An investigation into sexual misconduct allegations continues against Hudson’s Bay teacher Shadbreon Gatson

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

Hudson’s Bay High School teacher Shadbreon Gatson and two administrators remain on administrative leave as Vancouver Public Schools officials continue an investigation into inappropriate behavior of Gatson over the past decade.

Gatson, a band teacher at Hudson’s Bay, received letters of admonishment from the district for allegations of misconduct on two occasions, the first in 2013 and again in 2017.  On Dec. 20, Hudson’s Bay families were notified in a letter from the district that the 43-year-old Gatson was arrested after a law enforcement investigation of inappropriate behavior allegations. A week later, on Dec. 27, the district sent families an additional letter informing them that Gatson had been exonerated of the charges against him on Dec. 26 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

The two administrators currently on administrative leave are Hudson’s Bay Principal Val Seeley, who was the school’s assistant principal when Gatson was first admonished in 2013, and former Principal Bill Oman, who is currently the district’s executive director of schools and learning (middle schools). Oman was the Hudson’s Bay principal in 2013.

“The VPS school board is deeply saddened and angry about the allegations that have been brought forward,’’ read a Monday (Jan. 6) letter from the district to families. “We are especially concerned about the impact the recent news and information is having on you at this moment. We are committed to listening to your concerns, and taking real and meaningful action – not just in regard to the investigation of Mr. Gatson, but also more broadly including, but not limited to, a review of any necessary improvement of our overall district protocols. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us using this email address, concerns@vansd.org.’’

Monday’s letter also updated the families on what information the district can reveal publicly at this point of the investigation.

“We recognize these events have damaged the trust our students and their parents place in us. We are grateful to people who have come forward with information. Friday afternoon, Jan. 3, our VPS School Board reviewed the investigation information regarding Shadbreon Gatson who was placed on administrative leave in November for allegations of sexual misconduct.

“This is what we know to date:

• The building administrators initially investigated concerns in 2013 and notified the school district human resources team.
• In November and December of 2024, we received additional information from victims about the 2013 concerns.
• We are aware that other people came forward and we will continue to share information with the Vancouver Police Department.
• Following these recent developments, the school district has contracted with a third-party investigator to finish the investigation into Mr. Gatson. We hope to take action on the outcomes of that investigation soon.
• The school district is also contracting with a third party investigator to review previous investigations and internal processes regarding investigations of this nature.

“This is what you can expect on Monday, January 6:

• As we await the outcome of the third-party investigations involving Mr. Gatson, he will remain on administrative leave
• As we await the outcome of the third-party investigation into previous investigations, we will place an interim principal at Hudson’s Bay High School
• Bill Oman and Valerie Seeley, the administrators at the time of this incident, have both volunteered to be put on leave while these investigations are ongoing.
• Extra counseling support will be available for our students
• Additional safety staff will be at the school as needed

Monday’s letter was signed by VPS Board President Kathy Decker and VPS Superintendent Jeff Snell.

In the June 12, 2013 letter of admonishment sent by the district to Gatson, the district indicated:

“On June 10th, after school, a custodian reported to an administrator that you and a female student were alone in the band room with the lights off. According to the custodian, he was concerned and feeling uneasy, which prompted him to return to the room and then make a report.’’

The letter went on to state that Gatson, who was 31 at the time, had asked the female student to help him move drum equipment from the classroom to the band room. The letter also indicated the custodian reported that the lights in the band room were turned off during at least part of the time Gatson was alone with the student and that Gatson wasn’t wearing any shoes.

The October 16, 2017 letter of admonishment was issued after it was discovered that Gatson had two female students in his classroom during instructional time even though neither student was enrolled in his class for that (3rd) period of the school day. The letter stated that Gatson “had failed to maintain an employee student boundary with two students.” 

On Monday (Jan. 6), KGW8 reported that according to court documents, a former student told police she was sexually victimized by Gatson in 2013. Gatson allegedly began the sexual relationship when he assigned her detention in his classroom. The relationship continued on several occasions in 2013 both at school and at Gatson’s home. The student was 16 years old at the time.