Renton School Board members at their regular meeting this week discussed offering Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, an additional one year contract, having him remain in the district through June 2017.

According to a press release, board members individually cited Jarvis’ work to provide experienced guidance, expertise and leadership for the district as reasons to ask Jarvis to remain as superintendent for another school year. Also cited was the sense of purpose and direction that Jarvis brings to teachers and support staff as the district moves forward with big initiatives, and more importantly, ensuring the more than 15,000 students are provided the best possible education.

“There is such strong positive momentum, I don’t want to disrupt the hard work being done by our dedicated staff members,” Board President Pam Teal said on why Jarvis should stay.

Jarvis said he was honored by the board’s confidence in him to continue leadership of the district.

“It’s nice to be valued and appreciated for the work you do,” he said. “My job is to ensure every student, teacher and staff member in the Renton School District also feel that same sense of value and appreciation.”

Board members voted to allow to negotiate a new contract with Jarvis through July 2017.

Jarvis has nearly 50 years of experience in education, serving as junior high and high school teacher in Waitsburg, Wash., and managing school district operations such as human resources, curriculum and instruction, special education, finance and others. He has served as a superintendent for 28 years in small, medium and large districts including Tacoma, Shelton, Enumclaw and South Whidbey.

Dr. Jarvis holds a B.A. in economics, social studies-education from the University of Washington; a M.Ed. in special learning problems and special education; and an Ed.D. in education administration-policy and governance. He was selected by peers as the 2009 Washington State Superintendent of the Year.

Jarvis was named interim superintendent following the resignation of Superintendent Merri Rieger in May for “differing viewpoints” between her and the Board of Directors. Board members have yet to comment what those differences were.