The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. "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. 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. 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. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns - US News The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. 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. Already have a commenting profile? 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. You will receive an email to complete the registration. The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. 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. 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. It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. 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 teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. Copyright 2022 WMTW. To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. It should not be allowed at all. 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. 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. 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 SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation | MSAD 17 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. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Create one. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. Learn more. 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. MSAD 17 | Home 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. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. 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. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. The students parents learned the full details of the incident after the Jan. 18 school board meeting and filed a complaint against Henson with the Sheriffs Office on Jan. 21. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. Related Articles When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Update: Maine DHHS, Oxford County Sheriff investigating MSAD 17 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. "It's a . 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. 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. 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. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats very concerning to us. The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. "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. 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.. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns. No other details about the incident are available. Don't have a commenting profile? 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. The Oxford Hills School Board voted on Monday evening to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson, officials say. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. 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. DA won't prosecute Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining 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. "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.". She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. On Monday, Jan. 31, interviews will be with John Bernia, Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools; and Ken Weaver, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Oxford Community Schools. 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. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. 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. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation 27 complaints were levied against Dr. Monica Henson, including an allegation that she aggressively touched a. PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. Theres a lot of fear of job termination, theres a lot of feeling like were being watched, that somebody is just waiting for us to mess up so we can be reprimanded. "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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. Boyd listed a series of situations that cannot be addressed by an official grievance. 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. School Resource police officers from the district were at the Tuesday Board of Directors meeting. Please wait for the page to reload. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. She has not been in our school.. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. 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. Investigations open into Oxford Hills superintendent accused of Success. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . Oxford Hills school school to pay former superintendent $174K - WMTW HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE DISTRICT WILL PAY HENSON 1- HUNDRED - 74 THOUSAND AND 500 DOLLARSN I EXCHANGE FOR THAT. Login. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . 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. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. The same limitations were applied to parents. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO US. 776 talking about this. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. 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. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. 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. One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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 Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting - WABI-TV Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. 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. Heres why. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. Enter your email and password to access comments. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. "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. 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. 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. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. 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. Success. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. 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. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. Log in to join the discussion. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. 200,000 lose power as snowstorm blankets Detroit region, Catholic priest Joseph 'Father Jack' Baker sentenced for child rape, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Crime and Public Safety | Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of You will receive an email to complete the registration. 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. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of 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, Superintendent Monica Henson responds to SAD 17 complaints, Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns, SAD 17 superintendent responds to union complaints after no-confidence vote, Forty years in, Paris Cape Historical Society keeps collecting history, More than 50,000 acres in Maine to be conserved, 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.
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