Teacher of the Year


School: No Evidence Of Romance Before Teacher Married Student



WILMINGTON, N.C. -- There was no credible evidence of a romantic relationship between a 40-year-old high school science teacher and a 16-year-old student until the couple married, Brunswick County school officials say.

Brenton Wuchae was a cross country coach who mentored Windy Hager at South Brunswick High School. He resigned in mid-June, the same day he married Hager.

The Brunswick County Board of Education released a detailed account of the school's involvement Tuesday, saying school administrators closely monitored and limited the couple's relationship but never found evidence of any romance.

In November, South Brunswick High School Principal Vann Pennell directed Wuchae to cease all contact with Hager, noting that a lengthy list of phone calls and text messages with the student "did raise questions of poor judgment."

The school suspended Wuchae in May after finding that he had communicated with Hager at school. Both he and the teenager continued to deny a romantic relationship, the school board said.

Brian Shaw, an attorney representing the school district, said Pennell also told Wuchae to resign or be fired. Wuchae resigned and married Hager, who had recently finished her sophomore year as one of the school's top runners.

"Prior to the surprise marriage, there simply was no credible evidence of a romantic relationship between the teacher and student," Katie McGee, the district's superintendent, said in a statement.

Hager's parents had approached both the school and authorities in hopes of ending the relationship. The Hagers have said they reluctantly signed a consent form allowing their daughter to marry her coach.

The school system hired Wuchae as a teacher and coach in 2004. The district said it conducted a background check before hiring Wuchae and found no problems.