CHIMACUM — Chimacum School Board Member Robert Bunker has stepped down from his post at the request of school district officials after a temporary restraining order — now dismissed — prevented him from visiting the district’s main campus.
Bunker provided his written notice of resignation to the district Friday.
“With sincere apologies to those I have inadvertently impacted, effective immediately and with great regret, I resign my position on the Chimacum School Board,” Bunker wrote.
Superintendent Rick Thompson said he will recommend the School Board act on Bunker’s resignation during its meeting Wednesday.
He said the board will review the replacement process during its during Nov. 28 meeting. Bunker represented District 4 and the seat will be up for election in fall 2019 with the filing window in May.
Bunker was appointed to the Chimacum School Board position in 2013 before being elected to it in 2015.
A Kitsap County Superior Court commissioner dismissed a temporary protection order against Chimacum School Board member Robert Bunker at the request of Bunker’s wife Thursday.
The temporary protection order — filed Oct. 24 and dismissed Thursday — had prevented Bunker from being within 500 feet of the Chimacum School District’s main campus, where School Board meetings are held.
Thompson and School Board Chair Mike Gould issued a joint statement calling for Bunker’s immediate resignation on Tuesday.
“[I]nformation has arisen which demonstrates that Mr. Bunker’s private life has become significantly disruptive to the school district, the details of which compromise his ability to be part of the governing board of the school district,” they said in the joint statement Tuesday.
On Thursday after the order was dismissed, they said they stood by their statement.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
