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Former Rolling Meadows High teacher pleads not guilty to sex charges

EXETER, N.H. (AP) - A former admissions officer at an elite New Hampshire prep school has pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse charges and waived his right to an arraignment.

Arthur Peekel was charged with two misdemeanors at Phillips Exeter Academy. He's accused of assaulting Lawrence Jenkens when the then-14-year-old visited the Exeter school in 1973.

Peekel left the school soon afterward and went on to teach in Illinois, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1992. He retired from Rolling Meadows High School in 2004. School officials said they were unaware of the Exeter allegations when they hired him in 1986, and no allegations have been made against him during his tenure there.

The 74-year-old Peekel was scheduled to be arraigned July 5 on two sexual assault counts. His lawyer submitted the not guilty plea and waiver this week.

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