Interviews with the five candidates for superintendent of the Oxford Community Schools will be held this week at three special Board of Education meetings that are open to the public. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. 232 Main Street. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. You will receive an email to complete the registration. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. Clarke had noted in her letter that Henson forbid her from having contact with any of the students Henson had disciplined while at the school. NORWAY, Maine The superintendent of the Oxford Hills school district was accused Tuesday night of creating a culture of fear and intimidation amongst students and teachers alike in her. The same limitations were applied to parents. 27 complaints were levied against Dr. Monica Henson, including an allegation that she aggressively touched a distressed elementary school student in September, while filling in as principal, after an incident involving that student. All rights reserved. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. The reaction of the childs parents contrasts with Dr. Hensons statement last week defending herself against the list of complaints given to the board against her. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. Published: Apr. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. They also claimed that the mandatory masking standards are not consistently followed and there is little concern about transmission rates of COVID-19, which have recently spiked. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500.The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation and promise to file no claims against the district. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities Enter your email and password to access comments. NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. PARIS Directors of Maine School Administrative District 17 unanimously appointed Chief Curriculum Officer Heather Manchester as interim superintendent Monday, five days after Superintendent Monica Henson was placed on paid administrative leave. AS YOU SAID.. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. There are a number of reasons staff members chose to take a vote, including a situation where the superintendent allegedly used force against a student. Contributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Director William Rolfe of West Paris said it was his preference and in the best interest of the West Paris community to table discussion of a permanent hire until the board has a chance to review the issues at the school in executive session. Create one. The Oxford Hills School District. Already registered? 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. "It's a . Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson was put on administrative leave in January after allegations that she forcibly restrained an. . PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - Oxford Hills Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the district board of directors into a September. "That is just a statement letting the school board know that the staff who voted don't feel that the leadership of Dr. Henson is effective for our school system," Jen Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Union, said. On Monday . Log in to join the discussion. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns After just six months on the job, Superintendent Monica Henson was placed on administrative leave Jan. 26, following. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. Login. WEST PARIS, Maine An investigation into allegations against the Oxford Hills superintendent has been opened by the Oxford County Sheriffs Office and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, according to the Maine Education Association. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. OVER 90% OF TEACHERS UNION MEMBERS GAVE HER A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN A PRIVATE VOTE, THE RESULTS OF WHICH THEY BROUGHT TO THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS LAST NIGHT. Use the form below to reset your password. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. School Administrative District 17 Superintendent Monica Henson, standing at left, and school board Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris, standing at right, listen Tuesday night to a district resident asking about rules for public comments during the board meeting in Paris. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - The Oxford Hills school board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. Superintendent Henson told NEWS CENTER Maine she has received a lot of support from parents and staff during this process, and of the people who . Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns. Copyright 2022 WABI. To clarify, a vote of no confidence means, a vote showing the majority does not support the policies or leader of the governing body.. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. 27 . Monica Henson had been on leave. Heres why. REGION Educators in Oxford Hills have pulled out all the stops to pack as many books as possible into this week's annual Read Across America event. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. She termed Boyds reference at the meeting to breaking the law as categorically false and went on to write that Clarke had falsely categorized an incident in the cafeteria. That review recently came to an end. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. Superintendent Henson told NEWS CENTER Maine she has received a lot of support from parents and staff during this process, and of the people who have reached out to her, only one has been negative. Sign up and stay in the know with weekday news updates in your inbox at 1 p.m. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting superintendent, Manage your Advertiser Democrat Subscription, Manage your Livermore Falls Advertiser Subscription, Manage your Franklin Journal Subscription, Manage your Rumford Falls Times Subscription, Manage Your Rangeley Highlander Subscription, Sun Media Groups Western Maine Weekly Subscriptions, is under investigation by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, The position was eliminated and the district split the duties, Small crowd gathers in South Paris to request MSAD 17 superintendent resign, MSAD 17 board of directors puts superintendent on administrative leave, SAD 17 superintendent responds to union complaints after no-confidence vote, Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of superintendent, Police ask the public to stay off the roads as storm makes driving conditions dangerous, Civilians flee embattled town as Ukrainian pullout looms, The environmental disaster lurking inside your chocolate bar, Sen. Collins was lone Republican to oppose confirmation of Texas judge wholl rule on abortion pill, Man accused of stealing pot, starting fight at Auburn cannabis store, Auburn plans to cut two dozen positions from proposed school budget. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Other accusations include sharing inappropriate images of alcohol and weapons to district employees, doling out inconsistent discipline to staff, and creating a fearful environment for students with a bounty system rewarding students with money for turning in other students for inappropriate social media posts. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. The principal of Agnes Grey Elementary at the time, Beth Clarke, resigned in December after having been placed on administrative leave in September, and wrote a public letter outlining grievances against Henson. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. Log in to join the discussion. