Directors of School Administrative District 17 vote unanimously Monday night in Paris to accept the immediate resignation of Superintendent Monica Henson after meeting in executive session. The embattled leader was hired in July 2021 and was put on paid administrative leave Jan. 26 after being accused of improperly physically restraining a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris last September when she was filling in for the principal for one day. The incident resulted in investigations by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the school district. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat

PARIS — Monica Henson said Tuesday that the School Administrative District 17 directors’ unanimous vote Monday to accept her resignation as superintendent is the result of “character assassination.”

“My attorney and I are currently weighing options for proceeding against those involved in promoting the false narratives, now that the investigations have not, as we knew they would not, yielded substantiation of the outrageous lies that have been told,” she said.

“We are also considering whether to grant an interview on camera and/or in print, but that decision will not be made before the decision on actions against those involved in the character assassination campaign,” she said. “This includes the superintendent who preceded me in the position, who now works for the Maine Department of Education.”

“If so, it will be an exclusive interview,” she said, adding she is being represented by attorney Gregg Frame of Portland.”

Henson was hired in July 2021, succeeding Rick Colpitts who retired June 30, 2021, after 11 years in the position.

The resignation came more than two months after she was placed on administrative leave and nine months after she was hired for the position.

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The vote followed a 50-minute executive session by the 21 directors representing eight towns.

Henson was accused of improperly physically restraining a student at Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris in September 2021 when she was filling in for the principal for one day.

The incident resulted in multiple investigations by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and within the district.

The Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation and forwarded its report to the District Attorney’s Office in Lewiston. The DHHS investigation continues.

Board Chairwoman Natalie Andrews of West Paris said she could not comment on the status of the district’s internal investigation, which is being conducted by district lawyer Tom Trenholm of Drummond Woodsum.

To date, none of the agencies’ investigating the allegations against Henson have issued statements that they have been found to be false.

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Andrews called a motion “to accept Dr. Henson’s resignation, effective immediately, and allow the board chair(woman) to sign a separation agreement negotiated by counsel.” It was accepted, seconded and passed with no comment from the board.

“I look forward to moving forward with the district,” Andrews said after the meeting adjourned. She said no decisions have been made about a search for a new superintendent.

On Jan. 18, Jordan presented the board with a list of 27 complaints about Henson’s leadership and said the association held a meeting Jan. 11 and “there was an overwhelming response to support a vote of no confidence for Dr. Henson.”

Heather Manchester, who was previously chief curriculum officer, was appointed assistant acting superintendent on Jan. 31.

“I think we are ready to be a stronger Oxford Hills,” said Jeni Jordan, president of Oxford Hills Education Association. “People love the community and they are ready to move forward.”

The mother of the student involved in the altercation, Ashley Rowe of West Paris, said by phone Monday night she is not sure how to feel about the resignation announcement.

“I do not know the circumstances of her resigning,” Rowe said.

Rowe shared a screenshot from Henson’s Facebook page that was forwarded to her just prior to the Monday night meeting. Henson wrote, “It’s so cool when the good guys win” followed by a blushing, smiling emoji face. The post contained a meme referencing Psalms 23:5.

“It infuriates me that she thinks traumatizing a child is winning,” Rowe said.

A screenshot of Monica Henson’s April 4 Facebook post before School Administrative District 17 directors unanimously accepted her resignation Monday night. Submitted photo

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