Log in to join the discussion. That review recently came to an end. Already registered? Those records are also confidential, and the department did not wish to comment on the matter. In cases of bullying, the Superintendent will monitor situations that are not being resolved at the school level and guide the process if necessary. 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. She was placed on leave Jan. 26. THEY WILL ALSO PAY HER 5,500 DOLLARS IN HER LEGAL FEES. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. There are concerns about COVID and how that's being handled. WE HAD MULTIP ELEYEWITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT. Maine Superintendent Accused of Restraining Child Resigns - US News 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. Bickford had stepped into the role temporarily when Clarke took a medical leave during the fall. The Oxford Hills School District. . 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. On Thursday a meeting will be held to narrow the list of five to two or three finalists. The school board launched an investigation into the matter and put Henson on paid administrative leave. OXFORD HILLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MONICA HENSON IS ACCUSED OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATN IO AMONG BOTH TEACHERS AND EVEN STUDENTS. That includes the resignation agreement where the district said it would pay Henson $174,500. Learn more. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. NORWAY, Maine (WMTW) -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. 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. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of creating culture of fear and Heres why. "There are some vocal constituencies, but I don't think they represent the majority of the staff. The chief curriculum officer is the unanimous choice to lead while Monica Henson is on paid administrative leave. "And as far as we're aware, there's been no investigation on that, and that's very concerning to us. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. 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. You will receive an email to complete the registration. The biggest concern is that theres an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students, Jordan said. So far, no criminal charges have been filed. Tensions erupt at SAD 17 board meeting over no-confidence vote of Henson also claimed that the school did not have a code of conduct in its student handbook. "Every time he smiles, and I see the hole in his face, I'm reminded that the oversight in this district isn't where it needs to be," said Aranka Matolcsy of her 10-year-old son. Oxford Hills superintendent accused of restraining a child resigns After just six months on the job, Superintendent Monica Henson was placed on administrative leave Jan. 26, following. Oxford Hills School District will be a bully-free zone, effective immediately. The full list of the OHEA's complaints can be found here. IN I. T. THE OXFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THEY WILL PAY FORMER SUPERINTENDENT MONICA HENSON .. I implore this board to take everything that you are hearing this evening from everyone here extremely seriously, Matolcsy said. You dont file a grievance if someone is a bad leader, he said. Last week on Jan. 11, the OHEA held its regular monthly meeting, Jordan told directors. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Update: Maine DHHS, Oxford County Sheriff investigating MSAD 17 Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Statement on the OHEA No Confidence Vote by sunjournal on Scribd. 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. 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. Oxford Hills Superintendent under fire at school board meeting - WABI-TV Theres a lot of fear, Jordan said. Oxford Hills School Board Meeting - Schoolslearning.info One West Paris resident later told the Advertiser Democrat that Puiia fears for her job. There have been zero grievances lodged against me with the Board for any contract violations. She gave no reason for removing him from his coaching job. The Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation was established in 1998 and has benefited from Three donations of $1,000,000 each from Robert and Sandra Bahre. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. "The biggest concern is that there's an accusation of physical contact and verbal intimidation of students," Jordan said. There are concerns that staff just feel like when they try to express something, it just gets dismissed. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. They don't represent the majority of the community," Henson said. Jewish Michigan lawmaker says threats are constant Jordan also claimed that students fear the superintendent and are being treated unfairly. Heather was the person that came to everyones mind for that, as well as having the credentials. 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. 200,000 lose power as snowstorm blankets Detroit region, Catholic priest Joseph 'Father Jack' Baker sentenced for child rape, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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 . Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Crime and Public Safety | "We take those accusations very seriously," Jordan added. 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. The teachers union also recently sent a vote of no confidence to the school board. 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. 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. 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. Here we are four months later and her rights are still being trampled on.. We want our students and our staff safe. 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. 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.. Oxford Hills school school to pay former superintendent $174K - WMTW The 22-member board represents the towns of Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford and West Paris. It seems the superintendent doesnt understand what the grievance procedure is used for, which (is limited to) contractual disputes.. Jordan was followed by Dennis Boyd, grievance chairman for the union. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. The copy of the resignation agreement says they will pay Henson in return for her resignation . The Foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in scholarships since 1999. School board chair Natalie Andrews said Monica Henson's resignation was . Three parents addressed the board, two with children with disabilities who they said are not receiving proper support. I am a mom and grandmother, Morgan said. 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. "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. And documents obtained by the Maine Wire show how the firm has coached Maine school boards on how to limit parental input when dealing with these controversial topics. The Oxford County District Attorneys Office said the issue was sent off to another agency and the case is still under review. The complaints were brought to the school board in a meeting Tuesday.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.