Jenkintown Schools Superintendent Announces Retirement

JENKINTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Embattled Jenkintown Borough Schools Superintendent Jill Takacs is sticking around for the rest of the school year.

The question, though, is whether Takacs will return to active duty after taking temporary paid leave.

School Board President Megan O'Brien said that Takacs informed school directors that she would retire at the end of her current term, which concludes on Aug. 31, 2026.

Earlier this month, O'Brien announced to the school community that Takacs — the school district's superintendent since the fall of 2016 — was on temporary paid leave. No reason was given by O'Brien for the decision.

O'Brien told Patch on Thursday that a search for the school district's next superintendent will take place sometime next fall.

She said that Steven Van Mater, the district's director of human resources and curriculum, is serving as the substitute superintendent.

When asked whether Takacs would return to active status, O'Brien said she had "no futher information to share about the leave" due to it being a personnel matter.

Before her tenure, Takacs was the assistant superintendent of the Middletown Township Public Schools in Middletown, N.J.

As an educator for 35 years, she has served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, and acting superintendent.

She has been recognized and awarded on the state and local levels for her educational contributions with these endeavors including the 2015 Governor’s Educational Services Professionals Award, and has been featured on the New Jersey Department of Education’s website promoting educational initiatives, according to the school district's website.

Takacs has come under fire by some community members for her leadership of the school district.

At the school board's Sept. 8 meeting, O'Brien thanked residents for speaking out about the school district's leadership issues.

"Please know the board is listening, and we do value the perspectives of all stakeholders — residents, parents, teachers, and students alike," O'Brien said.