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Old Bridge Township Board of Education names Dr. Bernard Bragan interim superintendent; some members press for explanation
Summary
The Old Bridge Township Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Bernard Bragan as interim superintendent beginning Sept. 1; board members and the public were told the permanent search continues through Oct. 28 and some trustees questioned why an internal candidate was not selected for the short‑term post.
The Old Bridge Township Board of Education on July 22 appointed Dr. Bernard Bragan to serve as interim superintendent beginning Sept. 1.
President opened the special meeting by reviewing the superintendent search process and timelines, saying the board had received 15 applications and worked with search firm HYA to schedule focus groups and public sessions. "Doctor Bragan will be our interim superintendent starting September 1," the president said, welcoming him to the district.
Several trustees defended selecting an experienced external interim for a short term while the permanent search proceeds. One board member said the board used a common set of interview questions and scoring metrics to evaluate both internal and external applicants, and that the interim role requires prior superintendent experience to provide immediate oversight for a large district.
But board member Mr. Dunn, who said he was conflicted out of parts of the search because his wife works in the district, pressed the board for more transparency and asked why internal candidates were not chosen for a 4½‑month interim. "Why do we choose someone for 4 and a half months who really has no background with our district?" Mr. Dunn asked, saying staff and the public deserve an explanation for excluding internal applicants.
A colleague replied that only a small number of internal applicants had applied for the interim and that the permanent search will treat internal and external candidates equally. The board also noted concern that elevating a central‑office administrator into an interim role could leave that administrator without a position if they were not selected permanently.
The board did not state on the record whether Dr. Bragan intends to apply for the permanent superintendent position; trustees said the search firm will continue accepting applications, build a leadership profile from community input, and present a slate to the board for interviews. The board has scheduled two full Saturdays for interviews and set a goal of voting on the permanent superintendent at its Oct. 28 meeting.
The meeting recorded motions on certificated personnel items 1 and 2, which the board approved before announcing the interim appointment.
The board plans public sessions and focus groups this fall so staff and community members can give input on the leadership profile that HYA will post for prospective candidates.
The board moved into executive session at the end of the meeting; no further public action was taken during the session.
