Manchester School Board Names New Superintendent

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Board of Education has hired John Berenato to be its next superintendent.

Berenato was formally approved at Wednesday's school board meeting. He is scheduled to start Feb. 2. He replaces David Trethaway, who is retiring Feb. 1 after 45 years in education, including the last 14 in Manchester.

Berenato agreed to a five-year contract, which business administrator Craig Lorentzen said was being finalized. He will receive a prorated salary for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year on a base amount of $170,000. In 2022-23, it increases to $174,250; in '23-24, to $178,606; in '24-25, to $183,071, and his salary for the 2025-26 school year will be $187,648.

In remarks after he was approved, Berenato addressed the effects of the pandemic on students and staff, and said he is ready to move the district forward.

"Our educational ecosystem was dramatically disrupted and affected by the global pandemic. We witnessed the entire school community embrace a new normal, riddled with new technology, during a time when there were so many questions and seemingly so few answers," said Berenato, who had been the assistant superintendent overseeing the Little Egg Harbor schools. "We learned that technology, when properly utilized, can accelerate learning, elevate and enhance our instructional practices, and improve communication to our whole community."

"It’s time for us to thrive, not just survive," he said. "Our next steps are critical and must properly address the unique needs of our community."

Board Vice President Melanie Biscardi, who chaired the superintendent search committee, said the committee interviewed more than 20 candidates before choosing Berenato.

"We saw that he had a plethora of knowledge as a former first grade and fourth grade inclusion teacher. He is aware of our at-risk students and how we can help them," Biscardi said. "He knows that we need to remediate and accelerate all of our learners, all the while being mindful of our budget."

Biscardi said Berenato also will address chronic absenteeism, bolstering math and language arts in the district, tackling dual enrollment programs with local colleges and creating academies in the high school to offer specialized, intensified instruction such as STEM, and more collaboration with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

"He sees how early education from prek-3rd grades, middle and high school grades are truly valuable," she said. "He wants to listen to the staff, students and families of this great community and see how we can make this district even better than what it is today. He truly takes pride in what he does and it was definitely evident in our interviews."

Berenato has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and psychology from The College of New Jersey, a master's in education technology from New Jersey City University, and has earned his special education certificate from TCNJ, his supervisor certificate from New Jersey City University, principal certificate from Rowan University, and his school administrator certificate from Caldwell University.

He is certified in elementary education for kindergarten through eighth grades and as a teacher of students with disabilities, and passed the middle school praxis to be certified as highly qualified in Language Arts and Literacy.

Berenato was a teacher in Marlboro, in the Upper Freehold Regional district, and in the Lawrence Township schools, according to his LinkedIn profile. In 2014 he became a curriculum supervisor in Springfield Township, for preschool through sixth grade curriculum. Biscardi said in Springfield he managed student achievement data collection and analysis, and collaborated with district literacy coaches. He also worked with families who were stationed at the Joint Base.

In 2016, he left Springfield to become a supervisor and then curriculum director in the Little Egg Harbor School District. Little Egg has since entered into a shared services agreement with Pinelands Regional School District and Berenato was director of math and science before becoming assistant superintendent, a move that allowed the two districts to save money.

He also helped create shared services for a technology coach, ESL teacher, behaviorist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, transitional guidance counselor, shared with Long Beach Township and Tuckerton Elementary School, Biscardi said. Berenato also oversaw the move of Bass River Elementary School students in Burlington County into the district.

"This man’s energy and zest for life along with education is something that really excited us and we know that the students, staff and community will feel the same," Biscardi said. "He wants to listen and build relationships in this district with the students, staff and families throughout our great community."

"I am ready to lead and support Manchester Township School District strategically and with the fortitude to overcome whatever obstacles lie ahead," Berenato said.

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