Westside Elementary School is without its principal, and school officials say they don't know when she'll be back.

The absence of Melva Belcher this week has raised questions among parents, teachers, students and members of her church, High Street Baptist.

Dana Thurston, the school system's director for resource development and communications, said she could confirm only that Belcher is on leave.

"We cannot disclose further details out of respect for Dr. Belcher's privacy," she said.

Belcher could not be reached for comment Friday.

When asked if Belcher would return to Westside, Thurston said Belcher's "return date is unknown at this time."

"We don't know the reasons," said Anita Price, a member of the Roanoke Education Association and a member of High Street Baptist. "Dr. Belcher is just so well-loved and so well thought of. Everyone is just questioning what's going on."

In Belcher's absence, assistant principal Adriane Leche is serving as the school's leader, and teachers have been asked to direct all questions to Leche, "out of courtesy of her leadership," Thurston said.

Roanoke School Board members have said they can't comment on Belcher's leave.

"This comes down to the superintendent's realm and a personnel issue," said Chairwoman Kathy Stockburger.

Asked about the seemingly widespread rumors surrounding Belcher's leave, Stockburger said: "There are always at least two sides to every story."

Stockburger said she's gotten several calls from people with questions about Belcher, as has City Councilman Sherman Lea, who is a former school board member.

"You've got a school without a principal, and the faculty really don't know why and they're upset," Lea said. "This lady has done some tremendous things for this school, and she's well thought of in the community."

Belcher has been Westside's principal since 2004. She also has served as a teacher in Roanoke schools, and in Bedford County, as an assistant principal, principal, specialist for elementary education and coordinator of the program for the gifted and talented program.

Before taking her post at Westside, Belcher served as principal of Lee M. Waid Elementary School in Rocky Mount.

Under her leadership, students' test scores rose and the school became fully accredited by the state.

She has said she wanted to help Westside, which has never met state or federal standards, to achieve the same success.

In 2004, Belcher and nine other teachers became the first in the state to graduate from the Virginia School Turnaround Specialist program at the University of Virginia.

"She is highly respected and a beloved educator," Price said.

Belcher's absence "has gotten a lot of interest" from teachers, parents, even community organizations, she said.

Meetings are planned over the next few days to discuss the issue, Price said, adding: "If nothing else, we want to show our love and support for her."