Ocean Township board reviews budget calendar and audit; public praises viral video and presses board on 85‑minute block schedule

The Township of Ocean School District’s finance update on Tuesday outlined preliminary budget planning, an upcoming audit acceptance and a proposed withdrawal from maintenance reserves, while public comment highlighted a viral video and concerns about middle‑school scheduling.

Mister Hastings, reporting for finance, said the agenda includes a request to withdraw $125,000 from the maintenance reserve to address uneven paving and replace two aging scoreboards. He also reported that Wilcox and Company completed the audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, with no audit findings; the board will be asked to accept the audit by resolution at a future meeting (likely in January). Hastings said the district is preparing a budget calendar for fiscal 2027 and that state aid timing may be delayed because of a change in administration, leaving the district working under a 2% tax‑cap guidance.

"We submitted the audit on time, to the state. There were no findings in this audit," the finance report said. The report also warned that state aid release is likely to be delayed into March, which may tighten the district's budget timeline.

During the public comment period, parent and commenter Alex Hayes read dozens of social‑media reactions to the viral Ethan video and urged the board to celebrate the moment. Hayes also criticized the district's 85‑minute block schedule for sixth through eighth grades as "too much time" and a "failed experiment," linking the schedule to poor TOIS state rankings and calling for the board to consider changes.

Board members did not record any final votes on the maintenance reserve withdrawal or on budget actions during the meeting; those items remain on the agenda for future consideration and the audit will be formally accepted by resolution when presented by the auditor.

The board adjourned after routine final business and a motion to close the meeting.