There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. 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. Matolcsy said her son, who has Down syndrome, lost a tooth during an incident in his classroom. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday. 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. All this uproar from the Oxford Hills Education Association is puzzling, given that they have made no previous expression of concern to the School Board using the channels that are available to any staff, Henson wrote. That forum has not yet been scheduled. . In all of my years here I have never seen the culture of the district soured in just six months. 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. Some directors questioned why appointing Bickford permanently should stray from the normal process of posting the position and convening a panel to interview candidates before hiring others. There are concerns about COVID and how thats being handled. She has not been in our school.. Oxford Hills also agreed to pay $5,500 for her lawyer fees. It has come to our attention that there is perception that because no grievances have been filed there is no validity to complaints, Boyd said. HARTFORD - Waterbury schools Superintendent Verna Ruffin defended having school resource officers in city schools before state legislators . 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. Success. She has a running knowledge of everything that is going on within the district right now.. 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. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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. Included on Tuesdays agenda was a request for the board to approve Hensons selection of Cathy Bickford as permanent principal of Agnes Gray. He extended his stay following the Nov. 30 shooting at Oxford High School to give the Board more time to deal with the selection process after working to get Oxford High School reopened. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. 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. "Being denied access to his classroom is against every recommendation of every advocacy organization and institution," Matolcsy added. Hebron Station School Principal Donald Thorne was chosen for the former and accountant Carrie Colley for the latter. Monica Henson is accused of grabbing a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School last September. THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE DISTRICT WILL PAY HENSON 1- HUNDRED - 74 THOUSAND AND 500 DOLLARSN I EXCHANGE FOR THAT. OHEA would like to report that there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson. "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. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. Dr. Henson's full rebuttal statement can be found here. She said she asked for observing rights for her and her son's clinician, which was allowed by the previous superintendent. She said the union overwhelmingly passed a vote no confidence for Superintendent Monica Henson on Jan. 11. 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. She termed Boyds reference at the meeting to breaking the law as categorically false and went on to write that Clarke had falsely categorized an incident in the cafeteria. Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. On Monday . The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. On Monday, they unanimously appointed her acting superintendent. REGION Educators in Oxford Hills have pulled out all the stops to pack as many books as possible into this week's annual Read Across America event. Sign up and stay in the know with weekday news updates in your inbox at 1 p.m. Oxford Hills school board names Heather Manchester as acting superintendent, Manage your Advertiser Democrat Subscription, Manage your Livermore Falls Advertiser Subscription, Manage your Franklin Journal Subscription, Manage your Rumford Falls Times Subscription, Manage Your Rangeley Highlander Subscription, Sun Media Groups Western Maine Weekly Subscriptions, is under investigation by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, The position was eliminated and the district split the duties, Small crowd gathers in South Paris to request MSAD 17 superintendent resign, MSAD 17 board of directors puts superintendent on administrative leave, SAD 17 superintendent responds to union complaints after no-confidence vote, Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of superintendent, Police ask the public to stay off the roads as storm makes driving conditions dangerous, Civilians flee embattled town as Ukrainian pullout looms, The environmental disaster lurking inside your chocolate bar, Sen. 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. We want our students and our staff safe. The police presence was allegedly requested by fearful staff and parents. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. 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. Enter your email and password to access comments. The students parents learned the full details of the incident after the Jan. 18 school board meeting and filed a complaint against Henson with the Sheriffs Office on Jan. 21. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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.. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. AND AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION ON THAT. Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. THE AGREEMENT WAS PRESENTED TO HENSON.. D AN SHE RESIGNED THIS PAST MONDAY. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 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. Don't have a commenting profile? She was possibly referencing Clarkes letter of resignation Dec. 23, which the Advertiser Democrat has published online. 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. Hazel Park man ordered to trial in boxcutter attack It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant Copyright 2022 WABI. The Oxford Hills School District. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. The agreement was presented to Henson and she resigned on Monday. "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.". On Jan. 19, directors instructed district Chief Child Services Officer Jan Neureuther to report the incident to DHHS. Log in to join the discussion. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 232 Main Street. 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. Detroit firefighter charged with dealing drugs in several area cities She is alleged to have attempted to pull the student into her office after an incident in the school cafeteria. Crime and Public Safety | Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris interrupted Jordan. Police: Alleged iPhone thief admits to similar crimes from people advertising on Facebook Marketplace To clarify, a vote of no confidence means, a vote showing the majority does not support the policies or leader of the governing body.. I will not stand for it and I believe most of the people here will join me we will form what we need to in terms of public oversight to ensure that our children, our students and our teachers are safe, respected and given the oversight they deserve, especially those with special needs.. Letter from Superintendent - August 27, 2021 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. And for her to be making those accusations, she has stepped one day in our school one day. The official Facebook Page of the fifth-largest school district in Maine. