One child was recently injured while in school. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. Crime and Public Safety | I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. Pleasant's McGuirk Arena, Michigan State Police: Man dies by suicide after several-hour standoff with police, Residents object to proposed I-75 ramp removal, Rochester ekes out narrow win over Adams, Stoney Creek to claim first cheer title since 2017, Storm could bring 6-10 inches of heavy snow, Judge: Oxford school employees shielded from lawsuit alleging negligence ahead of deadly mass shooting, Not again. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Firefighters used ladders to rescue at least five people from a burning Indianapolis apartment building where others reportedly jumped from third-floor windows to escape the smoke and flames, A mistrial was declared after a jury in southern Arizona was unable to reach a verdict on a murder charge against a man accused of killing a 6-year-old girl, A now-shuttered Wisconsin substance abuse center and its CEO owe the government more than $2 million in a Medicaid fraud case. That's what the union representing teachers in the Oxford Hills School District said about Superintendent Monica Henson when they put it to a vote. The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. School Resource police officers from the district were at the Tuesday Board of Directors meeting. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. He extended his stay following the Nov. 30 shooting at Oxford High School to give the Board more time to deal with the selection process after working to get Oxford High School reopened. Vicki Morgan, grandmother and guardian of the second child, had addressed the board at a meeting several months ago and spoke again Tuesday night to reiterate that her childs rights were being violated daily. 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 first year on the job. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. I will not stand for it and I believe most of the people here will join me we will form what we need to in terms of public oversight to ensure that our children, our students and our teachers are safe, respected and given the oversight they deserve, especially those with special needs.. The parent did not object to my handling of the incident, communicated with me for the next couple of days, and has filed no complaints with the Board or expressed any further concern since the notification from me, Dr. Henson wrote. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. Multiple People Rescued From Burning Indianapolis Building, Mistrial Declared in Tucson for Man Charged in Girl's Death, Wisconsin Substance Center Owes $2m in Medicaid Fraud Case. Jeni Jordan, an Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School teacher and president of the Oxford Hills Education Association, presented the board with a list of 27 complaints compiled by educators over the Hensons conduct. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. NORWAY, Maine (WMTW) -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 first year on the job. All this uproar from the Oxford Hills Education Association is puzzling, given that they have made no previous expression of concern to the School Board using the channels that are available to any staff, Henson wrote. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that.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. "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. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. ? Oxford Hills School Board Temporarily Blocks Gender Schools Details: WebThe policy fight in the Oxford Hills School System is playing out in every Maine school district, as activists both on the Maine Department of Education payroll and at non-profit partner organizations oxford hills superintendent office Verified 6 days ago 232 Main Street. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Learn more. Don't have a commenting profile? Related Articles Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. 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. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. If someone uses fear and intimidation, if someone leaves outside of the bargaining agreement during the school year because of fear and anxiety, you dont file a grievance. In her resignation letter, Henson wrote I am proud of the changes I was able to implement and the management changes I made., Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Addressing the situation with Chickering, Henson wrote in her statement that while she had removed a stipended coaching assignment from the teacher she had not not terminated him. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 200,000 lose power as snowstorm blankets Detroit region, Catholic priest Joseph 'Father Jack' Baker sentenced for child rape, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The students parents learned the full details of the incident after the Jan. 18 school board meeting and filed a complaint against Henson with the Sheriffs Office on Jan. 21. Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Given the number of issues that are in corrective action at Agnes Gray that I do not want to present in public session, Henson explained, I am of the firm opinion that the best course is not to go through a shuffle of going through a process and potentially ending up with another principal. "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. . His motion was seconded and approved by the board. Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. We want our students and our staff safe. I told the board that they should be ashamed of themselves that they had this reported by three different people, and they pushed it under the rug until the media got involved.. Use the form below to reset your password. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack 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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. "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. Id like to take a moment to clarify. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. "THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THERE'S AN ACCUSATI ON OF PHYSICAL CONTACT AND VERBAL INTIMIDATION TO STUDENTS. Example video title will go here for this video. Credit: CBS 13/WGME. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO US. The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. 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. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Contributed. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. 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. A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. On Tuesday, Feb. 1, interviews are set with Jill Lemond, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Oxford Community Schools; and David Pass, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Oxford Community Schools. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. It has come to our attention that there is perception that because no grievances have been filed there is no validity to complaints, Boyd said. "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.". The childs parents, Eric Bennett and Ashley Rowe, did not learn the full details of the incident until reading it in the press last week. 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. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. 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. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. PARIS, Maine No confidence. