NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities 232 Main Street. 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 . The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. 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 copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation and promise to file no claims against the district. SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. ? That forum has not yet been scheduled. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. DA won't prosecute Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining 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 . 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. 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. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. The childs parents, Eric Bennett and Ashley Rowe, did not learn the full details of the incident until reading it in the press last week. One child was recently injured while in school. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being 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. Use the form below to reset your password. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. 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. 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. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. 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Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - The Oxford Hills school board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Learn more. 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. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 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. 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. Trampled. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. 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. South Paris ME, 04281. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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 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. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. "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 said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. Already registered? "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. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Copyright 2022 WABI. 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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. 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. "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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and 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. 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. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. Heres why. We want our students and our staff safe. You will receive an email to complete the registration. We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. 27 . That is it. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns - US News This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, 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. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. 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. The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. 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Sign up and stay in the know with weekday news updates in your inbox at 1 p.m. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting superintendent, Manage your Advertiser Democrat Subscription, Manage your Livermore Falls Advertiser Subscription, Manage your Franklin Journal Subscription, Manage your Rumford Falls Times Subscription, Manage Your Rangeley Highlander Subscription, Sun Media Groups Western Maine Weekly Subscriptions, is under investigation by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, The position was eliminated and the district split the duties, Small crowd gathers in South Paris to request MSAD 17 superintendent resign, MSAD 17 board of directors puts superintendent on administrative leave, SAD 17 superintendent responds to union complaints after no-confidence vote, Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of superintendent, Police ask the public to stay off the roads as storm makes driving conditions dangerous, Civilians flee embattled town as Ukrainian pullout looms, The environmental disaster lurking inside your chocolate bar, Sen. Collins was lone Republican to oppose confirmation of Texas judge wholl rule on abortion pill, Man accused of stealing pot, starting fight at Auburn cannabis store, Auburn plans to cut two dozen positions from proposed school budget. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. 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. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. 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. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. Investigations open into Oxford Hills superintendent accused of 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. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. Create one. 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. 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. AS YOU SAID.. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. 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. 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. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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.. "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.". Monica Henson had been on leave. Already have a commenting profile? 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. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. Oxford Hills School District -- Oxford Hills School District | Aude 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. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. 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. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. 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. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. 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. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. 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. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME 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. 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. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. All this uproar from the Oxford Hills Education Association is puzzling, given that they have made no previous expression of concern to the School Board using the channels that are available to any staff, Henson wrote. 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. Boyd said his groups goal regarding grievances is to resolve them well before it gets to an official process, and has successfully avoided it in the recent past. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WMTW Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. Staff | MSAD 17 "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. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Henson responded in writing to the concerns the following day. 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 a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting 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. Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting - WABI-TV Published: Apr. "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. 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. Tumult for Agnes Gray continues as more speak out about September Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. And theres some concern about how chain of command is being portrayed in how it should be used, and then how it is being used. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter.