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. On Monday . Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. Alexa Baumgardner and Tobi Worden spoke in defense of coach and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School teacher Riley Chickering, both fighting back tears at times as they spoke of their sons pain at losing their mentor with no explanation. Oxford Hills School District will be a bully-free zone, effective immediately. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. Crime and Public Safety | 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. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. 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. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 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.. 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. "There's a lot of fear," Jordan said. Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. Please wait for the page to reload. Much of the anger was rooted in the resignation of Agnes Gray Elementary Schools longtime principal , Beth Clarke, late last year. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Oxford Hills School Board accepts superintendent's resignation She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. Create one. 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. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. Dr. Monica Henson forcefully denied all 27 complaints levied against her at a district board meeting. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. Copyright 2022 WABI. 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. However, when Puiia attempted to address the board she was told by Andrews that specific details could not be shared publicly at that time. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. Monica Henson had been on leave. Henson had been on paid leave since January over allegations she pulled an elementary student by their arms in September. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Trampled. Weekly news from Oxford County and the Norway region, delivered every Thursday at 5 a.m. Already registered? Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. She has not been in our school.. Oxford Hills Superintendent Monica Hensons resignation was unanimously accepted Monday night after School Administrative District 17s directors gave her a unanimous no confidence vote. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Related Articles To get one, go to the subscriptions page. I am beyond frustrated and so overwhelmed that they would even make that claim against her, said Grey teacher Rebekah Arntsen. Tumult for Agnes Gray continues as more speak out about September Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. "THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THERE'S AN ACCUSATI ON OF PHYSICAL CONTACT AND VERBAL INTIMIDATION TO STUDENTS. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. 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. . To date, no letters have been received during either the first or second quarter.. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. The full list of the OHEAs complaints can be foundhere. Already have a commenting profile? When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. ?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. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. Heres why. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills We want our students and our staff safe. 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. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. 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 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. On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. In addition to teachers and ed techs . 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. Oxford school superintendent interviews this week open to public The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities Heres why. In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. 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.. We have had no issues with bullying, Arntsen said. I am extremely angry, Rowe told WMTW News 8. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . Contributed. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. Crime and Public Safety | 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. 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 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 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 Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. 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. A Department of Education spokesperson said they have not decided about whether they will revoke Hensons license or take any disciplinary action. To clarify, a vote of no confidence means, a vote showing the majority does not support the policies or leader of the governing body.. 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 provided a lengthy written statement early Wednesday to the Advertiser Democrat, noting that a no-confidence vote is a sign that an administrator is doing the work they were hired to do. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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. For themselves, for their jobs and for retaliation against students in the schools. You will receive an email to complete the registration. 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. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat file photo, We knew we had to put someone in front of the staff who was comfortable and had a running knowledge of our district, Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris said after the afternoon emergency board meeting. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. Tentatively board action to hire the new superintendent will happen March 14, with March 28 tentatively set for the first day of work. Copyright 2022 WMTW. 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. Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. 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 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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 . 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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. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. 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. Oxford Hills School District 232 Main Street South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: 207-743-8972 Fax: (207) 743-2878 (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. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Andrews told Jordan that she would be allowed to finish her statement if she spoke in broad general strokes without specific references. And as far as were aware, theres been no investigation on that, and thats 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. 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. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. 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. That is it. Her statements received pushback from current Grey faculty. 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 . I recommend that we make Cathy the permanent principal. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE DISTRICT WILL PAY HENSON 1- HUNDRED - 74 THOUSAND AND 500 DOLLARSN I EXCHANGE FOR THAT. 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.