by Brian Keaney

Sixth in a seven part series.

There was more than one occasion last year of a special education teacher being replaced by a long-term substitute who was not certified in the area.  It happened when two Middle School teachers were reassigned, and also when two Oakdale School teachers had extended medical absences as well.

Melissa Quintal was hired beginning in September 2008 to cover a maternity leave for Andrea Hume, a special education teacher at the Oakdale School.  Documents provided by Superintendent June Doe under public records requests show conflicting start dates. 

A list of long-term teacher absences shows a start date of September 1, but Quintal’s employee status record indicates her first day was September 10.  The list of absences indicates that the assignment ended on October 22.  The list also shows Quintal beginning to substitute for Martha Ogrodnik on September 1 as well, and continuing until June 22, 2009.  

The Oakdale School website lists both Hume and Ogrodnik as being special education teachers, though according to Doe neither have job descriptions.  myDedhamNews has learned that while at Oakdale Quintal worked as an inclusion teacher in the 3rd and 4th grades, and did small group work.

Quintal received a Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in special education from Bridgewater State College in May 2008.  A month later she applied for a teaching license from the state, but did not receive it until over a year later, after she finished teaching at the Oakdale School.  As of July 2009 she is licensed to teach regular education in grades one through six, and students with moderate disabilities from preschool through 8th grade.

Quintal’s employee status record, which only lists Hume’s maternity leave, indicates that she was to receive a boost in pay after the 40th day of teaching.  There are fewer than 40 school days between September 1 and October 22, 2008.  In addition, the record indicates that for the first 40 days she was to be paid $75 a day, a rate paid to licensed teachers.

Quintal is now a special education teacher at the Riverdale School.  She could not be reached for comment.

 Tomorrow: The to response the media.

Part 1: Two sped teachers left classrooms to tutor Committee member's child

Part 2: Federal civil rights investigators probe reassignment of teachers

Part 3: The substitute who made more than the superintendent

Part 4: Flatley loses, moves to Westwood

Part 5: State finds School Department out of compliance with Public Records Law