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. That review recently came to an end. A phone number could not be located for Henson, and she didn't immediately respond to electronic messages. Please wait for the page to reload. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. Monica Henson, the former Oxford Hills School District superintendent, was filling in as principal at Agnes Gray Elementary and is accused of grabbing a student by the arm and pulling him into an . 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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 Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Crime and Public Safety | Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, Two women missing from Topsham area found safe in East Hancock, Weekend snowfall means business at Hermon Mountain Ski Area, Authorities searching for missing Greene man, Last round of snow moves in for today, sunshine returns on Sunday. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. That forum has not yet been scheduled. Success. Parents are still concerned. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. Heres why. The parent, Aranka Matolcsy of South Paris, made a plea to directors to listen carefully to all the statements over the course of the meeting and to take them very seriously. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. Already registered? 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. "In a statement where she forcefully denied the accusations against her, Dr. Henson asked why the teachers had not gone to the board before Tuesday. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat file photo, We knew we had to put someone in front of the staff who was comfortable and had a running knowledge of our district, Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris said after the afternoon emergency board meeting. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. 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. 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. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. Already have a commenting profile? The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday.Oxford Hills Education Association president Jen Jordan told WMTW News 8 that the complaints stemmed from a private vote amongst the association's members where 95% of the members said they have no confidence in Dr. Henson's leadership. One parent told the Advertiser Democrat that Clarke resigned after taking concerns to the board about a day when Henson acted as the substitute principal at the school when she had a medical appointment. PARIS Parents, educators and community members descended on Oxford Hills School District directors meeting Tuesday night to voice serious concerns with Superintendent Monica Hensons leadership in her first six months on the job. 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. Find Us . My blood is boiling. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - The Oxford Hills school board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. Learn more. 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. Oxford Hills Education Association president Jen Jordan told WMTW News 8 that the complaints stemmed from a private vote amongst the associations members where 95% of the members said they have no confidence in Dr. Hensons leadership. Success. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Superintendent of Schools (207) 743-8972 h.manchester@msad17.org Steve Ciembroniewicz Assistant Superintendent (207) 743-8972 s.ciembroniewicz@msad17.org Jan Neureuther Chief Student Services Officer (207) 743-8972 j.neureuther@msad17.org Brandy Moore Special Education Assistant Director 207-743-8972 b.moore@msad17.org Debra Hertell For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Jeni, I am going to have to stop you there, Andrews said. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. 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. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. 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. Some directors questioned why appointing Bickford permanently should stray from the normal process of posting the position and convening a panel to interview candidates before hiring others. Already have a commenting profile? "The parent did not object to my handling of the incident, communicated with me for the next couple of days, and has filed no complaints with the Board or expressed any further concern since the notification from me," Dr. Henson wrote.The full list of the OHEA's complaints can be found here. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. On Monday, Jan. 31, interviews will be with John Bernia, Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools; and Ken Weaver, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Oxford Community Schools. According to the Maine Department of Education,face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. In the Damariscotta and Oxford Hills school systems, Drummond Woodsum has worked with left-wing school board members to write and defend the districts' gender identity policies. South Paris ME, 04281. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. It should not be allowed at all. "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. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. Oxford Hills School District will be a bully-free zone, effective immediately. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. 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. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Log in to join the discussion. We want our students and our staff safe. 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.. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. Henson, who was hired in July 2021, is under investigation by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Oxford County Sheriffs Office after allegations that she improperly physically restrained a child at Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris last September. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. Theres a lot of fear of job termination, theres a lot of feeling like were being watched, that somebody is just waiting for us to mess up so we can be reprimanded. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. 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. 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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Parents of Oxford Hills Middle School students on the basketball team also addressed the board about their coachs dismissal last year over an incident involving players from a visiting team. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. People are feeling afraid. Please wait for the page to reload. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district.Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. 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. Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. Trampled. Superintendent of Schools. The Evergreen State takes the top spot again in the U.S. News Best States ranking on the strength of its tech sector and other industries. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting superintendent The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave.. 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. Enter your email and password to access comments. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. 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 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. 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. She was. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities
