Staff have claimed that previously authorized time off has been revoked and that requests for leave are inconsistently approved, even when doctors notes are provided. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. Contributed. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. "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. She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. ?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. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. We want our students and our staff safe. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. "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. 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. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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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. 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. During directors comments, Bob Jewell of Paris said a vote of no confidence against an administrator hired by the board, just six months after starting, was actually a no confidence vote against the board. 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. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. 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. We want our students and our staff safe. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME - Facebook Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Large Majority of Maine Voters Oppose Secret Gender Transitions at PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. 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. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. 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. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. 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. Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation | MSAD 17 It should not be allowed at all. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. She was. Find Us . All Rights Reserved. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. If you are concerned about a child being . 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. Log in to join the discussion. She has not been in our school.. 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. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. "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. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. No other details about the incident are available. Success. "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. 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. Oxford Hills School District -- Oxford Hills School District | Aude The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. PARIS, Maine ( WMTW) 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. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. 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. And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats very concerning to us. 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. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of 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. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. 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. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. You will receive an email to complete the registration. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. 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. 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. 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. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. Id like to take a moment to clarify. 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. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. Oxford Hills Superintendent placed on paid leave pending - WABI 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. 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. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. 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. To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. Already have a commenting profile? 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. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Enter your email and password to access comments. 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 AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. 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 School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Already registered? Learn more. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. My blood is boiling. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. 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. "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. "It's a . Oxford Hills School District -- Letter from Superintendent - August 27 NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. 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. 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. Create one. Related Articles Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Trampled. AND THE OHEA HAS NEGLECTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY AND INSTEAD TRY TO HIJACK THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE WITH A COLLTIECON OF FALSEHOODS AND VAGUE EXPRESSIONS OF "CONCERN" THAT IS EASILY DISPROVABLE." Log in to join the discussion. 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.. 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.. 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.. 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Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. 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. SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. 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. A phone number could not be located for Henson, and she didn't immediately respond to electronic messages. 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. A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WMTW MSAD 17 | Home She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. That review recently came to an end. Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting - WABI-TV Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. . Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. Henson was placed on paid . The Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation was established in 1998 and has benefited from Three donations of $1,000,000 each from Robert and Sandra Bahre. We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. Heres why. 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. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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 one. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. 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 AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". DA won't prosecute Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. 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. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. Please wait for the page to reload. 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. 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. 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. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. AND AGN,O TAI OUR TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ASKED OR QUESTIONED" "I'M UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE STATE WHE ERA TEACHERS' UNION IS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN THE EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. Already registered? 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. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. To clarify, a vote of no confidence means, a vote showing the majority does not support the policies or leader of the governing body.. Tumult for Agnes Gray continues as more speak out about September People are feeling afraid. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. PARIS, Maine No confidence. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. Staff | MSAD 17 Login. 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. Boyd listed a series of situations that cannot be addressed by an official grievance. 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"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.