The Manchester Township School District in Ocean County is facing mounting legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by former superintendent John Berenato. Berenato alleges he was wrongfully terminated due to his identity as a gay man.
Berenato claims the Manchester Board of Education orchestrated a targeted campaign to remove him due to his sexual orientation. The controversial removal, allegedly driven by discriminatory attitudes and pressure from certain community members, has led to an outcry across the state. This lawsuit is just one of three pending cases accusing the district of violating New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws.
Joining Berenato in pursuing legal action are former district employees Bridget Antonucci and Lori Burns, who have also filed complaints against the Manchester Board of Education and specific officials, including the newly hired superintendent Diane Pedrosa.
According to court documents, Antonucci, a heterosexual ally, was labeled “a member of the rainbow community” for her support of Berenato. She claims to have witnessed “disgusting, derogatory texts regarding sexual acts” sent by district board members to Berenato. These incidents left Antonucci “shocked and appalled,” as stated in her lawsuit.
Burns, a lesbian and former head of Manchester’s Pre-K program, resigned in June, citing a “hostile environment for diversity advocacy.” Both Burns and Berenato allege they faced open hostility, particularly during a contentious board meeting in October 2023 about transgender student policies. During the meeting, they were subjected to insults and labeled “dangerous” and “predatory,” according to their complaints.
This rise in contentious board meetings is not just an Ocean County-only occurrence. School districts across the Garden State have been bombarded with new exclusionary policies, which have increased exponentially in the last few years. Many experts say these discriminatory policies will complicate and harm the lives of trans children.
The lawsuits accuse the district of fostering a culture of bias and intolerance, fueled in part by conservative board members’ religious beliefs and fears of “pushing a homosexual agenda.” Parents in the district are also said to be a part of these movements, as are controversial groups like Moms for Liberty. Berenato recalls experiencing “open hostility and bias” despite the district’s motto, “Excellence by Example.” He contends that his dismissal was part of a broader effort to silence LGBTQ advocacy within the school system.
In response to the growing list of lawsuits, a district spokesperson stated, “We cannot provide any comment or information regarding pending litigation.”
The Manchester Township School District serves nearly 3,000 students from pre-K through high school, including many LGBTQ youth. Advocates argue that the actions of district leaders have a chilling effect on efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
These cases shine a critical spotlight on the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals and allies in education say LGBTQ advocates. The three plaintiffs seek damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and punitive measures against those responsible for the alleged misconduct.
