John Tawresey apologized to voters but said the Bainbridge Island School District will be in good hands following his departure, according to the resignation letter he sent to his fellow board members early last week.

Tawresey resigned from his District 3 seat on the school board March 6, and board members said afterward they were sad to see him go. Tawresey stepped down four days after asking for a leave of absence following his arrest on hit-and-run and driving under the influence charges.

“I do not believe that I can continue to make a net positive contribution to our district’s efforts,” Tawresey wrote. “The events of last week have created perceptions that cannot be reversed.”

“If the district were to lose one vote at levy time, or if one citizen were to derive a negative opinion toward the district, it would be one too many and I believe that this is the situation,” he continued.

“I apologize to those who voted for me but hope that I have provided a positive benefit to our kids and district during the time I have served.”

In the letter, Tawresey praised the work of his colleagues on the school board and those working to educate the community’s children.

“In addition to our great kids, our island is fortunate to have a highly skilled and professional school board and staff. They are dedicated to providing our children with the best possible education,” he said.

Tawresey was elected to a second term in November 2011. In his resignation letter, he also said he hoped the district would continue its focus on its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program.

“I hope that you can find a way to provide more STEM field trips, maybe less emphasis on gardening in exchange for increased attention to design, analysis and problem solving, and maybe even lights for the baseball field,” he wrote.

Tawresey was arrested by Bainbridge Island Police Feb. 29 after he allegedly hit two other vehicles with his Ford F350 pickup truck near San Carlos Restaurant on Madison Avenue. Witnesses said he tried to leave the accident scene after the crash, but bystanders blocked his exit and called 911. He pled not guilty to DUI and hit-and-run. A court date has been set  for May 3.

School Board President Patty Fielding announced Tawresey’s resignation at the board meeting March 8.

District officials will announce the process for finding someone to fill the vacancy on the school board at a later date.