Former Edison School Superintendent Will Lead South Brunswick District

EDISON, NJ – The South Brunswick Board of Education has selected Bernard Bragen as the district's new superintendent, concluding what board officials described as a “lengthy” and “intensive” search process.

Bragen brings three decades of educational experience to the position, having served in roles ranging from special education teacher to superintendent across several districts.

Recently, he took up a new role as interim superintendent at Old Bridge Public Schools.

For the past 14 years, he worked as a superintendent, most recently overseeing Montgomery County Public Schools in Christiansburg, Virginia.

In 2022, Bragen left the Edison School District after negotiations on a contract extension failed.

Bragen was hired in Edison on a three-year contract ending June 30, 2023. In 2020, he asked the Board for an extension of two years but was given one year instead.

Bragen was formally introduced to the South Brunswick community during the Monday night Board meeting.

"Dr. Bragen has been in the field of education for the past 30 years," said Board President Laura Hernandez. "We had a strong pool of applicants, but I am so confident that we chose the perfect candidate for South Brunswick."

Bragen expressed gratitude for the opportunity and humility about returning to New Jersey. "I went to school in Edison Township. I worked in Edison Township, and we always looked on the other side of the county," he said, referencing South Brunswick. "The fact that I have an opportunity to lead it is really humbling."

He said that leadership success comes from collaboration. "As a leader and as a superintendent, your job is as a catalyst to put the right people in the right positions to be successful," he said. "I was very fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with some really great people and that we did all of that together."

Bragen will officially begin his tenure on Dec. 1. The board voted unanimously to approve his appointment.

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