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Christopher Manno Picked To Be Bedford Central's Next Superintendent

BEDFORD, N.Y. -- The Bedford Central School District's Board of Education announced that Dr. Christopher Manno, a veteran New Jersey education administrator, has been picked as the next superintendent of schools.

Christopher Manno has been selected as Bedford Central's next superintendent of schools, subject to an appointment vote by the school board on April 13.

Christopher Manno has been selected as Bedford Central's next superintendent of schools, subject to an appointment vote by the school board on April 13.

Photo Credit: Screen shot/Burlington County Special Services School District

Manno, who was named New Jersey's Superintendent of the Year in 2013, currently serves as superintendent of both the Burlington County Special Services School District and the Burlington County Institute of Technology.

"He successfully took on the challenge of this unique dual role superintendency in early 2014 in order to improve shared services, operations and efficiencies serving 44 school districts throughout Burlington County, the largest in the state of New Jersey," Bedford Central's school board notes in an email to the community.

The board also notes Manno's earlier experience.

Manno's previous post, where he served from 2005 to 2013, was as superintendent for the pre-K to12. Burlington Township School District, the board notes. Before that, Manno held multiple posts in a district located in Montgomery Township, N.J. The posts in Montgomery included assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, which he served in from 2002 to 2005. From 1998 to 2002, Manno served as the district's director of curriculum of instruction. Prior to that, Manno taught middle school and high school math courses for seven years, and he coached cross country, track and field, and swimming.

Although the school board will not vote on officially appointing Manno until its April 13 meeting, the measure will serve merely as a legal formality, as the superintendent-designate already has unanimous written support.

"The Board of Education unanimously favored the selection of Dr. Manno, who successfully led his past two districts through fiscal and organizational challenges while demonstrating a highly ethical and problem-solving leadership style," the board states. "We were particularly impressed with his record of being a community and team builder. 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."

If once Manno is appointed, his term will begin on July 1, which is the official start of the 2016-17 school year. 

Manno was chosen from a pool of 40 finalists, the board added, and he was scheduled to tour the district on Wednesday. The board also thanked students, teachers and parents who gave their input for the search process.

The superintendent search started when Jere Hochman, who served in the top administrative job since 2008, resigned last fall to become a deputy state education commissioner. John Chambers, a long-term administrator who has held top posts in various districts, has been serving as interim superintendent since November.

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