OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 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. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. 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. 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. She was placed on leave Jan. 26. Already have a commenting profile? Calls may be made anonymously. 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 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. 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. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. 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. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. 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 "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. 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. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. Id like to take a moment to clarify. 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. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. 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. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. 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. "It's a . 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. It should not be allowed at all. 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. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Oxford Hills Superintendent placed on paid leave pending - WABI 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. 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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. Waterbury superintendent defends use of school resource officer "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." Crime and Public Safety | Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. 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. "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. 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. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info 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. In addition to teachers and ed techs . Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. Success. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. 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." In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. South Paris ME, 04281. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Once youve said that we have to follow our grievance procedure. OVER 90% OF TEACHERS UNION MEMBERS GAVE HER A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN A PRIVATE VOTE, THE RESULTS OF WHICH THEY BROUGHT TO THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS LAST NIGHT. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . 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. 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.. All rights reserved. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. 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. It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and 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. by CBS 13 January 25, 2022. We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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. Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation | MSAD 17 Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. Copyright 2022 WMTW. Crime and Public Safety | The full list of the OHEA's complaints can be found here. 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. ?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. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. 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. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Copyright 2022 WABI. Related Articles Much of the anger was rooted in the resignation of Agnes Gray Elementary Schools longtime principal , Beth Clarke, late last year. 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. 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. 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. 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. Henson was placed on paid . The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. Large Majority of Maine Voters Oppose Secret Gender Transitions at The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. Create one. "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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Oxford Hills teachers cast vote of no confidence for superintendent - WCSH 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 platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. If you are concerned about a child being . Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. 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. 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. All rights reserved. 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 is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. 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. PARIS, Maine No confidence. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. 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. "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 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Nicole Carter. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. The timeline calls for finalists interviews on Feb. 16 and 17 with a selection of a new superintendent set for March 4. Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. 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. 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. Oxford Hills School District -- Letter from Superintendent - August 27 The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. A Department of Education spokesperson said they have not decided about whether they will revoke Hensons license or take any disciplinary action. Find Us . Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. According to the agreement WMTW obtained, Henson agrees she will cooperate and make herself available should any legal claim be filed against the district. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. 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. Crime and Public Safety | You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. 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. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. Superintendent of Schools. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. 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. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom.