Butler High School opened its doors to its very first student body in August of 1997.  It was named for David W. Butler, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg teacher whose life was cut tragically short.  His legacy of honor, courage, and strength of spirit seems interwoven into the very walls of this building.  David Watkins Butler, was a loving son, wonderful husband, caring father, devoted teacher, and a friend to many people in need. David Butler was the son of educators.  He taught at Rowan Senior High School, Piedmont Correctional Center, Piedmont Open Middle School in CMS, and West Charlotte High School in CMS. Tragically on January 7, 1997, David Butler died of smoke inhalation after helping his wife and two children escape a house fire.  As a teacher, he was known to pass out his phone number to students in need, told humorous stories, coached the boys and girls basketball teams, and was known to simply make learning fun.

As students, we should be proud to go to a North Carolina high school named after a gifted, respected, and beloved teacher who died as he lived...a hero.  Maybe, Mr. Butler's wife, April, put it best when she said that naming this school after David Butler would be "a tribute to educators [proving] that teaching does make a difference."