Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. 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. 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. 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. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. The same limitations were applied to parents. 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. No other details about the incident are available. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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. Crime and Public Safety | 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. 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. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. 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. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. "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. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. PARIS, Maine No confidence. 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. That is it. Login. 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.. That forum has not yet been scheduled. 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. Much of the anger was rooted in the resignation of Agnes Gray Elementary Schools longtime principal , Beth Clarke, late last year. We want our students and our staff safe. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. My blood is boiling. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. Contributed. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. Oxford Hills School Board Chair Natalie Andrews told NEWS CENTER Maine the vote was unanimous. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. 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. A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. On Monday . Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. 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. Monica Henson had been on leave. 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. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Success. Don't have a commenting profile? We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Copyright 2022 WABI. The crowd included employees and others who had to stand in the hallway. Log in to join the discussion. 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. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana 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. 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 . Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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. She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan 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. 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. "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. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. 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 situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. 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. Already registered? 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. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. It should not be allowed at all. 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. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. 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. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Heres why. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. One child was recently injured while in school. Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - The Oxford Hills school board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. So far, no criminal charges have been filed. 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. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. South Paris ME, 04281. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. 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. Maine DHHS confirms its investigation is also complete. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. 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 teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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 September, along with creating an atmosphere of intimidation and fear. 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. 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. Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 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. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Create one. 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. 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. "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. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. 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. 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." Trampled. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. Heres why. She was. Enter your email and password to access comments. The Oxford Hills School District. 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. IN RETURN FOR HER RESIATGNION AND PROMISE TO FILE NO CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities Members asked if we would allow a number of concerns during the forum regarding the leadership of Dr. Monica Henson we had an unprecedented number of staff show up for that meeting. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Create one. The full list of the OHEA's complaints can be found here. All Rights Reserved. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. by CBS 13 January 25, 2022. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. 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). JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. All rights reserved. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. 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. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. Already have a commenting profile? "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. 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. 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. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. 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. "It's a . 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. . In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. Find Us . 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Already have a commenting profile? 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. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. 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. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. 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. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. 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. Related Articles She was placed on leave Jan. 26. 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. 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. We want our students and our staff safe. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. 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. 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. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. 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. We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. 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. 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. Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. 27 . 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.
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