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Toms River board approves semiannual student-safety report, records several routine votes
Summary
The Toms River Regional School District board accepted its Student Safety Data System report for July–Dec 2023, recording motions and roll-call votes on routine agenda blocks including compliance submission and personnel items; board members noted ongoing budget uncertainty.
The Toms River Regional School District Board of Education voted to accept the district's Student Safety Data System report for the period July 1–Dec. 31, 2023, after a presentation by Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas said the district compiled 181 incidents during that reporting period, including 73 acts of violence, 24 incidents of property damage, four weapons incidents, 39 substance-abuse incidents and 41 confirmed incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB). He reported 89 alleged HIB incidents and said district interventions and community partnerships contributed to reductions in several categories and increased community-service hours during the 2023'024 school year.
Board members moved and seconded the SSDS approval; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with Capone, How, Kidney, Morrison, Pascarella, Palazo, Nardini and Egan recorded as voting yes.
The board also approved the district's submission to the county for an alternate method of compliance and certified the board secretary's May 2024 report. Several clustered agenda items (personnel and education program blocks) were moved and approved in subsequent roll-call votes. One board member noted voting no on items marked as pending budget approval for 2024'025.
Why it matters: SSDS reporting fulfills state and federal requirements and gives trustees a semiannual snapshot of safety-related incidents and the district's response efforts. The approvals also occurred against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty about the 2024'025 budget and whether some approvals tied to funding will proceed.
Board process and next steps: District staff said they will continue to analyze relationships among incidents, student performance, demographics and school-climate data and to work with community partners on prevention and intervention. The board did not change policy at the meeting; approved reports will be filed per SSDS requirements.
Quote: "Reducing these types of incidences and addressing the issues behind them will continue to be a priority for all of our school stakeholders," Mr. Thomas said during his presentation.
The meeting continued with public comment and further agenda business before adjourning.
