Manchester Superintendent Fired; Interim Appointed

This article was originally published Nov. 7, 2023

MANCHESTER, NJ — After three weeks of community uproar, Superintendent John Berenato has been fired by the Manchester Township Board of Education.

Berenato was fired by a unanimous vote of the board, after an executive session that lasted more than 90 minutes Tuesday night during a special meeting announced on Oct. 31.

Berenato was not present during the meeting, which was attended by an overflow audience, which erupted in applause at the announcement that he was being fired as of Tuesday.

Diane Pedroza, the district's director of curriculum, was appointed interim superintendent, prompting more cheers from the audience.

Berenato had been hired Feb. 2, 2022, and was given a five-year contract.