Toms River district says tentative budget was turned down; officials cite possible asset sales and planned legal action

At the July meeting, Toms River Regional School District officials said the district's tentative 2024'25 budget was voted down by the board but was nevertheless transmitted to county authorities and the New Jersey Department of Education for review.

District leadership told the public they have not yet received guidance from the county or state. The superintendent said the district will continue to operate and present programs as budgeted for now, and that financial reserves coupled with potential liquidation of non-student assets would sustain operations if needed. The administration is conducting appraisals of properties such as an administrative office building at 1144 (address referenced in the meeting) as part of contingency planning.

On public questioning, district officials said their bank accounts would likely sustain operations through April or May of the next year without asset sales, and characterized the next step as filing a suit against the state to address funding shortfalls.

Why it matters: Without an approved local budget, the district faces uncertainty about staffing and program commitments for the 2024'25 school year. Officials said many programs are tied to state-mandated funding formulas, which limits the district's options to cut services immediately.

Quote: "We presented a balanced budget; the process goes to the state of New Jersey and they routinely historically override those decisions and put in place the balanced budget," a district official said, adding that liquidation plans would "not touch kids and kids programs."

Next steps: District leaders said they will continue appraisals, seek county/State feedback, and proceed with legal filings as needed; the board did not vote on any liquidation at the meeting.