"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.". 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Monica Henson had been on leave. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. She was placed on administrative leave in January after being accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. Enter your email and password to access comments. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. She has not been in our school.. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. "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. We want our students and our staff safe. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. Oxford Hills Education Association Concerns by sunjournal on Scribd. Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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.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. 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. Andrews said the decision was reached after consulting with the districts attorney and Steve Bailey, head of the Maine School Board Association. For more information, visit maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/reporting_abuse. 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. 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. Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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. 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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. 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 If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. The alleged incident happened Sept. 9 at Agnes Grey Elementary School, where Henson was filling in as principal for the day. Don't have a commenting profile? Heres why. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. Empowered by their unions stance, Agnes Gray staff who witnessed the incident in September separately filed a report with DHHS on Jan. 20. The principal of Agnes Grey Elementary at the time, Beth Clarke, resigned in December after having been placed on administrative leave in September, and wrote a public letter outlining grievances against Henson. Oxford Hills school board accepts superintendent's resignation Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson was put on administrative leave in January after allegations that she forcibly restrained an. Crime and Public Safety | "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. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RESIGNATION AGREEMENT RIGHT HERE.. Success. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. 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. 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. 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. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.". 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. 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. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. And theres some concern about how chain of command is being portrayed in how it should be used, and then how it is being used. It should not be allowed at all. 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. 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. 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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. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. ? Superintendent Dr. Monica Henson has been accused of assaulting a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School. 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Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace 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. 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. Henson was placed on paid . The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. 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. 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. In her rebuttal statement, Henson acknowledged using restraint on one child, adding there had been no injury to them and that the parent of the student made no objection in subsequent communications with her. They said they are happy the school board is listening and will be holding an open forum to share more of their concerns. face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. 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. Already have a commenting profile? Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. 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. While her granddaughter is back in the classroom, she and other parents are frustrated. Dr. Hensons full rebuttal statement can be foundhere. 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. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. 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. 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. In addition to teachers and ed techs . She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. PARIS, Maine No confidence. 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. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. Id like to take a moment to clarify. 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.