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Toms River board rejects 02/2026 budget after proposal would raise taxes 12.9%
Summary
The Board of Education voted down the 02/2026 school district budget resolution after public comment and a roll call; district officials had said the proposal would raise the tax levy by 12.9% pending Department of Education approval of a $1,000,000 tax-levy incentive aid application.
The Board of Education of the Toms River Regional School District voted down the 02/2026 school district budget resolution after a roll-call vote following public comment.
District presenter Doering said the budget as presented relies on a $22.3 million state-aid-related revenue line and an application for tax-levy incentive aid that would provide up to $1,000,000. Doering said the combination of a $21.3 million increase in the proposed tax levy and the incentive aid would yield a 12.9% tax increase when the general fund and debt service are combined. "So that's what you have in front of you, today," Doering said.
Board members proceeded to a motion to adopt the budget resolution; the clerk led a roll call. The transcript records multiple members saying "no," and the clerk then announced, "Item 8 item number 8 did not pass." The transcript does not provide a full numeric tally of yes and no votes.
The vote followed several hours of presentations and public comment, during which residents urged the board to push funding questions back to Trenton and criticized the state funding formula that district officials say has reduced Toms River's aid. One resident, Bill Spadia, urged the board to "vote down this budget and not raise taxes," arguing the state is reallocating money away from suburban districts.
The board adjourned after the failed motion.
