Milton High School principal resigns after DUI

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Schools confirmed to Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik that Cherokee County deputies arrested incoming Milton High School principal Nathan Buhl over the weekend.

Deputies say Buhl was involved in a crash Saturday night in north Forsyth County and left the scene. Someone recorded Buhl’s tag number and deputies were able to track Buhl into Cherokee County, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. When Forsyth County contacted Cherokee County, deputies told them Buhl had been involved in a crash there as well. Buhl was arrested by both agencies.

Deputies charged Buhl with DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and striking an unattended vehicle. Buhl spent three nights in jail.

Petchenik, who broke the story on Twitter Wednesday morning, obtained an email Buhl wrote to Milton High School staff on Wednesday morning.

http://twitter.com/MPetchenikWSB/status/494534230156644353

In the letter, Buhl says “I am humbled and ashamed, after making the worst decisions of my life Saturday night.”

Buhl wrote in the letter that his students deserve the best, and he did not give them his best.

“Teenagers wrestle with the same kind of choices I faced Saturday night on a regular basis. How can I stand before them and tell them to do what I say, not what I did?” Buhl wrote in his email.

Buhl was most recently the principal at Crabapple Middle School. The school district named him to be the next principal of Milton High School in May.

Superintendent Robert Avossa released the following statement about Buhl's arrest:

"I’m disappointed in the charges against Dr. Buhl, but believe he has done the right thing by stepping down as principal. He is taking full responsibility for his actions and their consequences, and this sends the right message to the students and community we serve.”

Wednesday, the Fulton County School System named former Milton High School principal Ron Tesch as interim principal.

Here is the full email sent by Buhl Wednesday morning:

Dear Milton Staff,

Two months ago was one of the proudest and happiest moments of my professional career, when I was named principal of Milton High School. Today I am humbled and ashamed, after making the worst decisions of my life Saturday night. A night of celebration quickly turned to nightmare because of the series of poor choices that I made. After eventually crashing my vehicle, the police picked me up and quickly put the pieces together. On Saturday, July 26th, I was charged with several citations and will eventually have my day in court.

I became an educator because I love children and young people, and I believe they deserve the very best we can give them. I did not give the students of Milton High School my very best. As such, I cannot continue to serve as their principal. Teenagers wrestle with the same kind of choices I faced Saturday night on a regular basis. How can I stand before them and tell them to do what I say, not what I did? How can I stand before their teachers, support staff and parents?

At this point in time, I need to focus on myself and my family. I need to reflect on what led me to make a series of disastrous decisions this past weekend, and I need to reflect with gratitude on the realization that it could have been even worse. I could have caused physical harm or even death to another human being. Thank you for welcoming me into the Milton community. I will continue to root for the Eagles and I know you will excel.

Sincerely,

Nathan Buhl

WSBTV