Former Manchester Township School District Superintendent John Berenato has reached a $265,000 settlement in his discrimination lawsuit against the Manchester Township Board of Education, resolving claims that he was fired because he is gay and because he supported policies protecting LGBTQ+ students.
The Board of Education approved the settlement during its June 16 meeting. It is separate from an earlier administrative ruling that found the district improperly terminated Berenato without following New Jersey’s statutory process for removing a tenured superintendent.
“This settlement allows me to close an important chapter of my life and focus on what comes next,” Berenato told Out in Jersey. “Like any significant life experience, there are lessons I’ll carry with me, but I don’t want to spend my life looking backward. I’m excited about the future.”
Berenato became superintendent in February 2022 before the board voted to dismiss him in November 2023. Officials maintained he failed to disclose a 2010 driving while intoxicated conviction on his employment application and cited concerns about leave time policies.
Berenato challenged those claims in a lawsuit filed in May 2024, arguing they served as a pretext for discrimination. He alleged board members and district officials targeted him because he was openly gay and because he supported state guidance protecting LGBTQ+ students, including gender-neutral graduation gowns and LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum. According to the complaint, some community members, union leaders and board members expressed concerns during his hiring process that he would promote what they characterized as a “gay agenda.”
“There was never an agenda,” Berenato said. “My responsibility as an educational leader has always been to follow New Jersey law, uphold Department of Education guidance, and make sure every student is treated with dignity and respect.”
The settlement follows a separate legal victory for Berenato before the New Jersey Commissioner of Education.
In an October 2025 final decision, the commissioner ruled Manchester violated state law by terminating Berenato without first pursuing the tenure-charge process required under the Tenure Employees Hearing Law. The decision ordered the district to reinstate him with back pay, benefits and other compensation, finding the board lacked authority to unilaterally terminate his contract regardless of the allegations against him.
Although reinstated, Berenato remained on administrative leave until his contract expired on June 30, 2026. The $265,000 settlement, paid by the district’s liability insurer, resolves only his Law Against Discrimination claims and is designated as compensation for non-economic personal injury.
Berenato’s allegations were followed by similar claims from several administrators he hired. Three former district employees have since filed lawsuits alleging anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination or retaliation.
Former Special Services Director Bridget Antonucci alleged she was harassed before her contract was not renewed. Early Childhood Education Director Lori Burns, who is openly lesbian, alleged she endured a hostile work environment and forced to resign because of her sexual orientation and support for LGBTQ+ policies. Former school psychologist Megan Capezzera alleged district officials targeted and harassed her for supporting Berenato and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Manchester Township Board of Education has previously declined to comment publicly on pending litigation and personnel matters. The settlement agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by the district.
“Public education needs talented, compassionate educators from every background and every walk of life,” Berenato said. “At the end of the day, what makes someone a great educator isn’t their sexual orientation or identity. It’s their character, integrity, compassion and commitment to helping children succeed.”
Berenato’s LinkedIn profile shows he has worked as assistant superintendent of business for the southern New Jersey Salem City School District since April.
