Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. If you are concerned about a child being . The Oxford Hills School District. Large Majority of Maine Voters Oppose Secret Gender Transitions at 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 official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. Much of the anger was rooted in the resignation of Agnes Gray Elementary Schools longtime principal , Beth Clarke, late last year. Henson said that Clarke had allowed outstanding bullying incidents to go unchecked, a claim also pushed back on by Arntsen. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and 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. 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. 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. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of Login. 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. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. I am raising my granddaughter, who has an IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Already registered? "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.". Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Heather Manchester, chief curriculum officer for the Oxford Hills School District in Paris, addresses the board of directors in July 2020. 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. 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. 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. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana 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. 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. THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE DISTRICT WILL PAY HENSON 1- HUNDRED - 74 THOUSAND AND 500 DOLLARSN I EXCHANGE FOR THAT. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. Find Us . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. 5, 2022 at 3:20 AM PDT. All Rights Reserved. However, when Puiia attempted to address the board she was told by Andrews that specific details could not be shared publicly at that time. 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. 27 . Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. 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 am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. 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. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. We want our students and our staff safe. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. That they would say that shes the lowest ranking when her staff are behind her 100% and always has been.. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. The incident was made public Jan. 18 when the Oxford Hills Education Association presented the board with a list of 27 concerns about her leadership and announced members had taken a vote of no confidence in her. 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. His motion was seconded and approved by the board. All rights reserved. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Related Articles Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. 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. That is it. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting 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. South Paris ME, 04281. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. Copyright 2022 WABI. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. On Monday . 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. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. 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. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. Don't have a commenting profile? Oxford Hills School Board Chair Natalie Andrews told NEWS CENTER Maine the vote was unanimous. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 Heres why. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. "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. 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 biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. "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. 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. 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 AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. 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. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat. Success. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Andrews said the executive session would be on the next meetings agenda. DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. "It's a . Tumult for Agnes Gray continues as more speak out about September Id like to take a moment to clarify. ? 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. 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. MSAD 17 | Home We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WABI-TV 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. (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. WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WMTW 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. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Success. "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. SOUTH PARIS (WGME) - The controversial superintendent of Oxford Hills schools, Monica Henson, has been put on paid administrative leave while allegations of her assaulting a child are investigated.
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