer cannot ask why if they say would not re hire, and they cannot ask about anything that may be negative, and the reference cannot offer such information. I am NOT defending the Board, it sounds like they all need to be replaced immediately, but IF they did check his references, isn't it likely that they were not told of the inappropriate involvement with the cheerleaders? The system is too easy on these people who do indeed have somethng to hide. I know I cannot ask why someone left, or was let go or why they wouldn't hire them back. Only very vague questions about job performance and would they re hire?

I am not defending MB, or the Board or anyone involved with the school in this situation. But I have a serious question regarding the checking of references and background checks. Am I correct in thinking that a reference can't give any negative feedback? In my capacity in my job, I call for references on all of our potential employees, and criminal background checks along with drug tests are done on every single applicant from top Managers down to Housekeeping. If I'm not mistaken, you are only permitted to ask if the reference would re hire the person, and to ask questions in general about the duties of the job and the applicant's job performance and how long the applicant worked for the former employee. But, and I could be wrong, as I understand it, the potential employer cannot ask why if they say would not re hire, and they cannot ask about anything that may be negative, and the reference cannot offer such information. I am NOT defending the Board, it sounds like they all need to be replaced immediately, but IF they did check his references, isn't it likely that they were not told of the inappropriate involvement with the cheerleaders? The system is too easy on these people who do indeed have somethng to hide. I know I cannot ask why someone left, or was let go or why they wouldn't hire them back. Only very vague questions about job performance and would they re hire?

Whoops, sorry for the double post.

What's included in an employee background check? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets the standards for screening for employment. The FCRA defines a background check as a consumer report. Before an employer can get a consumer report for employment purposes, they must notify you in writing and get your written authorization. If the employer is simply conducting inquiries (rather than running reports) they should also ask for your consent. That way you could withdraw your application if there is information you would rather not see disclosed.

If an employer decides not to hire because of this report, they must give you a pre-adverse action disclosure that includes a copy of the report and a copy of your rights. They must then give you notice that they have decided not to hire you and let you know the name and address of Consumer Reporting Agency and information on your right to dispute the report.

At a minimum, a background check will verify your social security number. At most, it can include an analysis of your work history, the people you know, along with a full credit report. It can also include your credit payment records, driving records or criminal history. The inquiries should be related to the job. For example, if you are hired to work in a bank, it would be reasonable to find out if you have a history of embezzlement or theft.

Outsider, thank you for the info. We do get signed permission to check references, check SS#'s, do drug tests, criminal background checks, driving record if applicable to the job, but not Consumer Reports. Thanks for the information. I wonder how much checking, if any, was done by the board, or was it a case of a friend getting him in the door? That's what I'd when he got the position, I knew he didn't have any qualifications.

Am I mistaken...I didn't think he did because my specific questions about who he was & where he came from never got answered.When I had asked in the beginning.

K we are praying for you daily =)
God will heal! No matter what's been done to you, He wants to be your refuge. He loves you. And He offers healing for your deepest wounds.

Parent...Thank you so much. Please continue praying. God knows the truth.

alwaysamazed said:
"Has anyone looked at the school web site"

There is something that doesn't add up about their response to The Everett Herald on the HCS website !!! They say;

"On August 8, 2008, the Everett Herald published an article stating that the the HCS Board knew of prior allegations of sexual misconduct before hiring Mark Brown as administrator in 2006. This statement is not true."

What may not be true is that the WHOLE Board knew of his prior allegations but I suspect that MB's friends on the Board knew. That is my gut feeling. So Monday ask that direct question (did anyone on the Board, now or back when he was hired, know of the prior allegations)

I can not imagine that a Herald writer would jeapordize their career by using a lawyer's name & making up a total lie . Surely by now if it were a total lie the Herald would have fixed it.

Even if it were one Board member that knew of MB allegations they need to be HONEST & tell us the truth. Don't they know it's only the TRUTH that will set HCS free.

We cannot allow them (man) to be in control of Monday's meeting. God needs to be in control. Their ways obviously have not worked thus far.

Why exactly did Darin Chase step down as chair on the Board?

to the victim: Thank you and your family for having the courage to go through with this. Thanks to you, this shouldn't ever happen to another girl. You have saved HCS by coming forward as things were eroding under MB's reign.
Be strong and let God heal you!!! THANK YOU!!

AMEN!! The TRUTH is the only thing that will set HCS free and it's unfortunate to see that even with everything that has come forth the board is proving by their actions that they are still not willing to be HONEST and forthright! They continue to be deceitful, only revealing those facts which they can no longer hide. What more has the Lord to do to bring them to their knees??! He is calling and wants only for them to be set free so that they can experience the fullness of His grace and mercy. As long as they continue walking in pride and refusing to give it ALL up to the Lord true healing cannot take place!

Hey check out Mark Browns myspace!!!!!

what's the address for the my space acct.

Not much on MB's My Space acct. He hasn't logged on since May 07. But interesting he listed 2 girls in his "biography"
www.myspace.com/196559637

Is MB myspace for real?

That's obviously a spoof

Check out the last logged in date 5/31/2007. It looks like a couple of HCS students were having a little fun at our former principal's expense.

Hopefully we will see you all at HCS at 6pm today for the meeting. I am going into this not expecting to hear a lot of news. Maybe they will surprise me.

A side note: The web site now shows Mrs. Baxter has been replaced with TBA. Her name was removed from the contacts list a few days ago but still appears elsewhere on the web site. I hope the board brings her back (she said she would come back if asked by the school) since there seems to be no relevant reason why her contact was not renewed.

His MySpace page looks like a fake to me, his ethnicity is "Asian", he likes taking walks in the moonlight alone in his backyard, the comment about the two girls who never skip shcool? His only 'friend' is Tom, he has no comments and only two pictures, both of himself.

Robert Hagglund says " I am going into this not expecting to hear a lot of news."

Are you OK with that?

I am not okay with that, although it is what I am expecting given the experience thus far. Our God can melt even the hardest heart if He is allowed though and therefore I will continue to pray!

Observer: Look for his myspace under his display name which is mark(proffesional boxer)... You are looking at his old one..

Assuming I can make it tonight, I can answer that after the meeting when I see what they are doing and have done since July.

About that MySpace page, anyone that graduated out of diapers, maybe even some that haven't, can clearly see it's fraud. I have seen some amusing spoofs. This one isn't even worth a quick look.

to anonoymous what the address of the "professional boxer" account? can't find it.

quote from word press,

"However, that is just the tip of this particular iceburg. You see, Brown is no stranger to the school room or to allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2004, school officials at Concrete High School in Skagit County contacted Child Protective Services when allegations surfaced about Brown having sexual contact with several female students. Brown was released from his contract as wrestling coach at the high school and was promptly hired by Highland Christian School in 2005. Nothing has been mentioned about whether Highland obtained a background check on Brown prior to hiring him, but they do not required their staff to be certified.

And it gets even richer. Brown’s ex-wife divorced him in 2004 when she discovered inappropriate text messages between Brown and a cheerleader at Concrete High School during that dust-up. It seems she knew to be suspicious. She herself began dating Brown when she was 14 and he was 26, and married him when she was 20 against the wishes of her family. She claims their own relationship began the same way, became sexual when she was far from consentual age, but she nor her family reported it.

The primary issue I would like to point out in this story, however, is the actions of this Christian school. What did this man who has a history of alleged sexual misconduct with teenaged girls do when his actions were exposed at the public high school? He went straight for the Christian private school. Did they do a background check? Unfortunately many still do not - even the ones that say they do. And pedophiles know this!

This is why the church is one of the best and brightest targest of pedophiles — because it is just such an easy one. Looking godly is one of the simplest cons around. And with cute looks, lots of charm, and just the right words, someone who is an alleged sex offender such as Mark Evan Brown has it made."

always amazed: I think it got erased because I cant find it anymore..

you're probably correct.

Anyone make it to the MTG tonight?

After much thought & prayer we must move on. Like the woman that spoke at the meeting tonight, we were so excited to enroll our child at this school. So looking forward to a great experience for him. Now how can we place him in this hornets nest? I hope & pray that they can fix this mess but will not subject him to the mess that was allowed to exist for way to long. Why did no one speak up? And if they did, was it only at the price of getting fired. Where was the follow through? The oversight, checks & balances? Parents speak time and again about trying to get a meeting with MB only to not be heard by ANYONE. How many staff members knew about these close door meetings with girls and did nothing or were unable to do any thing?
If you were unable to attend the meeting, there were many heartfelt talks. My heart goes out to you all. Thanks for putting your feelings out there for all to see. We share many of your concerns and feelings.

Exit...Stage Left,

Blessings to you & yours

Exit Stage Left & Not going back: We were also at the meeting tonight and will not be returning. I sincerely pray for each board member that this experience will cause them and all of us to grow closer in our walk with the Lord. The Goener Group is a wonderful organization that if allowed could assist in restoring the focus and direction that is needed. We just do not have the confidence that all the individuals serving on this board are qualified spiritually or otherwise to be in a position of LEADERSHIP over a Christian school. There needs to be a re-evaluation of all board members and staff and we were disappointed that this issue was not addressed. Do we know that the people working with our precious children are safe and teaching sound doctrine? Until we have more confidence we just can't take that chance. We will pray for those who choose to stay and those who are led to go...we all need God's direction & wisdom to make it through!

Regarding the "wordpress" stuff, I hope everyone knows what WordPress is:

"WordPress › Blog Tool and Weblog Platform A semantic personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability.
wordpress.org"

It's just a publishing tool and not a source or news agency. Just about every web hosting company has it available for customers' web sites to use. Basically it's a pre-built blog so web designers don't need to reinvent their own.

(That doesn't say the content is wrong, however, but it's not a source any more than this is.)

I wasn't able to attend tonight's meeting after planning to be there since the date was announced. Major family plans trump the school board, I am afraid. It sounds like it was more of the same. I set my expectations low and wasn't surprised (by the way, no that is really not ok with me, see below). That's not to say that I have anything bad to say about the process or the board, nothing I haven't already said, but I didn't expect a lot from a group of volunteers with so little time to get things done.

***

(1) Did the board say anything about reviewing the hiring, firing and contract decisions made during Mr. Brown's term as administrator? Since he was terminiated I would assume they would want to do this just to cover their bases...but it could take some time, more than the 2 weeks since the last meeting.

***

(2) Did the board report any progress regarding hiring or re-hiring teachers and office staff? I am wondering what's going on with that.

***

I am more concerned with the rapidly approaching school year starting 9/9 than I am with the forensics. I would think getting ready to open in September would be top priority and, once that's clearly on track, then the investigations should begin. Stiking this balance between moving on and looking back will be difficult.

robert haggeland must be drinking the kool-aid. who give a flying fig what "word press" is? it had the same message that the herald sent out.
is "but I didn't expect a lot from a group of volunteers with so little time to get things done." the board? i would think that would have been top priority to them. volunteer postion or not, they need to come clean, sort it out and not expect things to just "fall into place" when school is supposed to open in sept. too many "to be announced" postions open for my comfort.

Just because I don't lap up all the slop online doesn't mean I have been drinking at the Jim Jones kool aid stand. I think it's quite the opposite and I think your cyanide soft drink concerns are a little misplaced, probably not maliciously, just misplaced.

I am not sure what you mean by "come clean" when it comes to the board. If they all asked you how to "come clean", what would you tell them? Call it what you will but I think there is nothing they could do, including resigning, that would make many here happy.

What I do completely agree with is the too many open positions crisis. The list of TBA's keeps growing. When will the disaster end? That needs attention right now, before any time is wasted trying to figure out what went wrong. With the consulting team available and a new administrator working on that it should be solved before the school years starts, but time is running very short.

About things falling into place...nothing ever just falls into place. That's a given, I think. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably has a half-empty pitcher of that kool aid in the fridge.

Like I've said before here and elsewhere, my kids will probably not be starting school on 9/9 with everyone else. It's just economics for my family. If I can work something out before the first week of September, the boys will be there in 3rd and 9th grades. Even if they are not there for the start of the year, HCS can count on my help and hands-on support. If every other parent was willing to take that position our school would already be well on its way back on track. After all, it's hard to mess up in front of hundreds of parents and volunteers with their hundreds of pairs of eyes and ears but it's easy to hide the oops's when it's only the paid staff there, all trying to do their jobs. That's why the public schools here don't really want parents around--I have first hand experience with that here in Marysville. Thankfully, HCS doesn't have that problem and hopefull never will.

One more slap at the TBA problem... I expect a lot of turnover as the changes we all want are put into action. It's less than 1 month away from the 1st day of school and it looks like 1/3 of the teachers--including some darn good ones--just disappeared off the radar. Any of you wonder why I am not so worried about looking back? I hope it's clear to all where my concerns are placed. 9/9 is coming fast.

The light at the end of the tunnel is just an oncoming train . . .

Here is the "retraction" from the Herald and they are starting to name names.

Highland Christian Schools' attorney reverses remarks

By Kaitlin Manry and Diana Hefley
Herald Writers

ARLINGTON -- It's now unclear how much members of the Highland Christian Schools board knew about Mark Brown's past when they hired him as principal in 2006.

Brown is awaiting trial for allegedly raping a student inside Highland Christian Schools in Arlington.

Brett Nagle, the school board's attorney, on Monday reversed statements he made last week that the board knew Brown had been investigated for sexual misconduct at Concrete High School before hiring him.

"They did a background check prior to hiring Mr. Brown," Nagle said Monday. "They spoke to references of his previous employers. They had no information that he had ever been accused of any sexual misconduct when they hired him."

Brown is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Highland student at school after he allegedly encouraged her to run away from home. Investigators found nearly 700 text messages between the two from May 21 to June 13, court documents said.

The girl and her family obtained a no-contact order against the former principal on June 24. Brown was arrested July 9 for investigation of harboring the girl at school.

