Parents, Teachers Chant "Dump the Superintendent" Outside South Brunswick Board of Ed. Meeting

There has never been a crowd outside Crossroads North Middle School like there was Monday evening.

More than 200 South Brunswick teachers, parents and union representatives called in from across the state gathered to express their fury mainly at one individual: Dr. Jerry Jellig, embattled superintendent of South Brunswick schools. Many here tonight said they want to see Jellig fired. Others said the Board of Education is intimidated by Jellig and afraid to hold him accountable for a litany of problems going on in the district.

"Dump the super!" shouted South Brunswick parents and teachers alike, standing outside Crossroads North.

Many teachers tried to hide their faces or turned their backs as Patch took photos to document the protest. But parents proudly displayed their signs and voiced their criticism of both Jellig and the Board of Education.

"We want the Board of Education to do their job and oversee the superintendent," said parent Anil Patel. "They work for the parents and taxpayers of South Brunswick; they don't work for Dr. Jellig."

The Board of Education seems intimidated by Jellig, he added.

"There has never been a problem like this in South Brunswick. There have never been so many complaints filed against the super. Something is going on and the Board does not see it," he said.

As Patch has reported, the teachers' union has filed four separate grievances against the school district and Jellig. Two may likely head to court. Flyers handed out by the teachers' union accused Board members of being "tuned out."

Some teachers vent anonymously

Since Jellig took office in 2014, the entire culture in the school district has changed, said one teacher, who did not want to give her name for fear of retribution.

"There has been mismanagement of funds; he doesn't honor the teachers' contract, he's made poor spending choices," chimed in another teacher, who also wanted to remain anonymous. "He promotes only people he likes and demotes those he doesn't. The whole morale of the district is in the toilet."

Female teachers in the district also report feeling intimidated and uncomfortable, they both said, but said they don't have any more details on that.

Both teachers said they want to see the Board of Ed. fire Jellig. He was given a five-year contract when hired, and still has three years remaining.

The Board of Ed. meets inside the school at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Patch is here covering the meeting, where John Lolli, president of the teachers' union, is expected to speak about Jellig before the board. Jellig does not appear to be at the meeting.