Bernie Mahar, principal of South Whidbey Primary School, resigned her position Tuesday.

District officials put Mahar on paid, administrative leave on

Jan. 25, pending the outcome of an investigation related to a “management issue” at the school.

Superintendent Fred McCarthy said earlier the investigation had nothing to do with students at the school.

McCarthy said he has brought someone in from outside the school district to investigate, but would not give details.

However, the Island County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they were contacted by the South Whidbey School District.

“Det. Mark Plumberg is investigating a matter at the district. I can’t comment on an open investigation,” said Island County Sheriff Sheriff Mark Brown.

Det. Plumberg said they were contacted to investigate an accounting anomaly.

News of Mahar’s resignation was made public by the South Whidbey School District in a press release sent to The Record and in a letter sent home with students Friday.

Jan McNeeley, a teacher at South Whidbey Primary School, was named to replace Mahar as director at the primary school.

A substitute will be hired to replace McNeeley as elementary Physical Education specialist, McCarthy said.

McCarthy said that Eric Nerison, principal of the Intermediate School, would supervise McNeely.

“Eric Nerison will assume a supervisory role over both the Primary and the Intermediate schools to comply with various requirements for a certificated administrator,” McCarthy said. “Assistance is also being provided at the Intermediate School by Val Brown, who will be assisting Nerison with the day-to-day operations of the intermediate school.”

Mahar did not respond to telephone calls from The Record.

In the announcement Friday, district officials praised school employees for the way they handled the situation.

“This has been a very difficult challenge for all of us,” the release said. “The staff at the Primary School has performed in an exemplary professional manner this past week. They have stepped up to meet this challenge by working together, taking care of one another, and keeping the needs of our students foremost in their minds. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our families as we work through these matters.”

Gayle Saran can be reached at 221-5300 or gsaran@southwhidbeyrecord.com.