THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604120576
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK AND LANE DEGREGORY, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Assistant District Attorney Robert Trivette plans to meet with investigators from the Dare County Sheriff's Department today to discuss the findings of a search at the home of a Manteo High School chemistry teacher who resigned unexpectedly last week.
Sheriff's Department spokesman Jasper Williams said an inventory of Frank C. Schultz Jr.'s Manteo home has been filed in the county Clerk of Court's office. But, like the warrant that authorized the search, the inventory is sealed to the public. Williams would not confirm what, if anything, officers found in the house when they searched it April 5.
``I requested that the search warrant and returns be sealed,'' Williams said Thursday. ``I can't say why.''
Judge Jerry Tillett sealed the search warrant. He was unavailable for comment Thursday. Schultz could not be contacted Thursday.
No charges have been filed against Schultz, Williams said.
The 51-year-old had taught college-level chemistry at Manteo High for the past seven years. He submitted his resignation April 3 after administrators walked into his classroom, searched it, locked his office and led him out of the room in front of students.
Administrators did not explain what was happening - or why - to the class. School officials have declined to discuss the case. Trivette said he ``doesn't know much about it yet,'' and that is why he plans to meet with investigators.
The assistant district attorney, however, said it is ``rather unusual'' for a search warrant - and its findings - to be sealed. Trivette could not cite a statute specifying on what ground the information in those documents can be closed to the public.
The State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the sheriff's department in investigating Schultz.
Richard Schwartz, the Dare County board of education attorney, said board members plan to ask the state to revoke Schultz's teaching license.
In a 1993 interview, Schultz said chemistry had been his life for 25 years. He also said he had received a doctoral degree from Columbia University. At his request, students referred to him as ``Dr. Schultz'' in deference to his degree.
School Superintendent Leon Holleman, however, said Schultz was hired as a ``regular, certified teacher'' - not as someone with a doctoral degree. Holleman, who has been superintendent for three years, was not here when Schultz was hired.
Columbia University alumni officials said Thursday that they have had no record of Schultz's attendance or graduation on file. by CNB