Greensburg Daily News, Greensburg, IN

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  • Aaron Kirchoff

    Billingsley
November 23, 2005

South Decatur teacher resigns

Paul Glasser

An unfortunate development has forced South Decatur teacher and coach Shane Billingsley to resign.

“We’re extremely disappointed the situation has come up,” said superintendent Dr. Bob Cupp. “Shane has been a good teacher and a good coach.”

Billingsley taught social studies and coached basketball at the high school. According to a press release from the Decatur County School Corporation, his teaching license expired in April of 2005 and he didn’t renew it. A normal license is good for five years and in that time the teacher must complete six hours of graduate courses, which Billingsley did not do. Although his license had expired, Billingsley returned to school this year and signed a contract.

“We have to have certified teachers in the classroom,” Cupp said. “Without a license, the contract can’t be enforced.”

At the beginning of the school year, many teachers update their files by adding degrees, renewing their license or adding course credits. When South principal Bob Hacker checked with Billingsley on his status, they discovered his license had expired.

“We tried to look for alternatives, but we found we really didn’t have any options,” Cupp said.

On Thursday and Friday, a substitute teacher filled in for Billingsley during his social studies classes and school administrators tried to find a way to help Billingsley. Every year, some teachers apply and qualify for emergency permits, but Billingsley didn’t meet the requirements. Cupp worked with the teachers’ association and the state department of education, but there weren’t any alternatives.

“There really was little I could do in terms of protecting the corporation,” Cupp said.

He discussed the matter with Billingsley, who officially resigned on Tuesday morning.

“Shane did what he felt comfortable doing,” Cupp said.

Billingsley had hoped for a different resolution, but accepted responsibility for his actions.

“Resigning was the only option,” he said.

The corporation will start looking for a new teacher immediately and until then, a substitute will handle his teaching responsibilities. Junior varsity coach Matt Diehl will serve as interim varsity coach. Former South teacher and coach Will Mulroney will serve as assistant varsity coach. Joe Hartwell has served at all levels of the program and will fill Diehl’s position at the junior varsity level.

“We can only move on from here and make the best of difficult circumstances,” according to a press release.

Billingsley created a bond with his students in the class room and on the court, so it was difficult for players and co-workers to say good-bye.

“We have a program, a team and students to think about,” Cupp said. “There is always a great deal of loyalty with teachers and coaches.”

There is never a good time to lose a teacher, but the basketball season and holidays only complicated the issue.

“The timing is awful,” Cupp said. “This loss is a shame.”

Billingsley had a few parting comments for his students and players.

“I am very sorry things happened the way they did,” he said. “In my heart, the team will always be my team.”

He also thanked the community and parents for their support and urged them to stay strong through the turbulent future.

“The community has shown me how much they cared, and it meant a great deal,” Billingsley said. “I want everyone to support the kids and stay behind them.”

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