Use the form below to reset your password. 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. Success. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. Oxford Hills School Board accepts superintendent's resignation Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . 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. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early 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. In addition to teachers and ed techs . Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace 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 Crime and Public Safety | 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. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. 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.. 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. 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. 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. 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. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. Please wait for the page to reload. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Related Articles 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. 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 . 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. Nicole Carter. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. Investigations open into Oxford Hills superintendent accused of 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. 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. However, when Puiia attempted to address the board she was told by Andrews that specific details could not be shared publicly at that time. 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. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. Success. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Jordan also claimed that students fear the superintendent and are being treated unfairly. 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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. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . We want our students and our staff safe. Find Us . While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. 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. Don't have a commenting profile? "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. Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. Already registered? 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. Maine DHHS confirms its investigation is also complete. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Oxford Hills School District agrees to pay $174K to resigning It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. AS YOU SAID.. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. 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. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. School Resource police officers from the district were at the Tuesday Board of Directors meeting. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. Learn more. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns Published: Apr. "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. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. 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 teachers cast vote of no confidence for superintendent - WCSH She is a disabled child, and her rights have been trampled on. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Oxford Hills superintendent on paid leave following student assault They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. My blood is boiling. Copyright 2022 WABI. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. 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The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. It stated that Henson had put hands on two children while overseeing the school on Sept. 7. 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. THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. 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. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. 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. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info 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. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. by CBS 13 January 25, 2022. Enter your email and password to access comments. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. ? 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. School district offering $100 reward to catch cyberbullies One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. Oxford Hills superintendent resigns amid allegations she assaulted a So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. The Oxford Hills School Board voted on Monday evening to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson, officials say. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. 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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.. 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. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. All Rights Reserved. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills That forum has not yet been scheduled. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. AND THE OHEA HAS NEGLECTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY AND INSTEAD TRY TO HIJACK THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE WITH A COLLTIECON OF FALSEHOODS AND VAGUE EXPRESSIONS OF "CONCERN" THAT IS EASILY DISPROVABLE." Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. We want our students and our staff safe. 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. Some directors questioned why appointing Bickford permanently should stray from the normal process of posting the position and convening a panel to interview candidates before hiring others. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. 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. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. Log in to join the discussion. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. 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 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. 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. 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. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. 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 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. Id like to take a moment to clarify. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Jeni, I am going to have to stop you there, Andrews said. 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. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. She has not been in our school.. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School.