The agreement ending Lynn Spampinato's employment with the Pittsburgh Public Schools offers no insight into her abrupt departure and was written so as to minimize the taxpayers' chances of learning what went wrong.

The school board approved the agreement with Dr. Spampinato and announced key details last week. The school district released a copy of the agreement yesterday, after board President Bill Isler signed it.

Dr. Spampinato lasted less than a year as the district's deputy superintendent for instruction, assessment and accountability.

Under the agreement, the district will pay her $213,333 for consulting work through April 15, 2008; in return, she agreed not to sue the district and to relinquish her post.

According to the agreement, when making public remarks about each other, the parties must closely adhere to a five-paragraph statement Superintendent Mark Roosevelt released Nov. 13 when he recommended making her a consultant.

The statement, written with the input of Joel Sansone, Dr. Spampinato's lawyer, describes her as a productive employee.

Neither the statement nor the agreement offers insight into why Mr. Roosevelt placed Dr. Spampinato on paid leave Oct. 16 -- something the parties repeatedly have refused to discuss. Dr. Spampinato joined the district Dec. 28 with a three-year contract and base salary of $160,000 a year.

In the agreement, Dr. Spampinato promises not to disparage Mr. Roosevelt, board members or the district.

Except for the five-paragraph statement, she must not "disclose any information regarding the existence, negotiation or substance of this agreement."

For its part, the school district acknowledges no mistreatment of Dr. Spampinato. She will be paid the $213,333 in three installments -- $128,000 by Dec. 1, $42,667 by March 31 and $42,666 by Oct. 31.

The agreement says Dr. Spampinato will perform work designated by the district and may be asked for quarterly reports.

District Solicitor Ira Weiss last week said Dr. Spampinato will receive the $213,333 regardless of the amount of work she performs.

Dr. Spampinato may contact district personnel only with permission from Mr. Roosevelt or his designee.

The district is free to hire another deputy superintendent, according to the agreement.