Kingsley Middle School Principal Karl Hartman has resigned from his position and is facing multiple criminal charges for sexual conduct involving underage victims, according to the Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Hartman, 54, was arrested Tuesday morning by authorities on charges including two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, and two counts of furnishing alcohol to minors. The criminal complaint describes at least three alleged underage male victims of Hartman's. In the first case, a victim spent the night at Hartman’s when he was eight or nine years old, with Hartman having the victim sleep in his bed. Hartman allegedly put his hand inside the victim’s underwear and groped him in bed. In the second case, another victim – also eight or nine years old – said he was called to Hartman’s office at school for using an inappropriate word during class. Hartman had the student close the office door and sit on his lap, rubbing the child’s buttocks and stomach. Hartman asked the child to explain the inappropriate word he used, which was a word for “an intimate body part,” according to the complaint, and had the child “explain to him in detail what the intimate body part was used for.”

In the third case, a victim indicated that when he was 14 years old, he routinely spent time at Hartman’s house. On one occasion, Hartman provided the victim and another child with alcohol and also drank himself, with all three parties becoming intoxicated. Hartman told the children to expose their genitals so he could “judge whose was the biggest,” the complaint states. The children complied, with Hartman stating “That’s all I needed” before going to bed, according to the complaint.

Hartman was employed by Kingsley Area Schools since 1987 in various teaching, administrative, and coaching positions. He was put on paid leave earlier this month as the Sheriff’s Office began its investigation and gave his resignation Monday night. In a letter addressed to Kingsley Area Schools Superintendent Keith Smith, Hartman said he was writing with “mixed emotions…to retire, effective immediately.” He said he could not comment on the pending allegations against him based on the advice of his attorney. “I can, however, say that the teachers, staff, parents, and students deserve to move forward with certainty, and my decision to retire will allow you and the Board of Education to find a permanent replacement for my position,” he wrote.

Hartman continued that he was “proud of a great many things that Kingsley Area Schools, and specifically the elementary and middle schools, were able to accomplish during my tenure. I wish the school system, the staff, and our students the best in their future.” Hartman indicated he had turned over all district property in his possession, and asked that any remaining personal property of his be remanded to his attorney. Hartman also asked that any outstanding funds related to his contract – including unused sick, personal, and vacation time – be forwarded to his home address.

All of the charges against Hartman except for furnishing alcohol to minors are felony charges, with the criminal sexual conduct charges punishable by up to 15 years in prison and lifetime electronic monitoring. Anyone with more information on these or any other allegations involving Hartman is asked to call the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office at 231-995-5002.