Students: We Want Our Teacher Back [POLL]

A group of about 30 Exeter High students, alumni, and parents tonight expressed their support for a popular literature teacher who was placed on an unexplained leave.

The group came out to a School Board meeting tonight and argued for the reinstatement of literature teacher Katharyn Wheeler-Smith, who has been on leave for about two weeks.

"She is among the teachers who raises the standards of our school," student Lucas Gajewski told the board. "Exeter High School is a better place with her around."

Wheeler-Smith was placed on leave by Superintendent Michael Morgan, who – citing privacy rules – has to give a reason for the move but said he's looking into the matter. She was not at tonight's meeting.

Morgan said an investigation into the matter could last until mid-May, at which point Wheeler-Smith's fate could be decided.

Students tonight presented the School Board with a petition signed by nearly 200 people asking for the teacher's return. They used a Facebook group named "Operation: Retrieve Wheeler" to organize the petition drive. More than 600 people have "liked" the Facebook page.

Nathan Merrill, a 1991 Exeter High graduate, told the board tonight Wheeler-Smith was his teacher and said that while she could be tough, her "love for her students ... shines through."

Sally Oxnard, a mother whose three children took Wheeler-Smith's class, agreed.

"They learned everything they know about writing from her," Oxnard said.

Wheeler-Smith has taught in the school district for more than 20 years. Exeter Patch has reached out to her but she has not replied.

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