LACEY – While the district’s new superintendent was named, the acting superintendent received strong praise during the most recent Board of Education meeting.
Lanoka Harbor Elementary School Principal Dr. Jeffrey Brewer was announced as the new superintendent. School Board President Kim Klaus said he “brings an exceptional wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and deep-rooted dedication to this role, having served the Lacey Township School District for the past 26 years.”
She said Brewer has been a high school science teacher, dean of discipline, and vice principal at the high school prior to becoming Lanoka principal 14 years ago. His own education includes a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum from Nova Southeastern University.
“His extensive academic background, combined with his proven track record of administrative success across multiple grade levels, uniquely positions him to lead our district forward,” she said.
Students, families, staff, and community members were invited to a welcoming reception for Dr. Brewer on Friday, June 26th at 5:15 p.m. in the Lacey Township High School Lecture Hall.
Acting Superintendent Praised
During a recent Board of Education meeting, Board President Klaus provided words of gratitude for Acting Superintendent William Zylinski’s leadership.
Zylinski has worked for the Lacey Township School District since 2003 and previously served as Principal and Vice Principal of Lacey Township High School for nine years, according to his staff profile.
“You stepped up into this dual role of assistant superintendent and acting superintendent over a year ago. Your leadership, confidence, and vision went far beyond what I had anticipated,” Klaus said. “We owe Mr. Zylinski an immense debt of gratitude for stepping up when this district needed him the most.”
“Because of his relentless focus and dedication, we stand here tonight and proudly say we are more than a thriving district,” she said. “Mr. Zylinski spent his days walking our halls, listening to our challenges, and motivating our staff many times when we were overwhelmed. He didn’t just demand higher standards, he rolled up his sleeves and helped us reach them.”
Klaus said that their school rankings have improved, their grade level scores have risen, and their SAT averages have climbed under Zylinski’s leadership.
“But, your impact goes far beyond the numbers. Mr. Zylinski, you didn’t just lead us through academic improvements, you’ve transformed our culture. I have heard it time and time again – ‘I am working harder because of Will.’”
“You provided steady guidance to our administrative team, spearheaded our referendum campaign, ensured we hit every single one of our goals this year,” she said. “As you prepare to pass the torch, please know that you lit a fire that will continue to burn bright. We enter the next chapter for our schools with incredible confidence, knowing that you have built an unbreakable foundation.”
Teacher Contracts
Also during the meeting, Jennifer Bentley, Vice President of the Lacey Township Teacher Education Association and third grade teacher at Lanoka Harbor Elementary School voiced her discontent that the district enters their second summer without a contract.
In speaking about the lack of contract, she said, “In speaking about Lacey pride, the LTA finds itself at a crossroads yet again this June and we are extremely disheartened.”
She said that this has been the third time this has happened in the last five years.
“We are waiting for the fact finding that will begin at the end of June, but please remember that our negotiation process started in March of 2025.”
“As we head into our summer, many of us have started and/or are preparing to work both our second and third jobs to make ends meet. Please, we ask the board of education to do the right thing and show us that you care and value us.”
Bentley said, “It is unfathomable that a zero percent raise was budgeted for our raises in 2025 and that the only offer we have received thus far was for a two percent raise.”
“As we get ready to head into fact finding, one can only wonder what the outcome will be. We hope that it will be something fair and equitable, like our child study team colleagues and others in Ocean County,” she said.
“Again, Lacey is the only school [district] in Ocean County that has been working without a contract, and other districts have had their budgets slashed like ours,” she said, referring to districts that have lost millions in state aid.
“Spending has happened all year, but not on staff, and that speaks volumes about our district’s priorities,” she said. “The salaries of our administrators and non-aligned staff are approved, [and] the child study team settled a contract. Projects and remodels have been approved at various locations, and yet there has been no movement with contract negotiations for our staff that shows up every day.”
Chris Lundy contributed to this story.
