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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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Don't have a commenting profile? 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 childs parents, Eric Bennett and Ashley Rowe, did not learn the full details of the incident until reading it in the press last week. PARIS, Maine (WMTW) - Oxford Hills Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the district board of directors into a September. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. 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Crime and Public Safety | 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. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. Henson responded in writing to the concerns the following day. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. Log in to join the discussion. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. All Rights Reserved. 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. Oxford Hills School District MSAD #17 | Paris ME Find Us . Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities 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. Copyright 2022 WABI. Only a dozen people spoke during the public comment session, but the meeting room at the districts headquarters on Main Street was packed with at least 50 employees and community members stuck in the hallway outside. The crowd included employees and others who had to stand in the hallway. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. . Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. 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. A Department of Education spokesperson said they have not decided about whether they will revoke Hensons license or take any disciplinary action. Example video title will go here for this video. Id like to take a moment to clarify. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. Maine DHHS confirms its investigation is also complete. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. 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. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. 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. Henson said at the time she used a limited restraint technique for a disruptive student. 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. Contributed. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 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. 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. Login. One child was recently injured while in school. Already registered? 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. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. 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. All rights reserved. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace "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. 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. Please wait for the page to reload. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. Success. "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 superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. "It's a . 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. 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. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. 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. She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. It should not be allowed at all. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. 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Crime and Public Safety | 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. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . 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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and intimidation, FROM OXFORD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE STORY. Heres why. 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. SHE WENT ON TO FORCEFULLY DENY EVERY ONE OF THE 27 COMPLAINTS GIVEN LT AS NIGHT. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. If someone breaks the law, you dont file a grievance.. 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. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . Calls may be made anonymously. That forum has not yet been scheduled. We want our students and our staff safe. "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." The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Much of the anger was rooted in the resignation of Agnes Gray Elementary Schools longtime principal , Beth Clarke, late last year. Already have a commenting profile? 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. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. Monica Henson, the former Oxford Hills School District superintendent, was filling in as principal at Agnes Gray Elementary and is accused of grabbing a student by the arm and pulling him into an . 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." "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Waterbury Superintendent Verna Ruffin. Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. All rights reserved. Use the form below to reset your password. Login. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Learn more. 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. 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. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. OXFORD, Maine (AP) A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. The situation occurred Sept. 7 and involved a food fight between students at lunch and an incident with a distressed student. Copyright 2022 WMTW. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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.