The school board found out about the allegation against Highland's top administrator on July 14, Nagle said.

It wasn't until he was charged with third-degree child rape in late July that Brown was placed on administrative leave at Highland. Nagle said the board didn't take action sooner because it didn't have enough information about the harboring allegation.

Brown came to the private Christian school after he lost his previous job as a wrestling coach at Concrete High School in Skagit County. He was investigated there after reports of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female student.

The student denied that she had any sexual contact with Brown. She told Skagit County investigators they exchanged text messages, went to dinner together and Brown occasionally gave her a ride home.

No charges were filed.

Nagle on Monday said he isn't sure what sort of background check the school board did on Brown, 37, of Arlington. The attorney also said he hasn't seen a copy of Brown's resume and doesn't know his employment history.

Nagle said the board spoke with someone from the Concrete School District, but Nagle said he didn't know who. He also said he didn't know specifics of that conversation, only that the allegations of sexual misconduct were not discussed.

Concrete High School Principal Don Beazizo said no one from Highland Christian Schools spoke with him before the private school hired Brown.

Concrete school officials did tell the Darrington School District superintendent that Brown had been investigated for sexual misconduct with a student. After losing his job in Concrete, Brown had expressed an interest in working with the Darrington High School wrestling team.

The Highland school board has referred all questions from The Herald to Nagle.

School board members have a responsibility to explain to parents and the public the steps they took to check Brown's previous employment history and criminal record, said Everett attorney Mitch Cogdill, who represents the 14-year-old girl and her parents.

"It is important, outside the context of my case, for the public to know what they knew and when they knew it," Cogdill said. "Parents have the absolute right to know this, not only current parents but prospective parents."

There must be a degree of confidence that the school board takes the proper steps to ensure the safety of students, he said.

Nagle said he believes the school board learned of the rape allegation on July 22, the day before Brown was arraigned on the charge. They placed Brown on administrative leave. The school board is cooperating with investigators, Nagle said.

State law gives private schools the authority to require a prospective employee to undergo a background check. However, private schools aren't required to conduct that sort of screening, unlike a public school.

Brown's troubles in Concrete wouldn't have shown up on a state criminal background check because he was never charged with a crime.

Snohomish County sheriff's detectives first arrested Brown on July 9 for investigation of harboring a minor, obstructing justice and making a false statement to a public servant. Investigators believe Brown set up a room for the girl at Highland, including a hide-away bed and television, and encouraged her to run away, court documents show.

Brown bailed out of jail the same day. The girl told investigators about two weeks later that Brown had sexually assaulted her while she was in the room at school.

Detectives went to search Highland the next day, July 22. Brown was there and asked the investigators why they were at the school, court documents show. Prosecutors had arranged for him to show up in court on July 23 to be arraigned on the child rape charge.

Investigators explained they didn't intend to arrest Brown. They wanted to speak with an administrator who could give them permission to take photographs inside the school.

Brown allegedly told the detective his attorney advised all staff not to speak with police and asked if the deputies had a search warrant.

Brown told detectives school board president Darin Chase was expected to arrive soon and explained that the school board was meeting that afternoon to discuss the investigation, according to the search warrant affidavit filed in Cascade District Court.

Chase arrived and told the detective he was trying to reach the school's attorney for advice. He couldn't provide the attorney's name to the detective, court documents show. Nagle said he was hired by the board July 24.

Chase refused to give the detectives permission to search the school.

"Based on the lack of cooperation from the school and Brown's current presence at the school," detectives were concerned evidence of the room would be removed if they didn't get a warrant to search the school, they wrote in court documents.

Investigators within hours returned with a search warrant. They collected evidence, including notes from Brown's office, a couch cushion and a grocery store receipt, documents show.

Brown was charged with child rape and arraigned the next day. A school board member distributed a statement after the hearing, saying the board was standing behind Brown.

The board on July 25 posted a letter on the school's Web site, announcing that Brown was being fired.

About 240 students in kindergarten through 12th grade attend Highland Christian Schools.

The board was scheduled to meet with families at the school Monday evening. A new interim principal was hired last week. Darlene Hartley serves on the Stanwood-Camano school board and is a retired elementary school principal.

Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.

The Evertt Herald article states Chase not only lied to detective about having an attorney, he would NOT cooperative with the detectives. They had to obtain a search warrant.

The family of the victim and the Sheriffs Department had no cooperation from the school and the school board until after the fact, starting July 24th. It is all on record. You CANNOT deny the facts and the truth. Maybe an apology is in order from the school board???

The HCS school board is comprised in part by people who are not honest and have something to hide. WHY on earth would our board members not want to cooperate fully with investigators in this or any other matter? They wouldn't have needed their attorneys advice at that point if they were sure that they had nothing to hide. Notice this article states that their attorney "reversed statements", if he didn't actually make the comments in the first place the Herald would have had to write apology. Does anyone else find it odd that they have not come forward with exactly what background checks were done and names of those they supposedly spoke with before hiring Mark Brown? The Concrete School district informed Darrington of MB's misconduct...I'm sure they would have informed HCS if they had called. There is a need for a good Christian school in this community but the fruits shown by some of these individuals show that they do not possess the character and Christ centered focus necessary to make it happen.

This from the school website: "Highland Christian School Board is allowing an exception in regard to the statement on our Smart Tuition contract; "This agreement is a year-long contract and is binding for the entire amount, regardless of the reason for withdrawal." This statement will not be in effect for the school year 2008 - 2009 due to the current transitional circumstances our school is in." I AM CONFUSED. Does the board still intend to enforce this crazy policy beginning next year??? This is not standard practice for most private schools. It would allow them the freedom to make any decisions they wish without any real accountability or fear of losing tuition dollars! They would be able to collect tuition payments for the entire ANNUAL amount regardless of any reason you as a parent may choose to withdraw your students! And even if they made exceptions....parents shouldn't have to justify their reasons to the school. Another BIG RED WARNING FLAG!!! If this was not their intent, then why did they not say that this statement would be removed from the contracts completely???

Why is the board so adament about school uniforms and tuition? To me, those are all secondary to the proper background checks and getting a proper curriculum in order before Sept. What are these people thinking? I think i know what they are thinking.... $$$$$

Why is the board acting as if they have something to hide? Everyone on this board is acting very strange. Am I the only one that sees this? They act like they are in cahoots with Mark Brown. I never wanted to say this, but it is hard not to say.

Ok, did Mark Brown have anything to do with how these board members were elected? If he did, I am thinking, being the manipulater that he is, he knew what he was doing. It seeems that none of them have any discernment at all!!! If you read the brother in law's blog, he even said that Mark Brown told him that they weren't very smart....There is something not right about all this....someone is hiding something...I know that the victims famlily was lied to by many people at that school...out right lies!!!! If I had a child going to that school, I wouldn't be sending them there this year!!!!

