It was a typical Tuesday at Broad Run High School in Ashburn except for one notable absence.

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A day after Broad Run biology teacher Michael Hitzges was arrested on accusations that he was drunk on campus, he says that by no means was he drinking on campus.

"I wasn't drinking at school," Hitzges said outside his Loudoun County apartment. "I had some drinks the night before, woke up and went to work.

"I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't put anyone in jeopardy."

Hitzges, who was charged with public intoxication, says that he was not drunk from the night before, either.

Loudoun County Sheriff's officials say that a school resource officer reported to administration that Hitzges appeared to be intoxicated at Broad Run on Monday. In an email to parents, Principal Doug Anderson said that the school was cooperating fully with authorities in the investigation.

Hitzges, 47, has been teaching at Broad Run since 2004, and parents remain concerned about the example being set.

"I don't think it's a very good influence for teachers to be at school, drunk, with teenagers," Broad Run parent Karen Haywood said.