Proposed 2025–26 budget — a 12.9% tax-levy increase — fails on roll call after board objections

The board held a budget hearing on the proposed 2025–26 school district budget and voted on a resolution to adopt the budget. Superintendent Sitta and district finance staff explained the tentative budget had identified a $22.3 million revenue deficit and presented a balancing plan that adds $21.3 million to the tax levy while applying for up to $1 million in Tax Levy Incentive Aid, producing a net district-wide tax increase of approximately 12.9%.

Finance staff said the general fund tax levy would rise about 15.4% but that a $3.3 million reduction in debt service moderates the net increase. The presentation included town-level monthly estimates: Toms River about $41.50 per month, South Toms River about $22.97 per month, Beachwood about $35.97 per month and Pine Beach about $38.60 per month (figures from the district handout).

Board members who opposed the motion framed their votes as objections to state funding and the burden on residents. One board member said, “This is not a district problem. This is a funding issue and this is Trenton playing politics with our children and our residents,” and voted no. Another member described overcrowding, under-resourced classrooms and expressed sadness that state policy left local schools to bear the burden; that member also voted no. The roll call contained multiple “no” votes and at least one absence; the motion to adopt the 2025–26 budget did not pass.

After the vote the board opened a public-comment period (no speakers signed up) and then adjourned. The district noted that a county-superintendent letter (Susan Naples) had advised an additional budget hearing because the budget had not been approved at an earlier session.