SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- A principal of a Snohomish County high school was fired following accusations that he had sex with a student, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The announcement was made Thursday night inside the Highland Christian School auditorium, the school where Mark Brown had been principal until the 37-year-old was charged with rape last week.

Snohomish County prosecutors said Brown sexually assaulted a 14-year-old female student inside a hidden room at the school after authorities said he encouraged her to run away from home.

School board attorney Brett Nagle made the announcement that Brown was no longer employed at the high school at a meeting held so that parents, students and faculty could voice their concerns.

Officials said the school board will hire an outside consulting firm to work on finding a new principal by September.

KIRO attempted to speak to Brown, but his attorney did not return the calls.