PORT TOWNSEND — The chairwoman of the Port Townsend School Board has resigned over what she called “poor judgment” at an event last weekend on the grounds of Blue Heron School.
Holley Carlson faulted herself for participating in a toast with “an incremental amount of alcohol” at the end of an eighth-grade dinner dance May 29 that she helped chaperone.
No children were present, she told the Peninsula Daily News, when adults toasted “a job well done.”
“It is with great regret that I offer my resignation from my position” as the District 1 board member, she said in last Thursday’s letter to school Superintendent David Engle.
She said Saturday the toast with alcohol violated school policy.
Other members of the School Board will consider accepting the resignation at a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the Gael Stuart Building, 1610 Blaine St.
“This past weekend, I used poor judgment during an event on school grounds,” Carlson’s letter said. “I am truly sorry.
“It is my hope that from this experience, there can be clarity and growth, and that restoration of trust will be rebuilt.”
In an email to the PDN on Saturday, Carlson said: “No children were present. However, holding myself to a higher standard led me to the decision to resign.
“My participation in the schools is greater than being a board member. I’ll continue to volunteer for the schools and our greater community. My passion and commitment does not waiver.”
Engle and three of Carlson’s fellow board members — Keith White, Jennifer James-Wilson and Pam Daly — were unavailable for comment.
However, board member Nathanael O’Hara told the PDN on Saturday: “I’m just sad that this public servant has to resign and chose that path, and I’m trying to understand it myself.”
O’Hara, who declined to discuss the incident that prompted Carlson’s resignation, said, “I’m just disappointed that this is going, on and I’m sorry that she’s resigning.
“It was her decision. She’s dedicated herself to the school, and the school is losing a tremendous public servant.”
O’Hara said he believed Carlson had discussed her decision with Engle and Daly.
Carlson originally won election without opposition in 2009 to the board seat vacated by John Eissinger.
At the time she announced her candidacy, she said she had three goals: “Communication amongst the board and the community at large, collaboration also between the board and the community, and compassion.”
In 2009, according to newspaper archives, she and her husband, Dr. Todd Carlson, had two children in Port Townsend schools, where she volunteered at Mountain View Elementary.
An agent with Windermere Port Townsend, she said she donated 10 percent of her real estate sales commissions to Port Townsend schools.
Carlson ran unopposed for re-election in 2013 and was chosen board chair.
Besides her school involvement, she told the PDN in 2009 she was active in the Healthy Youth Coalition, Substance Abuse Advisory Board, Olympic Community Action Programs, Community Network Board, Real Estate Professionals for Affordable Housing, Port Townsend Cooperative Playschool and committees campaigning for a school bond.
Carlson concluded her resignation letter with gratitude to her fellow board members.
“Although the road has not always been smooth, the rewards have been nothing but great,” she wrote.
She also wrote to Engle:
“I look forward with great anticipation to all of the good things that are going to happen for our students and our schools as we move forward. . . .
“It is with graciousness that I offer you my resignation, in hopes of grace in return.”
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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com.
Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