I could not make it to yesterday's meeting. From the blogs posted it does not sound like anything was accomplished.
I don't know the specifics of running a school honestly. I do know and feel that as a paying parent of 3 children enrolled at HCS at over $800.00 a month I consider myself "part owner" of the school. As a "part owner" I should have a voice a vote. As all other parents "part owners" of this private institution--We all own it together a cooperative. One goal--a Christ centered education. I have not taken any polls. I don't know numbers. What I am hearing is alot of unhappiness and loss of confidence in our board--including myself. How can they be involved in this legal affair and in the middle of the scandal and still run the school? To many other things to focus on rather than the kids---which is why we are all here, right?
Why haven't all of us "part owners" demanded a vote of confidence, or no-confidence in the board?
It should be up to us --we pay the school bills. If the majority have confidence than so be it. If not we vote in a new school board--simple....And school begins with a fresh start on 9/9/08. It should be ALL of us HCS parents that are deciding who we want to lead our school, right? Like I said......I pay the tuition and so do you. The board works for us. Or is this a dictatorship?
Let's vote!

a re-vote has been suggested but it looks as though there are enough parents who seem to be fine with the current board. It was made clear at the last two meetings that our requests as parents will continue to be ignored. Those who stay should be prepared that any changes made will be on their terms.

you want answers to MB behavior in his office demand answers from Mrs. Wallitner she knows more than probably anyone else.

Is there a family directory NOW available for the school SO parents can stay in contact with each other?

These board members were manipulating and trying to do things on their own. They wanted the school to be a certain way. Mr. Crawford stood up at the last meeting and said his son was worried about his senior year being messed up. And He promised his son that he wouldn't let that happen. What about these past two years? What about all the previous seniors last years? The board saw what THEY wanted and like i said manipulated, lied and were deceitful, and are still doing the same now. They stood up and positioned themselves where God should of stood. And when he brought things to light, they refused to listen. They blatently stood up to God. Its sad and it sickens my heart. No good can come out of this until you remove the Goliath that stands in your way. I've seen a lot of churches do the same Men manipulating and trying to force Gods hand. These churches hang on by a thread for years, then they collapse. Stubborn, stubborn men.

There is no family directory when I asked Mrs. Wallitner about a directory in the beginning of the year she told me " that too many parents complained about the family directory because it was to be used for getting a hold of families to discuss school issues but instead families were being bothered about getting calls not related to school" Now I doubt that is the real reason. I as a parent never received one innapproriate call from any family member. I also don't remember any kind of survey to see if families wanted the directory or not. My gut feeling is MB did not want families to contact eachother & once again Mrs. Wallitner was used to lie for him.
I may be wrong are there any parents out there that did not want the directory anymore because of getting calls that were more for soliciting?

We've gone through quit a few secretaries in these past few years! Ever wonder why?

This is just the beginning of cleaning house.

"This is just the beginning of cleaning house."

I tend to agree, but I would use the more politically correct term of "restructuring" since I am not sure who needs to be cleaned and who doesn't...and I am deeply disappointed in some of the cleansing of teachers from the rolls, so I am not sure this is going to be limited to the cleaning out of people who might need to go.

***

My personal experience with Mrs. Wallitner is that she is absolutely a straight shooter. And, yes, I agree, she is probably in a great position to speak to the behavior of Mr. Brown while in the office area. I do not know what experiences other people have had with her but I would assume they were similar to mine unless proven otherwise.

***

I am personally in favor of a family directory. We have always been willing to at least give out email addresses. I have heard that sales people like to try to use them to find people who are willing to spend a lot of money on their kids, but my personal experience is no spam and no sales calls. So, I don't see what the problem is with making one available. The alternative (we have done this) is to just collect information student-to-student as it has the same results in the end.

***

I'd like to hear from Mr. Chase about the day the detectives came to the school--in his own words verbally, perhaps at the next meeting. As described by the Herald in it's reporting of the police report, his actions seem really strange. I assume he had his reasons, even if they weren't the great in 20-20 hindsight, so I'd like to hear him talk about it so I have a better understanding of what happened that day from his point of view. We've heard from the police via the Herald so getting the other side seems reasonable and just. No Kool Aid required.

Robert it is really too bad that you were not able to make it to the meeting Monday night. A lot more was said & brought out to the surface.

So i guess my question is this....Who in their right mind would PAY to send their kid to this school in Sept.? ROFL! Havent you people seen enough? Heard enough? (or too little too late?)

The family wanted to contact other families and inform them of the 700 text messages..By the way, that is just one cellphone. There was actually 2 cellphone their daughter was using. They are still trying to track the other cellphone. They need a family directory with this school board. THEY do NOT Listen to the parents!!!!

Reading all of this and hearing of others who requested a vote for a new school board and were denied makes me think, hum??? Why are they so stubborn about staying? Is the board a paid position? If not do they get free tuition? Why would they not back down for all of our kid's sake and let everything get a fresh start? If they want my $800.00 a month I should get a voice. If I am understanding that I don't and I won't then I absolutly will not return to HCS. Knock off 3 more from your registration and $800.00 from your monthly income. There are alot more schools out there and I don't have to invest a chunk of my monthly salary to this particular school. The teachers are all great! I feel terrible for them.

Heres an idea, maybe all the good teachers and all the concerned parents could rent a building and start their own school, with the Lord in the center of all of it! Lord, please make a way where these parents, teachers and children can learn and have fellowship in your holy name! Make a way, Lord Jesus, for those who are faithful and want you in their lives, and in their childrens lives. Come now, Lord, Show us a way. Give us direction. In Jesus holy name ...and all that agree say, AMEN!

To "Me". Sadly enough that's how so many churches get started, someone doesn't like something and they start their own and yet another "church with a chip".
Starting another "little" school probably isn't the answer. Getting a handle on the one in question seems more realistic.
The building is secure, the parents and families are there, just clean house as needed and as parents take the school by storm.
Don't let the board dictate what happens. If nothing can be done, Public School is cheap, offers many courses at college prep level and can be just as awesome as a "private" school. Both require parental involvement.

Hi amazed
Yes, and they do background checks! I have already said that mine wont go back. HCS, you wont get my hard earned dollars after all of you lied! NOT ONE OF YOU STOOD UP AND SAID THIS IS WRONG!!!! Why?!!!! Are you that corrupt? Or were some of you scared? Either way, you were silent! Silence is acceptance in my book!

