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. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. 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. 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. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. 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. So far, no criminal charges have been filed. Bangor school system continues mentor program during challenging COVID-19 school year, 3 things to know from Maine's COVID briefing: omicron infections affecting schools, hospitals & testing, Lewiston requests state waive minimum requirement for school days due to COVID challenges. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. 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. Heres why. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. 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. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. Related Articles WMTW News 8 received pictures of the schools code of conduct, which teachers say was given to parents to sign during the first week of school as part of the student handbook. Superintendent of Schools. School Resource police officers from the district were at the Tuesday Board of Directors meeting. . Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. Log in to join the discussion. All rights reserved. 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. 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. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. 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. Create one. All rights reserved. Crime and Public Safety | 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. Monica Henson had been on leave. 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. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. 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. 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. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. Please wait for the page to reload. 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. 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. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. NORWAY, Maine The superintendent of the Oxford Hills school district was accused Tuesday night of creating a culture of fear and intimidation amongst students and teachers alike in her. The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. If you are concerned about a child being . 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. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . All rights reserved. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. 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. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. No other details about the incident are available. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. CT SHE HAD BEEN ON PAID LEAVE SINCE JANUARY OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE PULLED AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT BY THE ARMS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. 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. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. 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. 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 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. Andrews told Jordan that she would be allowed to finish her statement if she spoke in broad general strokes without specific references. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. People are feeling afraid. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. 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. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. 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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. 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. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. 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. Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. She was. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. Log in to join the discussion. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. 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"And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. 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 same limitations were applied to parents. 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. Success. 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. Crime and Public Safety | West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana 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. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. Crime and Public Safety | 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 agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. 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). There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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.. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. 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. Crime and Public Safety | We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being 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. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. Already have a commenting profile? Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. Oxford Hills 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 said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. One child was recently injured while in school. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. Henson responded in writing to the concerns the following day. 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 . The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. 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. 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.. It should not be allowed at all. 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 There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Trampled. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. 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. "It's a . You can share 5 more gift articles this month. You will receive an email to complete the registration. ACCORDING TO THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT WE OBTAINED.. HENSON AGREES THAT SHE WILL COOPERATE AND MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE SHOULD ANY LEGAL CLAIM BE FILED AGAINST THE DISTRI. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. 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. 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. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Credit: CBS 13/WGME. South Paris ME, 04281. At an earlier press conference, Agnes Gray employee Brenda Parent, who had been substitute teaching on the day and witnessed the incident, said she wrote a letter to the board detailing what had happened, but it was ignored. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. 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. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. 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. 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. "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.
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