On 2.14.26, FREE WHITEWATER posted about professional reporting from Pennsylvania that the former Whitewater Unified School District superintendent, Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, was a source of controversy and uncertainty in her new position with the Manheim Township School District (near Lancaster, Pennsylvania). For that solid, professional reporting, see Ashley Stalnecker, Manheim Township School District mum on staff departures, superintendent’s status, LNP | LancasterOnline, February 13, 2026.
Stalnecker now reports that this morning, 2.18.26, the Manheim Township School District board placed Dr. Pate-Hefty on administrative leave:
Manheim Township School District’s board has placed Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons, according to an email sent to district staff Wednesday morning by Assistant Superintendent Dale Reimann.
Reimann said in the email that he will be working closely with the board in the coming days to ensure that “critical duties associated with the superintendent’s role will continue to be addressed.”
District spokesperson Jenn Davidson confirmed in an email Wednesday that Pate-Hefty was placed on administrative leave but said the district does not comment on personnel matters. She has not responded as to whether the leave is paid.
Board President Patrick Grenter did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Pate-Hefty has been absent at scheduled events and board meetings as well as from the district office over the past week. She has not responded to repeated attempts to contact her via phone, email and a visit to her home.
[…]Pate-Hefty was hired last year and began her tenure as superintendent on July 1. The board approved her for a five-year term, ending in June 30, 2030.
See Ashley Stalnecker, Manheim Township School District board places superintendent on administrative leave, LNP | LancasterOnline, February 18, 2026.
Station WGAL in Pennsylvania also reports that Pate-Hefty has been placed on leave:
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The superintendent of the Manheim Township School District has been placed on leave.
The school district confirmed the information with WGAL Wednesday afternoon. Director of Communications and Marketing Jennifer Davidson shared the following statement:
“Dr. Pate-Hefty has been placed on administrative leave by our school board. The district is unable to provide comment on personnel matters.”
See Manheim Township School District superintendent placed on leave, WGAL, February 18, 2026.