Even if they did allow a vote who is voting? Mark Brown and this board have doubled enrollment but at what cost? It has been some time since the school upheld their claim that they are an "extension of the Christian home". Randy B. and others have been pushing to relax standards so that we would be able to open up the school to more students and they got their way! Look at all the sexual immorality, drinking, and drugs going on and lifesyles of some of the families currently enrolled. Some of these kids are here because they didn't make it in the public school. We have become a reform school. How many would qualify if admittance requirements were in force again? I'm not sure that this school can operate effectively as a "parent owned" school as it stands. They need to clean house alright starting with the board, staff and students....but how can Mark C. make this his sons "best senior year possible" unless they have the $$$$$ to make it happen.

me--Parents need take the school by storm, sit on the porch, walk the halls. if those who want their kids to go back, that is what they need to do. If they don't they are accepting the status quo.
Right now, this man needs to be stopped. He's been on this journey for a long time. He was good at finding girls who's parents totally disapproved of him, and would sneak them out their windows at night. So why would he not sneak this young lady into the school?
I do not have kids at the school. Private schools have always been my choice. I believe children need to learn morals, faith and behavior/discipline at home and the public schools teach them how to deal with people of other faiths, or of no faith, how to control themselves using the self discipline skills learned at home.
I also know many people who do not feel the same and that is what makes us so unique. We have the right to decide what we feel is best for our children.
Bless you this school year. Whatever decision you have made for your children is bound to be difficult, uprooting children, changing routines etc. But with God on your side you'll be fine.

correction - Public Schools have always been my choice not private

Yes, I have heard lots came out at the Monday meeting and that it wasn't quite as pleasant as last time. Did they announce any follow-up meeting dates?

To all parents going back to HCS under this board and making it a glorified reform school: darkness and light dont mix. what is your childs soul worth? when they see immoral things happening dont you think they to may want to check it out? do not through your children to the fire! many went with truth, and they would not receive it.

Robert Hagglund said "Yes, I have heard lots came out at the Monday meeting and that it wasn't quite as pleasant as last time"

I wouldn't say that it wasn't quite as pleasant as last time. More parents spoke up this time & brought up important imformation that all needing to finally hear! The meetings should not be pleasant this is not a pleasant time for HCS.

Whether staff said nothing for fear of losing their jobs or they just didn't see it happening... Our child will not be put in such an unsafe, negative environment.

A parent said:
"many went with truth, and they would not receive it."

True!!

We're taking our 3 children out of the school too. It was a very tough decision but one we felt we had to make for our kids. This year looks to very tumultious and we simply do not want to subject our children to that. We were also concerend with the school not making it and losing all of our tution which we pay up front. I'd really love to see the school make it through this and come back stronger and better but as I see it there is less of a chance of that happening than closure. With less tution coming in and more money going out for lawyers and the Goener Group not to mention the very likely forth comnig law suits for back tuition's financial distress looks to be a very real thing.

Very sad!

To Lost Confidence; it sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your choice and it's the same choice I'd make if I had children attending the school. As an outside observer, I have no connection to the school other than knowing MB and his history. He has caused untold pain in many people's lives over many years, and it sounds like he thought he could run his own little empire in this Christian School. He brought years of corruption, and absolutely no experience as any type of Administrator, and as more and more of the skeletons come from his closet, many of you will see he brought little to no Christian values to the school either. Guard your babies well, I hope the school can get rid of this board and the people involved in the hiring of MB, maybe next year there will be a fresh slate and your children can return and receive the type of education and spiritual guidance your family desires for them. May God's blessings be upon you and your family.

MB did what he was allowed to do. If this situation with the victim never happened he would still be their, families would still be bringing up concerns & being ignored & made to feel they are the problem & MB is a God Sent.

MB should have been fired along time ago! It makes me sick that HCS wants to just "moveon.org"

The way they have treated this girls family is unexcusable. This could've been my daughter,or yours & how would you feel not to even get a phone call from the school to see how she was doing, how the family is doing.

"Based on the lack of cooperation from the school and Brown's current presence at the school," detectives were concerned evidence of the room would be removed if they didn't get a warrant to search the school, they wrote in court documents"

Why would the school not cooperate with the detectives. There is no reason for that behavior. Especially if you felt a person was innocent you would be more than happy to cooperate (you would think)

When wrestling coach Mark Brown was questioned about his relationship with a Concrete High School student in 2004, Brown replied, “What am I being sued for, raping someone?”

Four years later, Brown has been charged with just that.

Last week, Brown was charged with the rape of a 14-year-old student at Highland Christian Schools, where he took the job of principal after his contract with Concrete schools was not renewed.

When Mike Parker, Concrete’s former superintendent, heard the news, he wasn’t surprised.

At the end of the wrestling season in 2004, Parker heard rumors that Brown was spending time alone with one student.

“What I had heard didn’t sit well with me,” said Parker, who is now superintendent at Hoquiam School District.

Brown now faces third-degree rape charges in Snohomish County for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student after exchanging hundreds of text messages, one of which encouraged her to run away from home. He set up a room for her at Highland Christian Schools, where the alleged crime occurred, according to court documents. He was fired last Friday.

An investigation four years ago by the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office turned up allegations of Brown’s inappropriate behavior toward female students in Concrete, including one girl in particular with whom he developed a close relationship. However, the case closed when investigators found no evidence that Brown had committed a crime.

The investigation was sparked when a case worker with the state’s Child Protective Services agency told the Sheriff’s Office of suspicions about Brown’s conduct.

Investigators found that Brown was frequently texting a 17-year-old female student. One of his texts said, “I like you and I think about you all the time,” and “When I am not around you I imagine holding you close.”

The student denied any sexual contact with Brown in a written statement at the time, obtained this week from the Sheriff’s Office.

One witness told sheriff’s investigators that Brown and the girl watched a movie from his hotel room bed during a state wrestling tournament in Tacoma. They lay on their stomachs next to each other, the investigator’s report said.

In an interview with investigators, a witness said he “couldn’t hear their conversation, but it looked kind of weird,” according to the report.

In her written statement, the girl said she and Brown did watch a movie from the same bed, but were not close together.

“During the time we were watching the movie or anytime for that matter, he never touched me inappropriately,” she wrote.

She also explained the texts.

“I texted him telling him I liked him,” her statement says. “He wrote back telling me that he liked me too, but only as friends.”

The girl also wrote that Brown took her out to dinner on a Saturday night at the Burlington Red Robin restaurant.

According to the investigator’s report, when the girl’s mother was questioned about the dinner, she said Brown was helping her daughter with financial aid forms because she was interested in becoming a psychologist. Brown had taken some classes in the subject.

Parker was the Concrete superintendent in 2004.

“I didn’t know really the depth of what was taking place other than the fact that he was overly involved with her in terms of calling her and texting her,” Parker said. “I didn’t think it was appropriate at the time.”

But the 2004 investigation didn’t stop with the 17-year-old.

While helping his ex-wife, Casey West, coach volleyball at the high school, sheriff’s reports state, Brown told the girl’s volleyball team to wear skin-tight spandex instead of loose-fitting shorts.

The team then complained to the athletic director, Dave Faddis, about the spandex request, which led to a reprimand for Brown, the investigator’s report said.

West, of Darrington, divorced Brown in 2004 after finding out about Brown’s relationship with a student at Concrete High School, according to the Everett Herald newspaper.

West told the newspaper that she started dating Brown in 1996, when she was 14 and he was 26.

Brown was also disciplined an additional three separate times for taking students home in his personal vehicle, against the school’s policy, the report said.

Finally, Superintendent Parker requested a meeting with Brown. When Brown didn’t show up, Parker asked for another. Then another. It became clear, Parker said, that Brown did not want to meet to talk about the incidents.

