The Manchester Township Board of Education appointed a new Superintendent, David Trethaway, and Business Administrator, Craig Lorentzen, at their April 23 meeting.  Trethaway will replace retiring Superintendent, Dr. William E. DeFeo, and Lorentzen replaces retiring Business Administrator, Peter Corigliano, effective July 1, 2008.

Announcing the appointment, Board of Education President, Mary Walter, remarked, “The search for and selection of a superintendent of schools is an intense process that is widely considered to be the most important single decision made by a board of education.  Input from the various stakeholders in the district is taken into consideration so the new school leader will be the right match for Manchester Township.  The final decision belongs to the Board of Education as the elected representatives of the district. This is the same board that made a very successful appointment in 1997 with Dr. DeFeo, and upon his retirement, we believe we have made another wise choice with Mr. Trethaway.”

Trethaway is currently the Superintendent of Schools for the Central Regional School District, a position he has held since 2001.  Prior to that, he was Assistant Superintendent at Central, Acting Principal at Jackson Twp. High School, a Vice Principal, Supervisor of Basic Skills, and Mathematics Teacher in grades 7-12.  He is a graduate of Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and achieved his Masters in Education Administration at Georgian Court University.  He is currently the president of the NJ Association of School Administrators.

“Mr. Trethaway’s work in our neighboring district has been challenging and successful.  The implementation of a building referendum, partnerships with nearby districts and a solution to a proposed district dissolution have been some of the important tasks that he has dealt with in creating a positive educational climate,” said Walter.

Trethaway, who was present at the meeting, received a round of applause.  “I want to thank the Board of Education for the confidence you are showing in me,” he remarked.  “It was a difficult decision for me to leave Central, but I am very excited about coming to Manchester.  I have the utmost respect for Dr. DeFeo and Mr. Corigliano and I know that I have very big shoes to fill, but hopefully I will be able to do that.”

Walter explained that the process for the Business Administrator search is similar to that of the superintendent.  “After many years of successful business management under Mr. Corigliano, it was our mission to find a person with high integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.  Character of the individual remains very important to this board,” she said.  “Mr. Lorentzen stood out among all other applicants for these reasons.”

Lorentzen also comes to Manchester from the Central Regional School District, where he has been the Business Administrator/Board Secretary since 2006.  Prior to that he was Business Administrator/Board Secretary in Aberdeen, NJ and worked with an accounting firm in Toms River.  He earned his accounting degree at Rowan University and holds certification as a School Business Administrator as well as a Certified Public Accountant.

“I’m looking forward to working in Manchester,” said Lorentzen, who was unable to be at the meeting.  “They have a great reputation and a great board that supports the kids and supports education.  I am looking forward to working in that environment,”

“We stand by our belief that a strong, positive team, all working for the same goals for student achievement, will continue to provide a successful educational climate for our students and staff,” commented Walter.  She said that a reception is planned in the near future to introduce Trethaway and Lorentzen to staff, parents and the community.