By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Former Whitewater Unified School District Caroline Pate-Hefty has been placed on administrative leave from her new role as superintendent of the Manheim Township School District [“Manheim”] in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Per lancasteronline.com, the superintendent’s status was announced to district staff in an email on February 18, 2026. No reasons were given for the leave; reportedly her contract prohibits the district from publicly disclosing matters related to Pate-Hefty’s performance or conduct. It was not indicated whether the leave is paid. Pate-Hefty’s annual salary is $227,250.

Pate-Hefty signed a five-year contract in March 2025 and began her employment with the 6000-student Manheim on July 1. She had held the Whitewater position, where there are nearly 2000 students, since 2020.

Since Pate-Hefty’s tenure began in Pennsylvania there have been four resignations from the administrative staff, although one of those individuals has since rescinded their resignation.

Per lancasteronline.com, Manheim has had seven superintendents in the past 14 years.