“He didn’t persist in wanting a contract,” he said.

Shortly after Brown left, school officials from Darrington called to ask Parker why the district did not re-hire Brown. Apparently, Parker said, Brown wanted to coach at Darrington.

“I talked to several people about the reservations I had with him,” Parker said. “I told them that we didn’t have any closure on a situation involving a female student. He never did come in to give me his side of the story.”

Darrington did not hire Brown as coach after his stint at Concrete, though the district had utilized him as a volunteer before he coached in Concrete. Parker said nobody from Highland Christian Schools contacted him regarding Brown before Brown was hired as principal three years ago.

While some people involved in the Concrete case want to forget the investigation, the recent allegations in Arlington are stirring up confused emotions.

“My reaction was, at first, shock,” said one of Brown’s former Concrete wrestlers, Nick Fallis. “I really liked the guy. I’m still confused.”

Fallis, now 20, said Brown was a “phenomenal coach.” He pushed the wrestlers to make sure “we were on top of our game.”

Brown memorized competing wrestlers’ moves to give his students tips during tournaments. Fallis said he doesn’t remember seeing any suspicious contact between Brown and any females.

“I was young then, too,” Fallis said. “So I wasn’t really looking out for anything.”

If the Arlington case reveals that a crime might have occurred in Concrete too, the case will be re-opened, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.

Very interesting information. There are a lot of us who hope that the Sheriff's Office will also take another look into the death of his friend in his home, and his immediate relationship and marriage to his friend's wife. His statements to the Police were contradictory, the entire situation was clouded in very unusual circumstances and many questions remain unanswered.

Are you saying that MB's friend died in his home (MB's) or in his own home? This is a new twist in the back ground of MB.

MB friend died in MB's House

Actually this is not a new twist I know there is a lot of reading to go back to on this blog but that information has been revealed already. If I were you I would take time to read through this blog.

Have any answers been given concerning other families complaints on other teachers?

I would suggest if the school Board ignores those complains than go outside HCS & file a complaint.

Those are also serious allegations. I hope something else doesn't need to happen for them to act.

What is going on with Joey? We have heard that the board was going to let him go but he's listed as a staff member on the school website. I can't amagine that they would continue to ignore parents concerns and keep him around.

what is going on said:" I can't amagine that they would continue to ignore parents concerns and keep him around"

Why can't you imagine that? What has given you the impression that things have changed & to expect anything more than the Board ignoring parents concerns? Seriously do you really see anything else change?

OH ya & can you say Football & Wrestling we can't take the chance of loosing those sports now can we.Priorities Priorities.

The website is not updated

Insider: what are you saying....is he returning or not? and what about the other teachers. are you doing a re-evaluation of all staff that have been hired over the last few years? how thorough will this be? There are others who also should not be placed in a position of leadership at a CHRISTIAN school....not because of criminal history but a lack of spiritual groundedness. I want to know that the people influencing my children are giving them the right message. what about the families.....are they going to have to re-apply and meet a higher standard? How many will be allowed to stay and continue polluting the school?

ummmmm said:
OH ya & can you say Football & Wrestling we can't take the chance of loosing those sports now can we.Priorities Priorities.
HOW TRUE! Sports can be a good thing, but not the priority of a school, private or public. Personally I don't think they should be a "regular" part of school but a completely "extracurricular" program. Pay to play, parents take or rent the bus and pay for drivers. It should not be a budgeted item. Especially when so many are falling down in the the academics

I don't know what the final decision was on Joey Brown was, however I do know that they were looking into his credentials, background, and complaints against him. I also know that they were looking into the credentials of some of the other teachers as well. I do know that they have a Kindergarten teacher, a first grade teacher, a 2nd grade teacher, they are interviewing for a 3rd and 4th grade teacher right now. Andrew Hunt will be teaching Spanish in the High School. They have a middle school language arts teacher, a new Biology and Math teacher, and Jennifer Edwards will not be coming back. All of this is not reflected on the web page as of yet.

MB was not the only staff member text messaging students inappropriately . Mrs. W does know this there were other parents voicing concerns over a particular female staff member that worked with the highschools kids.

Weren't some of those new teachers hired before the end of last school year. What was the interview process? Why aren't we hearing from the BOARD the standards that are going to be in place???? Not that it would mean a whole lot given their history of lies and deceit. i want to believe that they have changed but have they gone to the parents & staff members that they ignored in the past to ask forgiveness and make reconciliation? how about the parents of the alleged victim, they have not reached out to them at all. Do they not believe they were wrong? They are more concerned about what could happen legally. Self-preservation equals PRIDE. One of the board members daughters made a statement recently saying "that girl (the victim) is just ruining Mark Brown's reputation". Hmm...i wonder where she got that from? This board is not being forthright in letting us know what they really think. Are they still in support of this man? maybe not all but seriously you need to really look at each individual who is on that board. They cannot all be trusted. They are smooth talkers who will tell people what they think they want to hear. Many are being fooled and I pray the truth will be revealed to those who want to see it!

Have they mentioned if they are going to look into the volunteer coaches backgrounds? They are interacting with our kids and should have the same requirements as staff. Some of them were recruited from public schools based solely on their coaching abilities. There was no concern as to whether they lived their lives in a way that would indicate a true commitment to the Lord.

I believe MARK BROWNS reputation speaks for itself!!!! To make a statement like that shows that they do NOT want to see the truth and they never will...

But you can't hide the truth is going to come out. By the time it does the way the families are being played it wouldn't surprise me if they would not even believe the proof from the trial.

a message to the victim....we are praying for you and are so proud of you for coming forth with the truth. I know it's hard to hear people say they don't believe but just remember they have been manipulated the same way you were. They just don't understand that yet. Keep looking to Jesus for your strength...He will never leave your side. Psalm 55:16-18; 56:3-4 "I will call upon God and He will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud, and he will hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul from the battle that was against me". "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" You are not alone!

Just like compassion said we arealso praying for you and are so proud of you for coming forth with the truth.
Remember...
The Lord says that NO weapon that is formed against you will prosper! EVERY tongue that shall rise against you – you will show to be wrong! There is nothing that you need to do to defend yourself. All you need to do is to be yielded to the Lord, believe His word, and trust completely in Him. Be a doer of the word. Act on God’s word. Walk in the love of God. He will take care of everything else.

To compassion and jesus loves you.. Thank you for your prayers. I am sure that means alot to her.

Sounds like the board members are all aliens as this is an X-Files episode. What a bunch of pathetic whining!

The "contact us" page still has the email address shadows of some the the teachers who served last year at of 8/20 at 10:51pm and lots of TBA's.

Have you ever found Highland's website to be up to date? Knights dispatch, calendar, ptsc, student kiosk and contact us pages all have outdated information.

I informed last night from a Highland football player that JB will not be coaching football it's Chase & another person (I forgot their name) because JB was evaluated & because he didn't attend church he could not coach. I am not sure about him teaching I would assume that he could not teach also. That would have to be confirmed from the school the student didn't say anything about him not teaching.

