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Toms River board approves contracts, personnel promotions and long-term lease amendment; one member objects to state equity mandate
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Toms River Regional School District board approved multiple contracts for nonpublic Title I services, a transportation renewal, personnel promotions, and a Verizon lease amendment extending to 2052; one board member spoke against a state-mandated equity needs assessment before the resolution passed.
The Toms River Regional School District board of education approved a slate of contracts, personnel promotions and a long-term lease amendment at its regular meeting, while a board member voiced opposition to a state-mandated equity needs assessment.
The board voted to accept the district's NJ Department of Education self-assessment for determining HIB grades and approved contract agreements for nonpublic Title I services with Catapult, Tree of Knowledge Learning Academy and Tender Touch Educational Services LLC, each effective Sept. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The board also renewed a transportation agreement with the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority for the 2025—6 school year and approved a lease amendment with Celco partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless that extends through May 22, 2052.
Those motions were carried by roll call with members recorded as voting 'Yes' (Jubert, Coin, Contessa, Egan, Kidney, Pascarella, Capone and Lamb) on the listed items. The personnel agenda, which included promotions and new assignments (including director of technology Jim Phillips; director of purchasing Melanie Matlo; supervisor of special education Renee Verden; and assistant principals Anne Guell and Lee Madigan), was also approved; the transcript records specific recusals on personnel addendum items (Jubert recused on 22A; Egan recused on 22C; Capone recused on 22A).
A resolution authorizing the affirmative action team to conduct a needs assessment and develop a comprehensive equity plan for the 2025—2028 academic years prompted a public dissenting comment from a board member, who said in part, "I don't like mandates, especially from a state that refuses to adequately fund us'. . . I say no and encourage everyone else to not have our administration and teachers waste their time on this activity." Despite that objection, the resolution passed by roll call.
Board members framed the package of approvals as routine governance to ensure services and programs continue into the 2025—2026 school year. The board also accepted the March 2025 board secretary's report and approved a set of agenda items listed as numbers 18 through 23 during the meeting.
No members of the public spoke during the public participation segments on agenda items or general comments.
The board adjourned after closing business and extended holiday wishes for Memorial Day weekend.
