People are feeling afraid. "THE PARENT DID NOT OBJECT TO MY HANDLING OF THE INCIDENT, COMMUNICATED WITH ME FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS,ND A HAS FILED NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE BOARD OR EXPRESSED ANY FURTH ER CONCERN SINCE THE NOTIFICATION FROM ME." Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. 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. "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. Crime and Public Safety | She was placed on leave Jan. 26. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. A phone number could not be located for Henson, and she didn't immediately respond to electronic messages. Calls may be made anonymously. 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. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 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. 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. My blood is boiling. THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. Create one. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. 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. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. ? Crime and Public Safety | Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. 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 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. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. 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. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting 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. Jeni, I am going to have to stop you there, Andrews said. Learn more. Use the form below to reset your password. Nicole Carter. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME - Facebook Oxford Hills School District agrees to pay $174K to resigning Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. 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. 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. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. 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. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. 232 Main Street. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. 776 talking about this. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. IN RETURN FOR HER RESIATGNION AND PROMISE TO FILE NO CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district.Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. 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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns Please subscribe or login first for digital access. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. We want our students and our staff safe. Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. 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 creating culture of fear and On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. 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. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. "It's a . Success. The Oxford Hills School Board voted on Monday evening to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson, officials say. 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. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. 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. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. Already registered? Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Maine school to pay former superintendent $174K, according to resignation agreement, CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THE CONDITIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. No other details about the incident are available. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Investigations open into Oxford Hills superintendent accused of Find Us . "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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. AS YOU SAID.. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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. 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. "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. Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. And documents obtained by the Maine Wire show how the firm has coached Maine school boards on how to limit parental input when dealing with these controversial topics. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. 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. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. 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In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns - US News Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 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. SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. 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. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. Crime and Public Safety | Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. 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. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack Update: Maine DHHS, Oxford County Sheriff investigating MSAD 17 Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Large Majority of Maine Voters Oppose Secret Gender Transitions at 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. 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. 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. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. Enter your email and password to access comments. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. 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. "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. 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. 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. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. 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 Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities Crime and Public Safety | Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public, Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities, Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack, West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana, Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant, Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace, Photo gallery from the Division 1 competitive cheer finals at Mt. 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. 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.. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. 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. Crime and Public Safety | While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Oxford Hills School District -- Letter from Superintendent - August 27 One child was recently injured while in school. 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. 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. 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. 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. CT SHE HAD BEEN ON PAID LEAVE SINCE JANUARY OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE PULLED AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT BY THE ARMS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. Parents are still concerned. Maine DHHS confirms its investigation is also complete. 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. He extended his stay following the Nov. 30 shooting at Oxford High School to give the Board more time to deal with the selection process after working to get Oxford High School reopened. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been..