The Manchester Township School District is once again facing intense scrutiny as a new lawsuit, filed by former district employee Morgan Capezzera, alleges she was targeted and ultimately fired for standing up against a toxic culture of anti-gay, anti-Semitic, and anti-Lakewood sentiment fostered by the school board and top administrators.
Capezzera, a former school psychologist, filed the complaint in Ocean County Superior Court through her attorney, Robert P. Merenich of Gemmel, Todd & Merenich, P.A. The suit follows two earlier high-profile lawsuits filed by former Superintendent John Beranato and Assistant Superintendent Bridget Antonucci, both of whom alleged they were pushed out due to discrimination and hostility toward LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and the Orthodox Jewish community.
As previously reported by FAA News here and here, the Manchester Board of Education has been rocked by a series of allegations involving bias and discriminatory policies, particularly toward Lakewood's growing Orthodox Jewish population and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Capezzera’s lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of a district leadership that “rejected diversity and were intolerant of those like Plaintiff who espoused inclusion and tolerance.” She alleges that her downfall was triggered not by any misconduct, but rather by her open support for inclusive education policies and for leaders like Beranato and Antonucci, who championed diversity.
In a particularly striking allegation, Capezzera cites a meeting led by Superintendent Diane Pedroza, during which Pedroza reportedly said, “I won’t let this district become another Lakewood,” referencing the nearby township’s large Orthodox Jewish population. Capezzera described being horrified by the comment, which she believed revealed the administration’s deep-seated intolerance.
Capezzera further alleges that once Pedroza took the helm, she and other staff associated with “rainbow” values - a reference to LGBTQIA2S+ symbolism - were systematically pushed out. She claims that after Pedroza’s appointment, she was targeted with contradictory and harassing performance reviews and ultimately issued a “libelous” Statement of Reasons for non-renewal in May 2024.
The lawsuit includes claims for retaliation, defamation, and violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). Capezzera seeks compensatory and punitive damages for what she describes as substantial emotional, economic, and reputational harm.
With three lawsuits now pending and all telling a consistent story of intolerance and retaliation, the Manchester School District faces growing calls for investigation and accountability. As the legal battles unfold, residents, parents, and educators alike are left questioning how deep the district’s culture of exclusion truly runs.
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