The “differing viewpoints” between the Renton School Board and Superintendent Merri Rieger during her employment are still a mystery as neither side has yet to explain the specifics surrounding the Superintendent’s resignation on Wednesday.

The Renton Reporter reached out to the district for an explanation of the philosophical differences that were said to set apart the school board and Rieger, who was hired just two years ago. Randy Matheson, district spokesperson, offered that, “their approach to the work was just philosophically different.”

When asked for examples of how that played out, Matheson said he had none, but maintained the separation was amicable.

Rieger did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. Her last day in the office was May 12.

The paper also asked School Board President Pam Teal for her view on the differences. Teal also did not respond on Thursday.

Rieger is to receive 18 months of her salary as settlement, according to Matheson. A typical settlement is about two years or 24 months, he said. When asked if there were performance issues, Matheson said “No, these were just differences in philosophy about pursuing our work and pursuing our goals.”

According to Matheson, the school board has been evaluating Rieger – similar to how teachers are evaluated – for the two years that she’s been in office. For the past month or so, the board and Rieger have been in negotiations about her separation. All the while, according to the spokesperson, Rieger worked continuously for the students of the district and the board worked with her on different initiatives.

“So the board hires superintendents and then it’s their job to evaluate superintendents and then it’s their job to work with the superintendent to have her or him move forward with the district,” Matheson said. “And then the board, as an organization, and the superintendent, as an individual, can decide this isn’t a good fit.”

That’s what happened here, according to Matheson.

Also on Wednesday, the board appointed Dr. Art Jarvis as interim superintendent, effective July 1. Jarvis is a former superintendent of the Tacoma and Enumclaw school districts.

Sheryl Moore, assistant superintendent for Human Resources, has taken over as acting superintendent through June 30. At Wednesday’s meeting, she said her top three goals were to serve Renton’s scholars, provide daily and transparent communication to the board and make a smooth transition for leadership to bring Jarvis on board.

Reaction on social media has expressed sadness and curiosity at Rieger’s departure. At Wednesday’s school board meeting Board member Todd Franceschina said he thinks that Jarvis can lead the district during this time.

“I believe in this district and the staff in this district,” said Franceschina.

This development is a first for the Renton School District. The previous superintendent, Mary Alice Heuschel left the position because she was hired by newly elected Gov. Jay Inslee. The two prior superintendents Dolores Gibbons and Gary Kohlwes both retired out of the position.