South Brunswick Assistant Superintendent Will Retire This Year

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The assistant superintendent of South Brunswick schools is retiring, Patch has learned. Joanne Kerekes submitted her resignation last night, Monday, schools superintendent Dr. Gary McCartney told Patch. She called "leaving my beloved South Brunswick heart-wrenching."

Kerekes is a well-liked school official in the high-performing South Brunswick district and has been employed with the district for the past 43 years. 26 of those years were as assistant superintendent. She started her career as a teacher in the East Windsor School District and then moved on to serve as principal of many South Brunswick schools, including Dayton-Deans, Monmouth Junction and Crossroads North Middle School.

Kerekes said last year she would retire at the end of 2016, but then decided to stay on after the ouster of Dr. Jerry Jellig, the former South Brunswick superintendent who was deeply unpopular and was removed by the school board last May, which Patch extensively reported on.

"When I rejoined the district last spring, I knew that I was returning to a hefty to-do list, and had originally thought that I would be able to whittle it down by mid-year," Kerekes told Patch. "But … the list did not diminish. Instead it grew, and as I shared with my staff, the days became weeks, the weeks became months, and here it is, over one year since my return, and I am still here! Not only was there much work to be done, but I love what I do, and I love with whom I do it (staff, students, parents, administrators, community members) so staying a bit longer than planned was a continued joy for me."

The process of finding a new assistant superintendent falls to the new incoming superintendent, Scott Feder. There will be a selection and interview process.

Dr. McCartney was only a temporary superintendent as well, so this news mean both he and Kerekes will be leaving the district after this school year. Brand-new leadership will be in charge of South Brunswick schools this fall.

"Now, I have that sense of 'mission accomplished.' I feel that Dr. McCartney and I are leaving the district in a very good place — one of strength, solidity and calm," Kerekes said. "This allows me to take leave with an assuredness that all will be well. Our new superintendent, a dear personal friend and long-time colleague, is inheriting a wonderful organization. He will take good care of it; this I know to be true."