Lisle teacher in sex scandal resigns

A teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student has resigned from Plainfield North High School.

School officials announced Wednesday they accepted the resignation of Ashley Blumenshine, 27, of Lisle.

The Plainfield Unit District 202 school board also directed administrators to start the process to suspend and revoke Blumenshine’s teaching certificate through the Will County regional superintendent of schools and state superintendent of schools.

Blumenshine is out on bail following her Jan. 4 arrest, officials said.

She has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. If convicted, she faces probation or three to seven years in prison, authorities said.

Blumenshine was arrested after police discovered her and the male student in a vehicle behind a department store at 11860 S. Route 59 in Plainfield.

Police said the two had sexual contact just before officers arrived.

School district officials said Blumenshine taught physical education and dance at North since 2006. Before that, she was a student teacher in the health and physical education program for about a year at Plainfield South High School.

Blumenshine is scheduled to appear Jan. 26 in front of Judge Richard Schoenstedt for a preliminary hearing or arraignment.

A judge has ordered Blumenshine have no contact with students at North and no contact with minors who aren’t related to her.

Accepting Blumenshine’s resignation, officials said on their website, allows the district to “move forward without engaging in what could have been a lengthy and expensive teacher dismissal hearing involving witnesses, including PNHS students and staff members.”

Blumenshine has not returned to Plainfield North High School since her arrest, district officials said.

A long-term substitute is teaching Blumenshine’s classes.

District officials said Blumenshine has been on unpaid leave since Jan. 10, but will be paid for any work she performed before Jan. 7.