Bedford Appoints New Jersey Educator as New Superintendent
The Bedford Central School District announced Wednesday that a veteran New Jersey educator has been selected to become the district’s next permanent superintendent.
Trustees sent out an e-mail blast informing the community of the appointment of Dr. Christopher Manno, currently chief school administrator of the Burlington County Special Services School District/Burlington County Institute of Technology. He is scheduled to start in Bedford July 1.
Manno has served in the dual role for about two years, successfully improving shared services, operations and efficiencies while overseeing 44 school districts throughout the southern New Jersey county.
He has been unanimously selected by the Bedford Board of Education from a field of about 40 candidates. He will be formally appointed by the board at its Apr. 13 meeting.
Trustees noted Manno’s record has included high academic achievement while overcoming fiscal challenges.
“We were particularly impressed with his record of being a community and team builder,” the board’s message read in part. “Even as he navigated some rough waters in previous districts, he built relationships and brought people into the process using a collaborative leadership approach-all the while providing opportunities for students and staff to thrive.”
Bedford is in the midst of a financial firestorm, facing deep staff and program cuts as a result of an $8.8 million budget deficit. While it will receive an additional $754,000 in state aid next year in the recently approved 2016-17 state budget, it is not yet known how school officials will close the deficit.
Manno succeeds Interim Superintendent John Chambers. Last year, the vacancy was created after Dr. Jere Hochman, who arrived in Bedford in 2008, was tabbed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as his deputy secretary of education.
Before his latest job, Manno was superintendent of the Burlington Township School District from 2005 to 2013. During his last year at Burlington he was named New Jersey State Superintendent of the Year. For the previous seven years he worked in the Montgomery Township School District, serving as director of curriculum and instruction, then assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction (2002-2005) in Montgomery Township. Earlier in his career, Manno taught middle school and high school math and was recognized as best teacher in Somerset County, where he was also a track and field, cross country and swimming coach.
Manno earned his bachelor’s degree and two masters from The College of New Jersey and his doctorate from Rutgers.
Next Wednesday’s board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a reception to welcome Manno to the district.
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