Teacher Placed on Leave; Students Want Answers

school students are seeking answers about the absence of a teacher.

Students said school officials informed them last week that literature teacher Katharyn Wheeler-Smith was placed on administrative leave. They said they weren't given a reason why.

Students are currently gathering signatures for a petition they plan on giving to the School Board.

"We are protesting the sudden and unexplained removal of our teacher," the petition reads. "We believe Wheeler-Smith has been an inspirational educator who changed lives and is an irreplaceable member of the (Exeter High School) faculty."

Students have formed a Facebook group called "Operation: Retrieve Wheeler" to organize the petition drive. They plan to speak to the School Board during its next meeting this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the high school.

Exeter Patch left a phone message and e-mail for the school superintendent but they were not returned. An e-mail to Wheeler-Smith was not returned.

Links:

• The "Operation: Retrieve Wheeler" Facebook page
• The student petition