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation and promise to file no claims against the district. "Every time he smiles, and I see the hole in his face, I'm reminded that the oversight in this district isn't where it needs to be," said Aranka Matolcsy of her 10-year-old son. SOUTH PARIS (WGME) - The controversial superintendent of Oxford Hills schools, Monica Henson, has been put on paid administrative leave while allegations of her assaulting a child are investigated. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. All rights reserved. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. The position was eliminated and the district split the duties between a chief operating officer to oversee technology, facilities, athletics and transportation, and a chief financial officer to lead the business office. "Im unaware of any other school system in the state where a teachers union is asked to participate directly in the evaluation of the superintendent of schools," Dr. Henson wrote. 776 talking about this. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Success. Henson responded in writing to the concerns the following day. Crime and Public Safety | Crime and Public Safety | THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. WMTW News 8 received pictures of the schools code of conduct, which teachers say was given to parents to sign during the first week of school as part of the student handbook. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. That forum has not yet been scheduled. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public, Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities, Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack, West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana, Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant, Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace, Photo gallery from the Division 1 competitive cheer finals at Mt. While neither woman was allowed to refer to specific situations affecting their children during the meeting, Matolcsy had previously written on social media that she had been given two different reasons for her childs injury by different staff members and was denied a request for a third-party service provider to observe her child in his classroom environment, a practice that had been allowed in the past. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. It should not be allowed at all. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. In addition to teachers and ed techs . The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. ACCORDING TO THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT WE OBTAINED.. HENSON AGREES THAT SHE WILL COOPERATE AND MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE SHOULD ANY LEGAL CLAIM BE FILED AGAINST THE DISTRI. Dozens of people fill the Oxford Hills School District board room Tuesday night in Paris where some expressed serious concerns about Superintendent Monica Henson's leadership in her first six. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. The incident was made public Jan. 18 when the Oxford Hills Education Association presented the board with a list of 27 concerns about her leadership and announced members had taken a vote of no confidence in her. "There's a lot of fear of job termination, there's a lot of feeling like we're being watched, that somebody is just waiting for us to mess up so we can be reprimanded. In her rebuttal statement, Henson acknowledged using restraint on one child, adding there had been no injury to them and that the parent of the student made no objection in subsequent communications with her. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. Henson was filling in for the principal for a day at the time of that incident, which resulted in investigations by the Oxford County Sheriffs Department and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, as well as an internal investigation by the school department. Copyright 2022 WMTW. We want our students and our staff safe. The OHEA was invited to submit a quarterly letter to the Board outlining how they perceive things are going with the new administration, with the express purpose that the letters would be used as part of my performance evaluation by the Board. That is it. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Henson's resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. Baumgardner has led a group of Oxford Hills residents to have Chickering reinstated since he was fired as coach and implored board members and the administration to allow him to return for at least the last few games of the year. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. Credit: CBS 13/WGME. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. CT SHE HAD BEEN ON PAID LEAVE SINCE JANUARY OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE PULLED AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT BY THE ARMS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. Learn more. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. And there's some concern about how chain of command is being portrayed in how it should be used, and then how it is being used. Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Henson instituted the bounty program, hoping to address what she called a "bullying culture" in the district, especially in the middle and high schools. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. Already registered? You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack People are feeling afraid. "And the OHEA has neglected to take advantage of that opportunity and instead try to hijack the public narrative with a collection of falsehoods and vague expressions of 'concern' that is easily disprovable. Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. She said educators have expressed concern about the superintendent taking and posting pictures of students and staff on her personal social media accounts without their consent. SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". Only a dozen people spoke during the public comment session, but the meeting room at the districts headquarters on Main Street was packed with at least 50 employees and community members stuck in the hallway outside. It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . Superintendent of Schools. The superintendent of the Oxford Hills School Department is being investigated by state and county officials after allegations were made that she inappropriately physically restrained a child. Alexa Baumgardner and Tobi Worden spoke in defense of coach and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School teacher Riley Chickering, both fighting back tears at times as they spoke of their sons pain at losing their mentor with no explanation. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. And documents obtained by the Maine Wire show how the firm has coached Maine school boards on how to limit parental input when dealing with these controversial topics. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. "THE PARENT DID NOT OBJECT TO MY HANDLING OF THE INCIDENT, COMMUNICATED WITH ME FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS,ND A HAS FILED NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE BOARD OR EXPRESSED ANY FURTH ER CONCERN SINCE THE NOTIFICATION FROM ME." All rights reserved. "THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THERE'S AN ACCUSATI ON OF PHYSICAL CONTACT AND VERBAL INTIMIDATION TO STUDENTS. "As for the allegation of inappropriately touching an elementary school student in September, Dr. Henson wrote that the parent's of the student saw no issue with the way the situation was handled. Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. As for the allegation of inappropriately touching an elementary school student in September, Dr. Henson wrote that the parents of the student saw no issue with the way the situation was handled.
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