More than 200 people are expected to protest Monday's South Brunswick Board of Education meeting on Monday.
Tensions have continued to escalate between the South Brunswick teacher's union and the school administration. A protest is planned for Monday, May 9, 2016. Pictured here, a 2000 photo of a teacher walking the halls of South Brunswick High School. SOUTH BRUNSWICK -- Tensions have continued to escalate between the school district's teachers union and the district's administration led by Superintendent Dr. Jerry Jellig.
On Monday, more than 200 people -- including teachers, parents, and representatives from both the local and statewide teachers union -- are expected to protest at the South Brunswick Board of Education meeting over growing anger at Jellig's leadership. Jellig, a former principal in South Jersey, began his role in South Brunswick two years ago.
The protest, dubbed the "Rally to demand accountability for ongoing district issues," will be held at Crossroads North Middle School at 635 Georges Rd, Monmouth Junction, at 6:15 p.m.
Last November, the district's teachers union, the South Brunswick Education Association (SBEA), filed several grievances against the administration alleging numerous unfair labor practices. The grievances alleged Jellig habitually intimated teachers and union members with differing views.
Jellig did not return a request for comment regarding the allegations.
Jellig allegedly intimidated two teachers last fall after they had attended a union meeting after school, according to Tom Hayden, a representative for the New Jersey Education Association, the statewide teachers union that represents the 720 teachers in South Brunswick.
The grievances were filed with the Public Employment Relations Commission in November last year. A neutral arbitrator is currently hearing the matter in Trenton.
In a statement, SBEA President John Lolli alleged that in addition to intimidation, there had also been "a quid pro quo promotional process, inappropriate and unprofessional administrative conduct, questionable spending habits, and antagonist anti-union animus behavior."
"It's time for this board of education to stop avoiding the responsibilities they have sworn to uphold," Lolli said. "Our community, our staff, and our children deserve more--they deserve a district that is worthy of respect, not a place rife with unrest and unethical behaviors."
Questions have also been raised about the way Jellig has spent taxpayer money on certain school district projects, including a renovation project late last year for a meeting room at the school district's office. Hayden alleged that Jellig went ahead and built himself a $10,000 kitchenette that he did not disclose he was building to the public. The project, which was completed in February, ended up going over budget, Hayden said.
The South Brunswick Board of Education, according to Hayden, is also conducting "an investigation into the central office administration, and the application of district policies and procedures."
He noted, however, that the investigation is not targeted at "any one specific person."
Stephen F. Parker, president of the South Brunswick Board of Education, did not respond to a request for comment.
Hayden also alleges that Jellig used his school district "professional development days" -- time off not attributed to district employees' personal or sick time -- to travel to India in March.
He said he could not find any evidence that the board had approved the professional development days for the trip, which would have been required.
Hayden called on the board of education to "do its job."
"It is their responsibility to control this guy," Hayden said. "So if they can't control him, they need to do what they need to do; but they need to get him under control."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.