Manchester Lauds Outgoing School Board President's Service

MANCHESTER, NJ —For more than 20 years, Donald Webster Jr. has given his time and energy to the Manchester Township School District, doing the work that helps teachers and administrators do their jobs with the students.

The Board of Education, where he has served since 1997, took time out at its December meeting to honor him for that time and for his efforts for the students of Manchester. Webster was defeated in his re-election bid in November.

Webster was part of a group of parents who won election to the school board at a time the board was experiencing of a number of issues, Manchester Superintendent David Trethaway said.

"Mr. Webster and this group brought professionalism and organization to the board," Trethaway said.

Webster's three children are now adults, but he continued to serve, along the way becoming a certified master board member and then a certified board leader, the high level of board member certification.

In addition to serving as president of the Manchester board, Webster served as the president of the New Jersey School Boards Association from 2015-2017, and was its vice president for finance prior to that.

Trethaway said Webster provided tremendous leadership, both for the board and for Trethaway, and was a leader statewide in advocating for school safety, sustainability, and federal funding.

Webster, a retired financial planner, thanked Trethaway, Business Administrator Craig Lorentzen, all of his fellow board members past and present, former superintendent William DeFeo, and all of the administration and staff for their support over the years.

"We’ve come a long way," Webster said, recalling the chaos that existed when he was first elected. "We’ve accomplished quite a bit in this district and I think people have noticed.”

Superintendent David Trethaway (right) presents outgoing BOE President Donald Webster Jr. with an appreciation plaque at the Dec. 19, meeting. Photo by Lee Bruzaitis, Manchester Township Schools