THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 15, 1996 TAG: 9606150429
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 47 lines
The Dare County Sheriff's Department is about to wrap up its investigation of Manteo High School chemistry teacher Frank C. Schulz, who resigned unexpectedly April 3.
Police and school officials have said Schulz was suspected of possible juvenile sexual offenses. Schulz has not been charged.
Deputy Sheriff Rodney Midgett said Friday that investigators plan to give their reports to the district attorney's office next week. The prosecutor will then decide whether to seek an indictment from a grand jury.
Midgett said the sheriff's department has no idea of Schulz's whereabouts, and will not attempt to locate him unless he is charged.
Neighbors near Schulz's one-story house on Cannon Gate Road in Burnside Forest said they have not seen him in weeks. Shades are pulled down in the tan, green-shuttered home, but flower beds are in bloom outside. Schulz has arranged for a neighbor to mow his lawn, nearby residents said.
The house, which Schulz purchased in April 1995 for $99,500, is not listed in real estate multiple listings. Schulz's phone has been disconnected.
Midgett said investigators interviewed more than 20 people, most of them students.
``We're satisfied,'' Midgett said of the investigation. ``We've gone as far as we can go at this time.''
Dare County Board of Education attorney Richard Schwartz said Friday that the school district is preparing a report to urge the state education department to revoke Schulz's teaching license. He said he could not comment further at this time, but did say Schulz does not have to be present for his revocation hearing. If Schulz lost his teaching credentials, Schwartz said, all other state education departments in the country would be notified.
Schulz was hired by Dare County schools seven years ago. He had taught college-level chemistry for the past six years at Manteo High School.
Midgett said it could take two weeks for the prosecutor to make his decision about the case. If the matter is put before the grand jury, a decision could be rendered as early as that same day, he said.
Attorney W. Mark Spence of Alcock, Spence & Butler in Nags Head, said he has represented Schulz in various matters since he moved to Dare County. But Spence declined to say if is currently representing Schulz or plans to represent him if he is charged.
KEYWORDS: INVESTIGATION FRANK SCHULZ by CNB