Campbell County High School criminal justice teacher Buddy Brian Nelson resigned on Jan. 24 after having been suspended without pay weeks earlier, but he will face no criminal charges following the closing of the case by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Jan. 31.
“My office determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution; therefore, I requested that the TBI close their case,” said Eighth District Attorney General Jared Effler.
Nelson was suspended without pay, effective Jan. 2.
The end date of the suspension was pending the outcome of an investigation.
“He has been suspended without pay pending an investigation by DCS and the TBI on reports made by a student that they were made to feel uncomfortable,” said Campbell County Director of Schools Jennifer Fields weeks ago.
In his resignation letter, Nelson wrote, “Beginning with a thank you for the opportunity to serve in a teaching capacity over the past several years, I have done the best of my ability to instill education, honor and accountability to each student that I have encountered as well as push them to succeed in not only their educational abilities but more importantly, their future with either college or career and as citizens. I know I have reached many and have been blessed seeing them succeed.
“Considering the present accusations and investigation, with a heavy heart I am resigning from the position of Criminal Justice teacher at Campbell County High School. I have been burdened with the current issue until it has affected my health, my home life as well as blemished my reputation and character in to the community in many negative ways that I feel is irreversible. I deny any accusation of wrongdoing especially of a criminal nature but feel that it is in my best interest to part ways to salvage my name and reputation. I no longer feel that I could safely teach in the current environment where any allegation can cause this type of devastation for me, as well as my family’s lives.
“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your team and my prayer for this is that the faculty and staff as well as students and the administration strive forward to make this the best educational system that it can be. I have worked with some amazing mentors and teachers along the way and am honored to work alongside them. I will miss the staff and friends that I have made along this journey. This decision is my best effort to protect myself and my life for the future.”
Nelson sent the resignation letter, dated Jan. 24, to Fields, CTE Director Robbie Heatherly, CCHS Principal Ben Foust and the Campbell County Board of Education.
In the director’s final report, it was noted: “The resignation almost immediately followed a media report about the investigation.”
In the initial director’s report, under “allegations of misconduct, which, if substantiated, would warrant consideration for license suspension, revocation or formal reprimand under state board rules,” two items were circled: “inappropriate communication with a student that is explicit” and “inappropriate physical contact with a student that does result in harm.”
An incident happened in class with other students present allegedly.
“TBI files are confidential,” Effler said.
TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart said, “In December, at the request of 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI special agents began investigating allegations of assault involving a teacher at Campbell County High School.”
Campbell County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Suzy Knight said, “On December 16, a meeting was conducted between the student, their parents, school principal and the SRO to discuss the nature of the complaint.”
Sheriff Wayne Barton further clarified that Nelson had previously worked at the county sheriff’s office, which amounts to a conflict of interest. That’s why it was TBI running the investigation and not the county sheriff’s office.
In Nelson’s personnel file, a letter noted that the county school board voted to grant Nelson tenure back in 2020.
