South Brunswick Superintendent Jerry Jellig Placed on Administrative Leave

South Brunswick, NJ - To the claps and cheers of many, Dr. Jerry Jellig, controversial superintendent of the South Brunswick schools, has been placed on administrative leave, the school board announced Monday night.

The Board of Education almost unanimously voted to place Jellig on leave. The only board member to not vote was Barry Nathanson, who had to leave the meeting early due to an illness, said board member Dr. Stephen Parker. Nathanson is widely seen as an ally of Jellig.

Richard Cromey will be the acting superintendent in his absence.

It is a paid administrative leave, so Jellig will collect his full salary, said Derlys Gutierrez, an attorney representing the board. She said the board has to decide what steps to take next, and that remains unknown at this time. Jellig still has three years left in his five-year contract with the district. He is paid $177,500 a year.

"Dr. Jellig is placed on leave until further notice. Since this is a personnel matter, the board is not allowed to discuss anything further and we ask that everyone respect Dr. Jellig's privacy," said Parker. "There will be another meeting with the board representatives and SBEA leadership to discuss all kinds of labor disputes."

Parker also said the Board is exploring an exit interview with Jellig.

Jellig has been under intense criticism from both South Brunswick teachers and parents alike. More than 200 parents, teachers and union reps. rallied before the meeting to protest Jellig and call for his removal. Teachers cited mismanagement of funds, poor management, anti-unionism, tension and just an overall lack of morale in the two years since Jellig came on as superintendent in 2014. The issues under Jellig's tenure have rattled the South Brunswick school district, which prides itself as one of the best in the state.

Hundreds clapped and cheered as John Lolli, president of the teachers' union, thanked the board for their action.

"We are empowered by your action tonight," said Lolli, a high school economics teacher. "You heard us and together we will restore South Brunswick to what it has always been: excellence."