Superintendent Urges Patience in Teacher Absence

Superintendent Michael Morgan is urging students to be patient as he reviews the issue of a popular teacher placed on leave.

literature teacher Katharyan Wheeler-Smith has been absent from the school for about a week. Students want to know why she was placed on leave.

Morgan, citing privacy rules, said he can't release that information.

"It's a tough situation," he said. "I can't say very much ... out of respect for her."

Morgan said he couldn't divulge if the reason she was placed on leave was personal or punitive.

Students, alumni, and even parents have been reaching out to school officials asking for answers. They are on the Facebook group "Operation: Retrieve Wheeler." More than 250 people have joined the group.

A bunch of students are planning to speak to the School Board at its next meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Exeter High School.

Morgan said he welcomes students' efforts. He emphasized he's looking into Wheeler-Smith's situation.

"We're asking (students) to be patient," he said.

Wheeler-Smith has taught at the school for more than 20 years.

"She's certainly impacted many students positively over the years," Morgan said.

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