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Board accepts resignation of member Payla Pascarella amid alleged ethics violations
Summary
The board accepted the resignation of board member Payla Pascarella, effective Feb. 18, 2026; the presiding officer read allegations that Pascarella failed to disclose roughly $300,000 in family income on her financial disclosure and had missed meetings and engaged in prior misconduct.
The Toms River Regional School District board formally accepted the resignation of Payla Pascarella effective Feb. 18, 2026.
During the motion and roll call the chair read a statement saying Pascarella had been slated for removal, alleging that "Miss Pascarella knowingly lied on her personal financial disclosure by intentionally omitting almost $300,000 in income paid to her family by the township of Toms River." The chair also said Pascarella had missed four consecutive meetings, had a prior inappropriate "ranting" incident directed at students, staff and families, and that the resignation was submitted late in an apparent effort to avoid removal.
Board members moved to approve the agenda items that included acceptance of the resignation. The clerk called the roll and members voted to accept the resignation. The board did not enter into discussion of personnel matters in public session beyond the chairs statement, consistent with the boards stated policy to not publicly discuss personnel beyond permitted parameters.
