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Toms River superintendent urges unity as district presses lawsuit over state funding shortfall
Summary
Superintendent ("Mr S") urged the community to "stand united" and refuted local accusations while outlining a multi-pronged plan — including a pending lawsuit and property appraisals — to address a state-imposed funding shortfall that the district says could strain cash flow next spring.
Superintendent Mr S opened the Oct. 16 board meeting with a moment of silence for two recently deceased students, framed the evening as National Unity Day and urged residents to "stay educated" and "stand united" as the district pursues relief for what he described as a deep state funding shortfall.
"When you hear pointed accusations that this district and School Board are responsible for raising your taxes, I want you to know we did not," Mr S said, calling such claims "false and a distraction." He said the board voted down a budget that would have included a purportedly large tax increase and criticized the state funding formula, saying Trenton had taken "millions and millions of dollars" from the district over seven years.
Mr S outlined three options the district is pursuing to cover a projected gap and avoid cash-flow problems in April or May: (1) awaiting the outcome of a pending lawsuit seeking state funding; (2) selling or appraising non-student-directed property holdings (he cited acreage associated with schools) to raise funds; and (3) invoking a statutory process for districts with projected deficits that can include assignment of a state monitor. "We have multiple approaches to getting to the finish line," he said.
During public comment several residents pressed the district on student performance and instructional programs. Christa Whitaker, a parent from South Toms River, cited published state assessment figures for early grades and asked whether programs such as I-Ready meet students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs. "These assessments just keep getting lower and lower," she said, urging the board to explain where the district stands come April.
District administrators responded that state assessment results represent a snapshot of mastery on standards rather than a complete measure of a student's reading ability, and emphasized the district uses multiple supplemental resources alongside I-Ready. The administration said it would meet with concerned parents to review supports and noted growth in some schools despite statewide declines.
The superintendent repeatedly framed the fiscal shortfall as a problem driven by state funding decisions rather than local board action and called on mayors, councils and residents to support the district's legal and advocacy efforts. "We must oppose the state's will which is to cause demise of this community," he said. He urged residents to "find your truth" among the public materials the district has published and to remain engaged.
Next steps the superintendent cited include continuing the lawsuit process and pursuing asset appraisals; no final fiscal action was taken at the meeting. Several board motions later in the agenda authorized required submissions to the state and approved personnel and program items by roll call.
