Manchester Township School District Business Administrator, Peter Corigliano, announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2008, at the October Board of Education meeting.

Corigliano said that he wasn’t planning to retire quite so soon but has decided to relocate to Florida due to family considerations.  “It was a difficult decision but I’m confident that the district is now on a firm foundation, financially and facilities-wise, to allow a smooth transition upon my retirement,” he said.  “Of course I will miss everyone in the district who I have worked with over the years and I want to thank everyone – administrators, my business department staff, the central office staff, Dr. DeFeo, the Board of Education, and the entire faculty and support staff – for their dedication and support during my years in Manchester.  It truly is a team effort here and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

Corigliano came to the Manchester School District in 1986 as Facilities Director.  He was appointed Assistant to the Business Administrator in November of 1994 and Business Administrator upon receiving certification in 1996.  He has also served as School Board Secretary since 1994.  Under Corigliano’s leadership, the district has gained a reputation for financial excellence, receiving the prestigious Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting every year for the past 11 years.  Only one other district in the state has surpassed this record. 

“I have been in many districts in my career and I have never met a Business Administrator better than Peter,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William DeFeo.  “He is able to combine the two most important facets of the job: first, the finances – he is an expert in that field – and second, he is also an expert in the buildings and grounds area.  That is a rare combination.”

Corigliano crafted 13 budgets during his tenure, with 9 out of 13 passing.  He was a consistent guiding force through a turbulent period of interim and acting superintendents in 1996 and 1997, before DeFeo arrived, and was personally recognized by ASBO with a Meritorious Award for keeping the district on track financially during this time.

Among the accomplishments he is most proud of, said Corigliano, is the passing of several referendums for improvements to the district’s facilities during his tenure.  These include a 2002 referendum for a $30 million project to expand the high school, middle school and Whiting elementary school and a 1995 referendum to expand Ridgeway Elementary School.  As Facilities Director, he was also involved in the lease-purchase project to build Manchester Township Elementary School.  He is currently working on a planned Dec. 2008 referendum for additional facilities that he intends to have fully prepared before his retirement.  Another accomplishment was passing the rigorous state monitoring process with 100% compliance for the past two cycles, in 1998 and 2005 (monitoring takes place every 7 years).

Board of Education President, Mary Walter, commented, “Because of Peter’s honesty, high integrity and strong work ethic, with sound fiscal policies and practices he has built a very strong foundation for a clear financial future in the Manchester Township School District.  Not only did he build the foundation, but he started constructing solid walls. His preparation for budgets, meetings and any of his other responsibilities is so thorough and complete that Pete has always had the answers we need when we need them.  The board realized long ago that we can trust him to fulfill all of the duties of a business administrator and board secretary in every way.  We are going to miss Peter very much, but we wish him and his family all the best.  He has been a vital member of our team here in Manchester.”

DeFeo, who recently announced his own retirement at the end of the school year, said he has come to trust and depend on Corigliano during their 11 years working together.   “When I took the job of superintendent, my brother, who is also a superintendent, told me the only real trouble I could get into was if something happens to the money.  Well, I never had to worry about a penny of the money with Peter as my Business Administrator.  He has more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met.  He is an outstanding professional who has become a very good friend, and I will miss him a great deal.”