Dr. William E. DeFeo, Superintendent of Manchester Schools, will retire at the end of this school year. DeFeo’s request for retirement, effective June 30, 2008, was accepted by the Board of Education at their September 19 meeting.

Dr. William E. DeFeo has served as the district's Superintendent of Schools since July 1, 1997. Before coming to Manchester, DeFeo was Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services in Hamilton Township, a school district with 23 schools and 12,500 students. He worked in the Hamilton Township School District for 8 years, and served as Acting Superintendent there in 1990-91.

Dr. DeFeo holds a Doctorate degree from Rutgers University and a Masters degree from Montclair State. His experience in the field of education includes positions as Testing and Special Programs Coordinator in Edison Township, District Administrator for Elementary Education in Long Branch, elementary school principal, and teacher. Dr. DeFeo also worked for the NJ Department of Education, where he was involved in state monitoring as an Education Specialist Supervisor and School Program Coordinator.

In his first year as Manchester’s Superintendent, Dr. DeFeo established a District Planning Commission charged with the mission of developing a Long Range Strategic Plan and Mission Statement to guide the district’s future. This led to a Long Range Facilities Plan, developed in 2000, which identified the need for more space at the high school, middle school, and Whiting Elementary School. In December of 2002, a $30 million building referendum, with 40% of the funding coming from a state school construction fund, was passed by a 4-1 ratio. The new facilities opened in 2004 and 2005.

Dr. DeFeo adopted the slogan, “A Quality Education at a Reasonable Price,” early in his tenure at Manchester. He knew that keeping the tax rate stable was a necessity in a community populated mostly by seniors on fixed incomes. This was even more of challenge when the district was faced with cuts in state education aid and a state funding formula that gives Manchester a meager 14% in state aid while the state average is nearly 40%. Under Dr. DeFeo’s leadership, Manchester’s school tax rate has increased by just 17 cents since 1998 and 8 out of 10 budgets have been passed by voters.

Dr. DeFeo says he is proud that, despite the financial constraints, the district has been able to make steady and meaningful improvements in the quality of education offered to its students. New and improved facilities, ongoing curricular updates, and intervention programs for students in need of extra help are among these improvements. State test scores throughout the district have steadily increased. Dr. DeFeo recently announced that all of Manchester’s schools met state and NCLB standards in all categories for 2006-07.

Dr. DeFeo guided the district through many challenges, including ongoing realignment of the curriculum to meet new and revised state standards, and the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind act. Among the other notable accomplishments under Dr. DeFeo’s leadership were the implementation of new school security measures and emergency plans, an ongoing commitment to providing and encouraging professional development for staff, major improvements to the district’s technology infrastructure and the integration of technology within the curriculum, the establishment of a non-profit Educational Foundation to support the district, and continued outreach to the district’s large senior community.

Dr. DeFeo is quick to give credit to others for these accomplishments. “If there is one thing I am most proud of in Manchester, it is the willingness of all groups involved in the education of our children to work together,” he said. “None of these accomplishments were achieved alone. But, rather, all were the result of the joint efforts of administrators, Board of Education, faculty, support staff and community. They demonstrate clearly what can be accomplished for our children when everyone works together as a team.”

Board of Education President, Mary Walter, said, “As the educational leader of Manchester Township, Dr. DeFeo has brought our schools into the 21st century by constantly evaluating the needs of the district, staying ahead of minimum requirements, and working with the cooperation of a strong and talented administration and faculty. In Manchester Township, ‘good enough’ is not good enough. The Board of Education, Dr. DeFeo and the staff share the same philosophy – the safety, welfare and education of Manchester children is their top priority.”

“Dr. DeFeo has fostered a mutual trust between himself and the Board by always keeping the Board informed of circumstances in the schools and providing backup information to support his recommendations for board decisions,” said Walter. “He has also continued a positive relationship with the district-wide PTA and our other volunteer groups, as well as the community at large. Together over the last 10 years, Dr. DeFeo and the Board have worked together to provide ‘a quality education at a reasonable price.’ His leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement.”

Peter Corigliano, Manchester Schools Business Administrator, has worked closely with Dr. DeFeo for the past 10 years. “I will always cherish the time I spent working beside an outstanding individual such as Dr. DeFeo," Corigliano said. "His integrity and knowledge has been clearly evident throughout Manchester over the past 10-plus years.  I will miss him and I will certainly appreciate the remaining months that we have to work together.  My personal and professional appreciation goes out to him and I wish him only the best of luck in his retirement and a long happy life ahead.”

Janice Hardell, past President of the Manchester Township PTA, commented, “It has been a sincere pleasure to work with Dr. DeFeo over the last four years. He has been a great supporter of the PTA for many years and he will be missed by many.”