Manchester Superintendent's Contract Topic Of Special Board Meeting

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 7, to discuss the contract of Superintendent John Berenato.

The special meeting was announced Tuesday in a public notice posted on the district's website.

The meeting is set for 5 p.m. at Manchester Township Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road, Manchester.

"The meeting will be open to the public and action may be taken," the notice says.

Berenato has come under public fire after a Patch report on a lawsuit filed by Whiting Elementary Principal Evelyn Swift, who accuses Berenato and other administrators of age, gender and racial discrimination. Read more: Superintendent Tried To Force Me To Retire: Manchester Principal

An internet-based letter-writing campaign, Action Network, says more than 2,100 letters have been sent to the school board urging it to suspend Berenato while an investigation takes place.

A Change.org petition urging the board to investigate the allegations had nearly 400 signatures.

Berenato was signed to a five-year contract when he became superintendent in February 2022. His base salary is $178,606, according to information provided by the school district when he was hired.