Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WABI-TV 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. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. "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 board accepts superintendent's resignation Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson was put on administrative leave in January after allegations that she forcibly restrained an. Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public 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. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - The Oxford Hills school board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. 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. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. Andrews told Jordan that she would be allowed to finish her statement if she spoke in broad general strokes without specific references. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Oxford Hills school school to pay former superintendent $174K - WMTW It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. Oxford Hills School District -- Letter from Superintendent - August 27 This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. 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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. 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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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. All rights reserved. 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Oxford Hills School District -- Oxford Hills School District | Aude 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. She was. That forum has not yet been scheduled. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. Crime and Public Safety | 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. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . The crowd included employees and others who had to stand in the hallway. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. 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 Nicole Carter. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and Credit: CBS 13/WGME. 776 talking about this. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. ?27 COMPLAINTS WERE BROUGHT TO THEOA BRD LT AS NIGHT AT A MEETING, BUT THE MOST SERIOUS COMPLAINT INVOLVED AN INCIDENT AT AGNES GRAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER WHEN DR. HENSON ALLEGEDLY P UT HER HANDS ON A STUDENT AGGRESSIVELY, SOMETHING THE TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT SAYS HAS BEEN LARGELY IGNORED TO THIS POINT. Jeni, I am going to have to stop you there, Andrews said. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . Superintendent of Schools. Morgan got her local legislator and the Maine Department of education involved, and her granddaughter was allowed back in school the following week with a facemask after a note from her doctor. . So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. Tumult for Agnes Gray continues as more speak out about September The Oxford Hills School District, in partnership with parents and communities, engages and supports all students in diverse and challenging learning opportunities to prepare them to graduate as healthy, responsible and productive citizens, ready to succeed in our global societies. Create one. No other details about the incident are available. 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. "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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. 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), RFK Jr. apologizes after condemnation for Anne Frank comment, Costco could be building its 1st store in Maine, Residents in one western Maine town look to curb Poland Springs appetite for water, Theres no feeling like it: Last-second layup gives Brewer boys basketball its 1st state championship, Couples recreation business cultivates 'slice of heaven' in Maine highlands, Fine-dining restaurant in northern Maine adds bed and breakfast, 2 teenagers charged after a man in Calais was shot on a walking trail, Maine photographer snaps shots of bobcat thats blind in one eye, Nor'easter could dump a foot of snow on parts of Maine Saturday, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Jordan also claimed that students fear the superintendent and are being treated unfairly. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Waterbury superintendent defends use of school resource officer The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. 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. Boyd said his groups goal regarding grievances is to resolve them well before it gets to an official process, and has successfully avoided it in the recent past. DA won't prosecute Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. 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. All rights reserved. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Find Us . The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. 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. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. Enter your email and password to access comments. Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. "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. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. 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. "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." It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Crime and Public Safety | 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. And theres some concern about how chain of command is being portrayed in how it should be used, and then how it is being used. You will receive an email to complete the registration. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. Don't have a commenting profile? Dozens of people fill the Oxford Hills School District board room Tuesday night in Paris where some expressed serious concerns about Superintendent Monica Hensons leadership in her first six months on the job. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. She instead outlined the ways in which the school had been failing under Clarkes leadership, claiming that an assistant administrator had ranked Clarke as the worst principal in the district. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. Oxford Hills superintendent on paid leave following student assault That is it. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation 27 complaints were levied against Dr. Monica Henson, including an allegation that she aggressively touched a. 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. 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. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. 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. 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. IN RETURN FOR HER RESIATGNION AND PROMISE TO FILE NO CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT. Vicki Morgan said her 10-year-old granddaughter has an anxiety disorder and a learning disability, and her doctor advises she doesn't wear a face mask, and wear a face shield instead. 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.. AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO US. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. Create one. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. Already have a commenting profile? SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. However, when Puiia attempted to address the board she was told by Andrews that specific details could not be shared publicly at that time. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. "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. 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. She has not been in our school.. NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. 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. 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. Id like to take a moment to clarify. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. So far, no criminal charges have been filed. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. 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. Henson is accused of grabbing a student by the arm and pulling him into an office while she was filling in as principal at Agnes Gray Elementary in September. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. 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Crime and Public Safety | It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. She was placed on leave Jan. 26. Superintendent of Schools (207) 743-8972 [email protected] Steve Ciembroniewicz Assistant Superintendent (207) 743-8972 [email protected] Jan Neureuther Chief Student Services Officer (207) 743-8972 [email protected] Brandy Moore Special Education Assistant Director 207-743-8972 [email protected] Debra Hertell All Rights Reserved. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant Use the form below to reset your password. 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. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. 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.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. 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. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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.