Weighing in on a special education controversy, School Committee Chairman Tracy Driscoll sought yesterday to assure Dedham parents that their children's confidentiality is being taken seriously.
"The right to confidentiality is given to every child by law," Driscoll said, speaking on behalf on her board. "Somewhere along the lines of this discussion, the rights of the students involved became secondary."
Two special education teachers left Dedham Middle School to provide home tutoring for a student in December and January, leading to a furor over whether the teachers' removal was appropriate and whether it caused a lapse in special ed services for students in school.
While the student has not been specifically named, Superintendent June Doe acknowledged earlier this week that "the identify of the child and the family is pretty widely known," which she called "extremely saddening."
Driscoll said confidentiality is being discussed at the administrative level, and that over the next few weeks the need for confidentiality will be reiterated to staff across the school district.
Doe has said she supported a decision made by the interim special education director that home tutoring was appropriate for the student during the week before Christmas vacation, and the following month until about Jan. 22.
One special education teacher began the tutoring before a second teacher took over. The tutoring took place between 9 and 11 a.m. most days per week, causing each teacher to miss one prep period and one 45-minute class.
A full-time aide and a retired Dedham teacher provided substitute coverage in each case, with "all educational services" in place for students, Doe said.
In a Feb. 27 letter, 28 middle school teachers questioned whether the teachers' removal caused a lapse in special ed services mandated by "individual education programs," or IEPs. Driscoll said there was no such lapse.
Middle school teacher Daniel Megan, cochairman of the Faculty Council, did not return a call for comment yesterday afternoon.
Driscoll took issue with the way the teachers voiced their concerns, saying the letter to the School Committee was delivered to the town clerk. She said one copy was given to the clerk to file as a public record, and that an envelope addressed to her - containing copies for each School Committee member - was also dropped off.
Driscoll said her committee would listen to employees' concerns, but "doing it in a public forum was not in the best interest of the student."
Finally, Driscoll addressed another controversy - how Doe signed a three-year contract extension with the School Committee at about the same time the tutoring took place. Driscoll said at no time did School Committee members engage in unethical or illegal behavior in that regard.
Driscoll and School Committee member Thomas Ryan negotiated the contract.
Driscoll said the contract was originally due to be settled by Dec. 1, but negotiations were delayed because of a serious illness in Doe's family.
As a result, the contract was finalized in January.
Driscoll said Doe has brought about "great results" through improved MCAS scores, better communication among the elementary schools, and the new advisory program and Freshman Academy at Dedham High School.
"We've taken on the big issues and June Doe has not shied away from any challenge, and we had absolutely no problem extending the contract for three more years," Driscoll said.
Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
