Drug Dealer Reinstated As Teacher; Man Can Only Work in Bridgeport, Must Get Drug Tests

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The state Board of Education for the first time reinstated a teacher convicted of selling drugs, but only with a detailed conditional agreement that includes random drug testing and limits him to teaching at The Bridge Academy in Bridgeport until 2010.

Orlando Hernandez, 37, of New Haven, was a math teacher at Fair Haven Middle School when he was arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer in 2003. Hernandez's teaching certificate was automatically revoked when he was convicted Feb. 11, 2004. He was given a conditional discharge and a suspended sentence of three years in prison.

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Drug Dealer Reinstated As Teacher; Man Can Only Work in Bridgeport, Must Get Drug Tests

"There are extraordinary mitigating circumstances," said John Gesmonde, his attorney in Hamden. "Up to age 32, his lips never touched alcoho...

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