MANCHESTER – While she isn’t new to the school district, the township’s new interim school superintendent, Diane Pedroza introduced herself to the public recently following her appointment last month.
The Board of Education unanimously approved the termination of Superintendent John Berenato and the hiring of Pedroza during an emergency meeting held on Election Night leaving some unanswered questions in the crowded meeting room.
Berenato had become a controversial figure following a lawsuit in State Superior Court in October that named him, the Board of Education and several school administrators. The suit was filed by Whiting Elementary School Principal Evelyn Swift.
She is accusing Berenato of being the spearhead of a strategic and coordinated effort to bully, harass and intimidate her.
Pedroza recently offered a public statement to the parents and residents of Manchester: “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Manchester Township Board of Education and the entire community for having confidence in choosing me as Manchester Township School District’s Interim Superintendent of Schools.
“My professional career has been dedicated to the students, staff and families of Manchester Township for 23 years. It has been my pleasure and privilege to have spent my entire career educating the students and supporting the families and staff of Manchester. It is an incredible honor to now serve as your Interim Superintendent,” she said.
Pedroza added, “Manchester has been my home since I began as an English Teacher at Manchester Township Middle School in 2000. My administrative career began in 2007, when I became vice principal and eventually acting principal at MTMS. I was fortunate enough to continue my journey as the Principal at Ridgeway Elementary School.”
“For the last eight years, I have served as Manchester Township School District’s Director of Curriculum. I am excited to bring my diverse experience to my new role. I have a deep dedication to the students, families, and community,” she added.
Pedroza said, “Manchester Pride is woven into who I am and everything that I do. I believe that when it comes to education ‘it takes a village,’ and I am grateful that you are all a part of this village. Together we will foster our motto “Excellence by Example” by keeping it at the forefront of everything we do.”
A resident contacted The Manchester Times questioning certain Board members’ ability to vote on personnel issues, stating they accepted a large donation towards their campaign from the Manchester Township Education Association via the New Jersey Education Association.
Business Administrator Craig A. Lorentzen told The Manchester Times after speaking with the school district’s Labor Attorney that there was no conflict of interest concerning the Board members who unanimously voted to terminate Berenato’s employment.
“The current state of the School Ethics Act is that per Advisory Opinion A13-02, Board members who were formally endorsed by the local NJEA affiliate have a one-year exclusion from collective bargaining,” Lorentzen said.
“The distinction between acting and interim superintendents is minimal,” he added. “In general, both are appointed under the authority of N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1.1 ‘temporary officers,’ but an interim is usually appointed for a fixed term.”
“An acting superintendent is usually appointed on an emergent or shorter-term basis at a daily rate. In this case since Mr. Berenato was terminated, the appointment of Mrs. Pedroza as interim superintendent for the fixed period of November 8 – June 30, 2024 seemed more appropriate. The term ‘interim’ is not solely tied to retirees who fill these positions,” he added regarding another procedural question.
As to the specific reasons for Berenato’s termination, they were not outlined during the special meeting of the Board. Lorentzen said, “we cannot comment on the reasons for the termination of Mr. Berenato at this time.”
He added that by procedure, “absences are approved in advance with the exception of sick and personal days which do not need pre-approval.”
Prior to the special meeting of the Board, a petition was posted to Change.org that called for the school board to suspend Berenato and launch an investigation into the lawsuit’s allegations. The petition has reached more than 1,000 signatures.
Prior to joining the School District as superintendent in February 2022, Berenato served as supervisor of curriculum in Springfield Township, director of curriculum in Little Egg Harbor, director of math and science for Pinelands Regional schools, and assistant superintendent for Little Egg Harbor.
Berenato didn’t respond to a request for comment by The Manchester Times.
Swift, who was present at the special meeting could not speak about the legal matter either. She noted in her lawsuit that stress caused by the conditions listed in the suit has made her seek twice a month therapy and also caused increased insomnia and negatively impacted her blood pressure.
According to the lawsuit, Swift is seeking compensation for damages, corrective action and other relief from the court.
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