Manchester school board to hold meeting on superintendent at center of lawsuit
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Nov. 7 to discuss the contract of Superintendent John Berenato, who has become a controversial figure in the community since a lawsuit filed against him by an elementary school principal became public knowledge.
Whiting Elementary School Principal Evelyn Swift sued Berenato in October and accused him of "spearhead(ing) a strategic and coordinated effort to bully, harass and intimidate" her, on the basis that Swift is Black, female and in her mid-50s, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in state Superior Court, Ocean County.
In the lawsuit, Swift accused Berenato of trying to transfer her to a school with a greater proportion of Hispanic students, made comments about the changes in Manchester, and made comments about her race and age.
She also alleges in the lawsuit that the superintendent scrutinized her attendance, recommended converting her office to a special needs "reset room" for students, and treated her differently and unfairly compared to other administrators.
Berenato joined Manchester as superintendent on February 2, 2022. He previously worked 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, according to the Manchester Township School District website.
He could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.
A petition posted to Change.org called for the school board to suspend Berenato and launch an investigation into the lawsuit's allegations. The petition had gathered more than 380 signatures as of Tuesday.
The school board will meet at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Manchester Township Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road. The meeting is open to the public.
Related: Manchester school leader headed "calculated crusade of intolerance": principal's lawsuit
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 15 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Manchester to discuss superintendent's contract following lawsuit
