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. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. She's not the only one who said they're having trouble with the district and Henson. 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. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. Parents are still concerned. So far, no criminal charges have been filed. 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. 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It's 'Read Across America' week in Oxford Hills PARIS Parents, educators and community members descended on Oxford Hills School District directors meeting Tuesday night to voice serious concerns with Superintendent Monica Hensons leadership in her first six months on the job. Crime and Public Safety | "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. 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. 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. 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. "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.". During directors comments, Bob Jewell of Paris said a vote of no confidence against an administrator hired by the board, just six months after starting, was actually a no confidence vote against the board. 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.. 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. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. Oxford Hills Superintendent placed on paid leave pending - WABI Nicole Carter. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. 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. Notably, 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. "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. 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. One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. A school superintendent accused of improperly restraining a student at an elementary school last year has resigned. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The timeline calls for finalists interviews on Feb. 16 and 17 with a selection of a new superintendent set for March 4. They will also pay her $5,500 in legal fees. JORDAN SAYS SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. 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. Oxford Hills School District directors listen Monday night to Eric Bennett about his. 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. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. 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. Teachers union lists complaints against Monica Henson, six months after she started the job. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. 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. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. Crime and Public Safety | 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. CT SHE HAD BEEN ON PAID LEAVE SINCE JANUARY OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE PULLED AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT BY THE ARMS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. You will receive an email to complete the registration. One child was recently injured while in school. "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 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. Parents who spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine say they are also concerned. The second incident was witnessed by Agnes Gray educator Karin Puiia who was on the public comment list for the evening. 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. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. DHHs officials also confirm that they were at the school Tuesday conducting their own interview. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. 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 "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. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. The agreement also bars the district and Henson from talking about the situation publicly. ? She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. West Bloomfield man sentenced to 65-year prison term in Indiana Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. The Oxford Hills Teachers Union held its regular meeting on January 11 where a record number of people attended to participate in the vote. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WABI-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 have reached out to her, only one has been negative. Oxford Hills superintendent resigns amid allegations she assaulted a THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. Contributed. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. Jeni, I am going to have to stop you there, Andrews said. Learn more. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation - WMTW "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 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. South Paris ME, 04281. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. Related Articles "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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. Heres why. All rights reserved. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and PORTLAND A Maine superintendent who resigned amid multiple investigations into her conduct will get a serious payout from the Oxford Hills School District. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack 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. She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. Investigations open into Oxford Hills superintendent accused of WE WANT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SAFE. 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. Copyright 2022 WMTW. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. 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. My blood is boiling. Oxford Hills teachers cast vote of no confidence for superintendent - WCSH Jordan said that there were a number of teachers, administrators, and students who witnessed this alleged interaction. 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. Login. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association.
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