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. 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. Heres why. The superintendent of Oxford Hills schools has resigned amid allegations that she assaulted a student last year. Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. 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. NO CONFIDENCE | thats what the teachers union in MSAD 17 says about its superintendent #NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/uzLRdRSuHS. South Paris ME, 04281. One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. "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. Learn more. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. According to the Maine Department of Education,face shields may be an alternative for those students with documented medical or behavioral challenges who are unable to wear masks. 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. You will receive an email to complete the registration. And there's some concern about how chain of command is being portrayed in how it should be used, and then how it is being used. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. 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. We had multiple eyewitnesses to the incident, and again, to our knowledge, none of them have been asked or questioned about about that. Already have a commenting profile? 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. All rights reserved. She is a disabled child, and her rights have been trampled on. She was. "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. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. 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. Jeni Jordan, president of the Oxford Hills Teachers Association, speaks Tuesday night to School Administrative District 17 directors meeting in Paris. Please wait for the page to reload. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. THE AGREEMENT ALSO BARS THE DISTRICT AND HENSON FROM TALKING ABOUT THIS PUBLIC. Create one. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. Success. My blood is boiling. She said educators have expressed concern about the superintendent taking and posting pictures of students and staff on her personal social media accounts without their consent. The Oxford Hills School District has agreed to pay their former superintendent Monica Henson $174,500. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. Monica Henson had been on leave for months before she resigned from Oxford Hills early last week. The reaction of the childs parents contrasts with Dr. Hensons statement last week defending herself against the list of complaints given to the board against her. Crime and Public Safety | On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday interviews will start at 6:30 p.m., at Oxford Middle School. 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. Parents and staff are concerned about Superintendent Monica Henson, who has been in the role since July 2021. 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The timeline calls for finalists interviews on Feb. 16 and 17 with a selection of a new superintendent set for March 4. 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. 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. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. 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. AS YOU SAID.. 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. 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. Months ago Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne announced his retirement that was due to happen in January. Firefighters used ladders to rescue at least five people from a burning Indianapolis apartment building where others reportedly jumped from third-floor windows to escape the smoke and flames, A mistrial was declared after a jury in southern Arizona was unable to reach a verdict on a murder charge against a man accused of killing a 6-year-old girl, A now-shuttered Wisconsin substance abuse center and its CEO owe the government more than $2 million in a Medicaid fraud case. 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. Henson did not address the September incident during Mondays meeting. Other teachers and association representatives added their statements, but the chairman did not allow them to voice specific complaints. All Rights Reserved. Crime and Public Safety | 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. The last speaker was Eric Bennett of Oxford, the father of the student at the center of the controversy. On Monday, Jan. 31, interviews will be with John Bernia, Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools; and Ken Weaver, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Oxford Community Schools. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. She has instituted a number of options I will be glad to share with the board in private session.. The student fell while she pulled him into an office, and the superintended fell on top of the student and used a restraint technique. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, an interview is set for Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills School. Or email them to: d.hertell@msad17.org . 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Learn more. So there are a lot of valid things that staff are concerned about.. 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. All rights reserved. While the districts investigation remains confidential, not all records are shielded under Maine law. Already have a commenting profile? 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. Since you said it was a vote of no confidence and listed her name, we need to follow grievance procedure.. Use the form below to reset your password. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. 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. One child was recently injured while in school. That is it. Monica Henson had been on leave. The OHEA was invited to submit a quarterly letter to the Board outlining how they perceive things are going with the new administration, with the express purpose that the letters would be used as part of my performance evaluation by the Board. Login. Parents are still concerned. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. Theres a lot of fear, Jordan 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. 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. Educators at the school say the Oxford County Sheriffs Office was there Tuesday conducting interviews about the incident. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.