Crime and Public Safety | Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. We want our students and our staff safe. That forum has not yet been scheduled. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. Already have a commenting profile? Contributed. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. Copyright 2022 WMTW. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. 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. To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. 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. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. 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. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. 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. Henson was placed on paid . Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. 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. 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. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," 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. 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. She was. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. 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. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. 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. 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. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. 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 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. 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 Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. 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). Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. 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. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. 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. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. 232 Main Street. She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. 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. Trampled. 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. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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. I will not stand for it and I believe most of the people here will join me we will form what we need to in terms of public oversight to ensure that our children, our students and our teachers are safe, respected and given the oversight they deserve, especially those with special needs.. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. 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. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. 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. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. 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. She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. Heres why. 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. 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. 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. The timeline calls for finalists interviews on Feb. 16 and 17 with a selection of a new superintendent set for March 4. Learn more. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. (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. In addition to teachers and ed techs . I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. 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. Superintendent of Schools (207) 743-8972 h.manchester@msad17.org Steve Ciembroniewicz Assistant Superintendent (207) 743-8972 s.ciembroniewicz@msad17.org Jan Neureuther Chief Student Services Officer (207) 743-8972 j.neureuther@msad17.org Brandy Moore Special Education Assistant Director 207-743-8972 b.moore@msad17.org Debra Hertell It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. 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. 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 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. My blood is boiling. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. 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. 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. Given the number of issues that are in corrective action at Agnes Gray that I do not want to present in public session, Henson explained, I am of the firm opinion that the best course is not to go through a shuffle of going through a process and potentially ending up with another principal. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. 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. "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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". 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. Credit: CBS 13/WGME. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. 776 talking about this. 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. 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. Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. Superintendent of Schools. Log in to join the discussion. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. Andrews told Jordan that she would be allowed to finish her statement if she spoke in broad general strokes without specific references. She was placed on leave Jan. 26. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. 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. 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. 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. "It's a . And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats very concerning to us. 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. 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. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. Login. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. 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..