Jenkintown Schools Superintendent Takes Leave Of Absence

JENKINTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Two weeks after the new year started, Schools Superintendent Jill A. Takacs has taken a leave of absence.

Jenkintown School Board President Megan O'Brien sent a message to the school community on behalf of the school board that Takacs is on temporary paid leave.

No reason was given by O'Brien for the decision.

In her absence, the school board has appointed Steven Van Mater, the district's director of human resources and curriculum, as the interim schools superintendent.

O'Brien said any questions from the community about Takacs should be directed to Van Mater.

Takacs has served as schools superintendent since the fall of 2016.

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.

Takacs has presented numerous seminars and workshops for the New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Learning Forward, National Association for Professional Development Schools, New Jersey superintendents’ organizations, as well as Rutgers and Monmouth Universities.

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.