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. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns 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. Jordan read through the list of concerns, starting with allegations that the superintendent put her hands on a student while filling in at an elementary school, that staff have felt they are under investigation, that personal information has been shared by the superintendent and that discipline of staff has been inconsistent and often unfair. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. "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. 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. 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All rights reserved. Henson provided a lengthy written statement early Wednesday to the Advertiser Democrat, noting that a no-confidence vote is a sign that an administrator is doing the work they were hired to do. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. 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. 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. 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. 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. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. 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. Parents are still concerned. MSAD 17 | Home In addition to teachers and ed techs . Portland bus stop wins national competition after contested votes thrown out, Easter Egg Roll returns after 2-year COVID-induced hiatus, 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. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. The position of assistant superintendent was eliminated when Patrick Hartnett left in October2021 to become an assistant professor at the University of Southern Maines School of Education and Human Development. Crime and Public Safety | 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. 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.. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. "It's a . PARIS, Maine No confidence. 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. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. 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. Please wait for the page to reload. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. 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. Oxford Hills School District -- Oxford Hills School District | Aude She was. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Already have a commenting profile? Oxford Hills School Board Chair Natalie Andrews told NEWS CENTER Maine the vote was unanimous. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. Oxford Hills superintendent on paid leave following student assault Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. Login. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. 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. South Paris ME, 04281. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Already registered? To get one, go to the subscriptions page. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. If you are concerned about a child being neglected or abused, call Maines 24-hour hotline at 800-452-1999 or 711 to speak with a child protective specialist. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. 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. Calls may be made anonymously. 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. 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. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. 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. 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. We want our students and our staff safe. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WABI-TV Success. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. 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. "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." Monica Henson had been on leave. CT SHE HAD BEEN ON PAID LEAVE SINCE JANUARY OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE PULLED AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT BY THE ARMS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WMTW Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. If you are concerned about a child being . 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. 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 Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. Waterbury superintendent defends use of school resource officer Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. 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.. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. . The timeline calls for finalists interviews on Feb. 16 and 17 with a selection of a new superintendent set for March 4. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. First-year Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Henson received criticism at a school board meeting Monday night for allegedly grabbing an elementary student by two arms in September, along with . . 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. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. Oxford Hills Superintendent placed on paid leave pending - WABI Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting, Monica Henson is accused of forcefully grabbing an elementary school student by both arms in September, 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. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. On Monday . 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. Login. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Create one. Use the form below to reset your password. Staff have claimed that previously authorized time off has been revoked and that requests for leave are inconsistently approved, even when doctors notes are provided. All Rights Reserved. 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. THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE DISTRICT WILL PAY HENSON 1- HUNDRED - 74 THOUSAND AND 500 DOLLARSN I EXCHANGE FOR THAT. West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. Notably, 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME - Facebook We want our students and our staff safe. Trampled. 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. 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. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. Create one. "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. 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. 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. Already have a commenting profile? DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. 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. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. Jordan also claimed that students fear the superintendent and are being treated unfairly. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Update: Maine DHHS, Oxford County Sheriff investigating MSAD 17 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 "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. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 232 Main Street. WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. Please wait for the page to reload. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. 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. 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). Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name.