N.J. school board fired gay superintendent in anti-LGBTQ+ campaign, lawsuits say

The Manchester Township School District in Ocean County is facing multiple lawsuits, with one former superintendent arguing he was fired due to anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

John Berenato, who served as superintendent and is gay, claims the Manchester Board of Education fired him after community members and board officials targeted him in a campaign for his ouster.

Berenato’s lawsuit describes derogatory remarks and overt hostility from district staff and community members, which he says were part of an effort to dismantle LGBTQ+ protections and undermine his leadership.

His lawsuit against the district accuses officials of fostering a hostile work environment intolerant of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.

Two other former employees, Bridget Antonucci and Lori Burns, have also filed lawsuits against the district and various officials, including current Superintendent Diane Pedroza.

Pedroza did not respond to requests for comment. In an email on Monday, the district said it could not comment or provide information on pending litigation.

Antonucci, the former director of special services, claims that her support for state-mandated inclusive policies and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ colleagues led to targeted harassment and eventual termination. She states in her lawsuit a campaign of retaliation began in late 2023.

Burns, former director of early childhood education and a lesbian, says she experienced anti-LGBTQ+ comments from district officials who opposed her efforts to promote an inclusive curriculum.

Known for her work on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, Burns resigned in June, citing a hostile environment for diversity advocacy.

All three former employees accuse the district of violating New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws and are seeking damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and punitive measures against those involved.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.