Residents press board over unapproved budget and praise staff, fundraising at Toms River meeting

During public comment at the Toms River Regional School District board meeting, residents raised concerns about the district’s unresolved budget and commended staff and community fundraising.

Christa Whitaker of South River opened public remarks by recognizing retiring guidance counselor Richard Stratton and asking for an update on the budget, which she said remains unapproved by the board. She questioned whether the board should have invoked the doctrine of necessity for contracts given prior conflict-of-interest concerns she raised in February. Whitaker also pressed the board over prior contract approvals, citing two contracts totaling $29,950 and asking how they could be approved without an approved budget. The district’s response in the meeting was that some options (a loan or state adjustment) were not available and that the department had offered to intervene if needed; board staff also said contracts referenced on prior agendas were marked "pending budget."

Scott Campbell, president of the Toms River Education Association, thanked the board and administration for approving the five-year agreement and highlighted the association’s scholarship work: "we're at $863,000" in scholarships distributed and "hopefully we'll crack $900,000" next year.

A resident identifying herself as Jennifer (22 Admiral Avenue) praised the district’s teachers, coaches and staff, and recounted a personal incident where a track coach helped her get to the hospital after a medical issue, underscoring community support around students and families.

Next steps: The board said it will continue follow-up with the state commissioner’s office and discuss local zoning concerns affecting Pine Beach Elementary at the Buildings & Grounds committee in July. The board did not take additional votes on the budget at this meeting.