Renton School Board Selects Rieger as New Superintendent

Renton School Board members have selected Dr. Merri Rieger as the new superintendent of the Renton School District.

Dr. Rieger is currently chief student achievement officer in the Kent School District. She has also served as assistant superintendent for learning and school improvement in Kent, high school principal in the Bremerton School District, and dean of students and high school teacher in the Auburn School District.  Dr. Rieger earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D at Washington State University.

Dr. Rieger will take office in Renton on July 1.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Merri Rieger as our new superintendent,” said Board President Lynn Desmarais. “Merri has the depth of experience and sense of vision that make her a perfect fit for the Renton School District.”

As one of three top candidates for superintendent, Dr. Rieger met with numerous community members and business leaders, as well as parents, teachers and staff, to discuss her qualifications and answer questions ranging from her leadership philosophy to why she chose to apply for the position. After each session, participants offered school board members their opinions about whether this candidate was the right fit for Renton.

“Renton’s reputation attracted a strong field of candidates due in part to the tremendous community support we receive,” said Desmarais, “and with the community's help in assessing leadership potential, Dr. Rieger rose to the top. Nearly forty people committed to spending several evenings with us, listening to interviews and offering comments to guide us in selecting our finalists, and many participated in the three day-long final selection process. As a result, the district has yet another highly capable leader, and our students and families will continue to benefit."

(Ed. Note: The information above was provided by a Renton School District news release.)