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. Crime and Public Safety | 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. 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. The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. 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. She is a disabled child, and her rights have been trampled on. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and 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. Copyright 2022 WABI. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns - US News "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. 776 talking about this. 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. We want our students and our staff safe. 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. On Monday . 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. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. Waterbury superintendent defends use of school resource officer With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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 School district offering $100 reward to catch cyberbullies AS YOU SAID.. 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. 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. That is it. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. Heres why. 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. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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. One child was recently injured while in school. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Boyd listed a series of situations that cannot be addressed by an official grievance. 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. DA won't prosecute Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. 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. 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. Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 Login. 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. Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant Oxford Hills School Board Chair Natalie Andrews told NEWS CENTER Maine the vote was unanimous. 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On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. The parent, Aranka Matolcsy of South Paris, made a plea to directors to listen carefully to all the statements over the course of the meeting and to take them very seriously. "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. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. Superintendent of Schools. 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.. 27 . The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. 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. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. 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. by CBS 13 January 25, 2022. 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. 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). Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. 232 Main Street. 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. 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. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. "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. Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. A Department of Education spokesperson said they have not decided about whether they will revoke Hensons license or take any disciplinary action. 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. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. 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.. And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats very concerning to us. IN RETURN FOR HER RESIATGNION AND PROMISE TO FILE NO CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT. 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. Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. 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. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. She was placed on leave Jan. 26. 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. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Monica Henson had been on leave. 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. 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. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. 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. 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 | In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. Oxford Hills School District will be a bully-free zone, effective immediately. AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO US. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. 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. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. 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. 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. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Don't have a commenting profile? 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. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })(); The list also included that employees are concerned with the superintendents use of professional time, of statements she has made to local and national media, and of inappropriate tone and intimidating language expressed in emails to employees. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. 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. 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. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. "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.". Please subscribe or login first for digital access. 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. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. 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. No other details about the incident are available. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of Copyright 2022 WMTW. 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. Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. 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Update: Maine DHHS, Oxford County Sheriff investigating MSAD 17 To get one, go to the subscriptions page. 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 . Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. 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. Credit: CBS 13/WGME. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. 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. Oxford Hills School District agrees to pay $174K to resigning Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WABI-TV If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. Director William Rolfe of West Paris said it was his preference and in the best interest of the West Paris community to table discussion of a permanent hire until the board has a chance to review the issues at the school in executive session.