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Former Mesquite football coach suspended from teaching for three years
Lynn Proctor Windle, Managing Editor
Embattled former Mesquite High School athletic director Steve Halpin has been suspended from teaching in Texas public schools for three years.
The Texas Education Agency’s State Board of Educator Certification, which issues teaching credentials, suspended his certifications following an investigation into allegations that the long-time coach pawned school property to support a gambling addiction.
Haplin announced his retirement from the Mesquite Independent School District in early May, less than a week after police produced evidence indicating that the football coach had pawned school property n six items valued at about $2,000, according to police and school district records.
Since all of the items were returned, district officials declined to press criminal charges and turned over further investigations to the TEA.
The newly released TEA report concluded that Halpin acted improperly and misused school property.
"Due to this conduct, the Board finds that the Respondent is a person presently unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state," the report said.
Mesquite ISD officials said that since Halpin is no longer employee, the decision has no impact on the district.
“We’ve been aware the TEA handed down the suspension,” said Ian Halperin, MISD spokesman. “Since Halpin is no longer an employee, it has no affect on the MISD.”
Halpin has held two life teaching certifications since 1980, one in secondary social studies and another in Secondary Physical Education. Halpin will be able to reapply for his teaching credentials at the end of the suspension.
Embattled former Mesquite High School athletic director Steve Halpin has been suspended from teaching in Texas public schools for three years.
The Texas Education Agency’s State Board of Educator Certification, which issues teaching credentials, suspended his certifications following an investigation into allegations that the long-time coach pawned school property to support a gambling addiction.
Haplin announced his retirement from the Mesquite Independent School District in early May, less than a week after police produced evidence indicating that the football coach had pawned school property n six items valued at about $2,000, according to police and school district records.
Since all of the items were returned, district officials declined to press criminal charges and turned over further investigations to the TEA.
The newly released TEA report concluded that Halpin acted improperly and misused school property.
"Due to this conduct, the Board finds that the Respondent is a person presently unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state," the report said.
Mesquite ISD officials said that since Halpin is no longer employee, the decision has no impact on the district.
“We’ve been aware the TEA handed down the suspension,” said Ian Halperin, MISD spokesman. “Since Halpin is no longer an employee, it has no affect on the MISD.”
Halpin has held two life teaching certifications since 1980, one in secondary social studies and another in Secondary Physical Education. Halpin will be able to reapply for his teaching credentials at the end of the suspension.
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