"The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. 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 school board accepts superintendent's resignation Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson was put on administrative leave in January after allegations that she forcibly restrained an. All Rights Reserved. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 That is it. 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 . That review recently came to an end. The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. Heres why. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. 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. Create one. Addressing the situation with Chickering, Henson wrote in her statement that while she had removed a stipended coaching assignment from the teacher she had not not terminated him. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. You will receive an email to complete the registration. 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. "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. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. Find Us . She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. School Resource police officers from the district were at the Tuesday Board of Directors meeting. Enter your email and password to access comments. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. 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. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . All rights reserved. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. 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. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. 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. Copyright 2022 WABI. South Paris ME, 04281. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. 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. 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. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. She is a disabled child, and her rights have been trampled on. 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. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. 232 Main Street. Crime and Public Safety | 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. And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats very concerning to us. ? If you are concerned about a child being . . "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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. Maine DHHS confirms its investigation is also complete. 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. ?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. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. It should not be allowed at all. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . 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. 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. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. 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. 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 has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. 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. 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. 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. Learn more. She was. by CBS 13 January 25, 2022. Related Articles 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. Boyd listed a series of situations that cannot be addressed by an official grievance. Enter your email and password to access comments. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. 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. Create one. Contributed. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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. 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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. Don't have a commenting profile? 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.. 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. In her rebuttal statement, Henson acknowledged using restraint on one child, adding there had been no injury to them and that the parent of the student made no objection in subsequent communications with her. 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. 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. 27 . They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. (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. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . 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 am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. Oxford Hills School Board Temporarily Blocks Gender Schools Details: WebThe policy fight in the Oxford Hills School System is playing out in every Maine school district, as activists both on the Maine Department of Education payroll and at non-profit partner organizations oxford hills superintendent office Verified 6 days ago DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. 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. 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. "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. "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. Crime and Public Safety | Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant 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. Oxford Hills School District will be a bully-free zone, effective immediately. 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. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. We want our students and our staff safe. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. 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. 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. 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. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. She instead outlined the ways in which the school had been failing under Clarkes leadership, claiming that an assistant administrator had ranked Clarke as the worst principal in the district. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. 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. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. PARIS, Maine No confidence. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. 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. "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. Use the form below to reset your password. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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.
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