Accusations were not mention as well.I am sure admitting that could put the school at another law suit risk . Since more than one sudent & their parents ( 3 families that I know of) brought the concerns to the school & also written complaints to the board that were never addressed or answered at all from the board. If you were not at the last meeting that was mentioned.
That is absolutely unexcusable. They knew & so did parents (who chose to be involve in the school last year)that JB did not attend church which was brought to their attention way back in the school year.
It looks like families that have chosen to stay are ok with the board not answering for this issue & many more. So how could any family be so sure that these same mistakes will not be made again if they cannot even confess & ask for forgiveness. Sure the majority of families may have not been effected by any of these issues & I am so glad for that. I would not wish that on anyone else. That still does that make it OK because it was a minority that got hurt. Actually I take that back now it has indeed effected the whole school.

the brown family has not been much for church attendance ever. the dad did attend a church i attended, but it was pretty way out on his part. a family with lots of baggage and seemingly emotional issues-esp parents. life style never did reflect any church attendance or even a belief system of any kind.
just heard yesterday that jb will not be returning. i've been wondering all along how he could teach weight training and not be certified. thankfully no student injured themselves while in the class!
the saga continues and it seems the board is choosing to bury their heads in the sand and not communicate fully with parents. those who are willing to settle for the status quo are scary.
i have a feeling lots of things are going to surface in the coming year.

Please take some time to pray for the Brown's as they clearly need it. I think Mark tried to do a lot of good things for the kids and the school and Satan dragged his past to the forefront and tried to ruin the good as he always does. That's why we must be careful who we choose to lead. If we, through the school board, didn't put him in a position that he was not qualified for he might not have sinned so badly...so who's fault is it? Not just Mark's and not just the board's. As parent-owners it really ultimately falls to us.

Awesome ..... Wow you've got to be kidding. My fault as a parent. I did not put him in that position!I did not fail to check & make sure he was qualified & attending a church, I did not ignore numerous complaints from families. I did not ever agree of MB having so much control. I as a parent never received letters from parents & ignored them, I as a parent did not bring in unchurched kids into a Christian school for sports & raising the numbers of enrollment. I as a parent did not assault an innocent girl. I as a parent did not allow drugs into HCS. I as a parent did not allow girls to be sexually harrassed by students during class.

What I did do as a parent was brought up concerns to the board when they hired MB, I spoke to a board member about a student giving drugs to HCS students, I voiced my concerns about staff members not attending church, I voiced my concerns about MB giving students keys to the school I could go on.

What did you do "Awesome" ?

Satan did not drag his pass anywhere by the way. He has chosen to do the evil that he has done!

"because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

1 Corinthians 10:13
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

None of these scriptures says except if you are Mark Brown now do they?

And what about his wife at home, pregnant with their child all the time that this was going on...

pretty harsh judgment for so-called christians. i thought satan walked the earth looking for those to devour too. maybe this mark guy was one of them.

I think the people that elected this board should start actually taking the responsibility. If you elect leaders and they fail is it their fault for being bad leaders or your fault for choosing the wrong people to let the school your kids attend? I say you need to do what needs to be done to remove the bad apples from the barrel and get new leaders using whatever legal process you have available. And, I say the fault ultimately falls on you for picking bad leaders. What about the girl on tv that said she was there and none of this happened? Is she a liar because you want to believe this Brown man is a creep? So he's a creep. Ok. Does that make him a rapist just because one girls says so even though her best friend had the stones to go on tv and say she was lying? I think the one that went on tv has more cred since she was willing to stick her neck out and ruin her friendship. What does she have to gain for protecting the principal? Free tuition? I say nothing and she's telling the truth.

My oh my! I can't believe what "awesome" said! MB is solely responsible for whatever he has done. He's a grown man. Sure Satan can influence, but we can choose not to act on those promptings. Of course the family needs prayer. I'll certainly not dispute that fact. That's a given. But to take the blame off MB is like condoning the old saying from some stupid TV show "The Devil made me do it". He makes non of us do anything. We ultimately have the choice. But oh my goodness, we don't want to admit that.

Did anyone ever say MB was a believer? Satan takes down non-believing do-gooders all the time. I think MB is one and fell into Satan's trap i.e. 1 Timothy with MB acting as church leader w/o all the quals and being perhaps new to the faith as some have said.

About the friend, do you know the credentials of the friend?? is she credible?? Have you asked the sheriffs department about all the different stories she has told?? Do you realize her family could be charged for their role in the matter?? I hope they are! The family is not credible and were involved and did violate the law! That is the facts of the case! Take a look at the truth and the facts!!

Not so awesome: I have been friends with the victim since 3rd grade and the girl on the news is not her best friend, I am.. The girl on the news hasnt even called the vitcim through all of this and asked how she is doing.. some friend she is!

Oh and FYI.. The so called "best friend" stole half of the vitims clothes.. Oh! and was wearing her jeans and shoes on the news..

To Not so Awesome,

After I found out about this case, I started researching pedophiles. It is common for the pedophile to groom the victim and friends involved. Many times the pedophile is victimizing both, and the best friend might have feelings for the pedophile, and is a victim herself. She is probably covering for the pedophile.

Not so awesome: I'm not sure how much you know about this case and the history at the school. Mark Brown has a "thing" for underage girls. You would have to be blind not to recognize the pattern after hearing about the others he has abused in the past. I wonder how many more there are who don't feel comfortable coming forward after hearing all the ignorant comments from people like you! He was inappropriate with other students during his time at the school. MB chooses his victims carefully and uses a different tactic depending on who he is dealing with. This was evident in his dealings with parents and teachers as well. He knew who would be easy prey. Remember those psychology books that his brother-in-law observed in his home...it appears he studied them well. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the girl who went on tv was abused herself and afraid of what might be revealed when her friend came forward. I'm not saying that is what happened but there is a whole lot more to this than what meets the eye. MB is very good at convincing these girls that he "loves and cares for them". They will do just about anything for him. The high school boys still think he's a "really cool guy". He went out of his way to make sure that everyone had complete confidence in him probably to make sure he would have a good defense system when he was finally caught. He did NOT have any of their best interests at heart. This man is a master manipulator and if you don't see that maybe you are one of the those he has got under his control. Do you really think that parents are to blame for this crime because we elected the school board? I agree that there were parents who did not take their responsibility seriously when it came to voting. Some had the attitude of "I don't really know who they are but if they are willing to run great, because I certainly don't have the time". I hope this will cause people to wake up but the board was very secretive and did not exactly share much about what was going on and most parents didn't have a clue! There were some who voiced concerns and they were either lied to, ignored or told to "shut up". Most of the parents who are still there believe that the board is doing a great job so not sure how many will be voted out when it comes to re-election. Those who aren't comfortable with the current board are no longer there. For the record, we voted NO on 3 board members because we didn't know enough about them and their spiritual background...those same 3 have proven to be a big part of the problem.

People saw Jesus walk & saw Jesus perform miracles & some still denied him.

Their will still be people who have/or will see, hear truth about MB & The school board & some staff members & even with all the evidence will still choose to deny truth. I praise God that I am not be once of those people I will still coninue to pray for those who are allowing themselves to be deceived.

Remember we are not fighting flesh & Blood

Families are still convinced that HCS was a " Christ Centered School" last year. Even though it was known that their were drugs, Kids having sex, HCS kids ( to this day) that have extremely ungodly myspace pages, kids making homosexual comments amongst each other,sexual harassment towards female students,( which the Golf team was disciplined for did you all know that) partying going on with each other including alcohol, sex & drugs, older girls sharing with younger girls about their sex life with other boys at HCS. The answer that was given to me was " you know how teenagers are they are going to do these things regardless" So parents who have no clue you better wake up & start getting into your kids lives.

Either they don't want to know or just don't care! That school is so full of immorality. To think all that time I could have sent my kids to public school for FREE if I wanted them exposed to all that garbage! Going to church and knowing your Bible doesn't make you a good Christian. Even the demons believe and will use Scripture against us. It's sad to see some of these kids "going through the motions", seeming so spiritual at church and in front of their parents and teachers but then spending thier weekends partying with the rest. It is better to be hot or cold than lukewarm. I pray they will learn this before it's too late!

Thank God or Satan that now all of you have a place to post your gutless blogs. If you really believed your own bs you would print your real names. Justin

"Justin" ?? Parents have already posted on this blog with names & if u have been to any of HCS meetings parents have stood up & have voiced these concerns as well. So just like was stated for some it won't matter what they hear or see they will continue to deny the truth!

Dear Justin,

You must live under a rock or be related to the Brown Family.

to Julie: it sounds like Justin is a teenager at the school, no matter the situation, how can you parents treat a teen this way? are we not trying to teach our children, honor, respect, courage, integrity, trust, and among others love...

and to Justin, if you are a teen, I would recommend you read the posts but not post.

This blog was created for a reason. Not to post crap about each other or to attack each other. Which seems to be the case, like other parents Im trying to find the truth and make a valid decision whether or not to send my kids back. So far Im not convinced either way. But to sway my vote by making obvious remarks to or about each other, and treating each other with such disrespect is wrong. What are we teaching the teens? our children, and don't forget about the victim.

Families were convinced that this is or was a christ centered school. Many parents want the same thing. A school that they can have their children taught at, which is christ centered. I know all too well what public schools offer and how bad it is for these kids at public school. And granted what MB did was a horrible unforgivable thing. But HE IS NO LONGER at the school.

Should we poll parents at the school and consider closing it? what good would that do? Should we continue to play the blame game and attack each board member verbally? what good does that do? is it rightous unto God for you to bicker and condemn vs lifting up the school and taking it back and making it an honorable place to take our children?

Have you forgotten the evil that is out there? schools are continuously being bombarded with kids being gunned down, sex and teachers, rumors, gangs, ect. Your losing what we are all concerned about - what the Principal did and the victim of the situation. Instead your knocking each other down, instead of lifting each other up and comforting each other. We should all be in prayer over this school, the victim, the teachers, ect.

So your mad at the board, be mad, but quite pointing fingers and accusing. Whats done is done. Either leave the school and go elsewhere or stay and make the school a better place.

My only fear right now is that my son who is going into 5th grade. Will not have the same respect and honor for his school and will be holding his head in shame, more because of your posts and what other people think becuase of your posting than anything else at this point.

Quit already!

To Another Parent~ YOU cant hide the fact that the school board is untrustworthy. When they are flushed out and honorable TRUSTWORTHY people come in to lead, and until then, you will not see a different environment from last year. Do you really want to send your child into a school that has drugs, sex and immorality running rampant? On top of that, PAY top dollar for it? I am not finger pointing. For I KNOW these as FACTS.

How do we know you really have the facts? You keep saying you do but how do any of us really know since you are using a false name?

My point exactly; I keep hearing about these "Facts" If I post on a Blog that "Parent" is going to hell, does that make it true? Yes she/he is a coward and is acting in a non-christian way; but that does not mean that she is actually going to hell, coward yes; hell maybe. I up to this point have seen little fact and lots of opinion about the school. Take these facts to the next board meeting on the 27th and share them with everyone so that we can all revel in how smart you are and how dumb we are. It will be your shining moment; tell yourself that God Wills it, that God Wants you to; tell yourself that GOD himself has put you in charge of showing all of us students and parents the error of our ways. But you wont stand up just as you will not reveal your real name on here. You are a coward that hides in the dark just like satan does. As for Julie; I find it funny that all I do is tell people to post their real names and since I'm asking you all to stand in the light; you assume I must be a friend of the Browns: Even though I had expressed no opinion one way or the other. Does this mean that if I told everyone to keep hiding in the dark I'm a friend of the accuser? Interesting

Those of you who have strong opinions about the school or anyone but do not choose to use your name and instead hide behind a cloak of darkness have no credibility at all. I agree; share your facts at the next board meeting and I will support you. Stand up with supportable evidence and people will back you up. If you have none to offer then maybe its time to for you and the other three of you on here to ride into the sun set and find a new school and leave ours alone once and for all. Maybe you can start a we hate HCS/MB club or something and you can be the president and Julie can be the vice president.

I did come with TRUTH in the middle of the year, and they would NOT receive it! Now, I will take my children and go elsewhere. You see, this school wouldnt know the truth if it hit them in the face! Change the name of CHRISTian on your sign. Lord knows He wasnt allowed in your school.....and still isnt! Period. Best wishes as this is my 3rd and last post!

Another parent said "so your mad at the board, be mad, but quite pointing fingers and accusing"....from what I've heard people are not "mad" at the board, they are CONCERNED that something like this may happen again as long as some of the current members are in leadership. If you took the time to read some of the previous posts with an open heart you would see that the majority of the comments are valid concerns and not malicious. You said "Families were convinced that this is or was a christ centered school"......HCS has not been a Christ-centered school for quite some time. At least two of the current board members fought to relax the standards for admission and have created an atmosphere that reflects their efforts.
FACTS: There were several parents who stood up at the meeting and gave the FACTS. If you really wanted to know the facts you could have talked to any one of those people who have personally witnessed the immorality that has been running rampant in the school. No one is making this stuff up. Reasons have been given in previous posts why some people choose not to post using their real names. If you weren't at the meeting I suggest you go to the next one assuming you have a connection with the school. I can't help but wonder if you are one of the students who is involved in some of these activities and doesn't want to be found out??? I can't imagine a parent in their right mind who would not want to know what is going on!

I just wanted to clarify that the "Julie" who posted recently is not me. I am no longer posting on this blog.

There are some people who post here over and over again whining that people won't listen to their "truth" yet they are lurking in the darkness, poking their heads out just enough to slander others and make outrageous comments. Then, like the worms they are, they claim inside knowledge or that they are closer to the center of things so they just know and others don't. Hogwash! They are the worst kind of Christian, if they really are one other than in name only. They attack their brothers rather than coming to their side. So this principal did