Toms River board approves midyear student-safety report showing drop in incidents

The Toms River Regional School District Board of Education on Wednesday approved its semiannual Student Safety Data System (SSDS) report for Jan. 1June 30, 2024, after district staff presented a detailed review of incident counts and trends.

An administrator told the board the district recorded a 21% decrease in reportable offenses and a 41% decrease in confirmed harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) incidents compared with the November 2023 report. The presentation listed 131 acts of violence, 24 incidents of damage to property, nine weapons reports, 62 substance-abuse incidents and 52 confirmed HIBs, for a total of 278 incidents during the reporting period.

"For the period of January 1st to June 30th, 2024 there was a 21% decrease in reportable offenses and a 41% decrease in confirmed HIBs compared to our November 2023 report," the administrator said. The district said it analyses student performance, demographics and school-climate data monthly and collaborates with community partners such as the YMCA and local police to address mental-health and safety needs.

Board members moved and seconded approval of the SSDS report; a roll-call vote recorded all board members (Capone, Coin, How, Kidney, Lamb, Pascarella, Palazo, Nardini and Egan) voting Yes.

District officials said the reduction across most categories is an ongoing priority and that interventions such as character-based and social-emotional programs and Positive Behavioral Support Systems remain in place. The board did not take additional action beyond approving the report; staff will continue monthly reviews and follow-up as needed.

The board also approved related procedural safety items later in the meeting.