Toms River schools face $26.5 million shortfall; superintendent vows not to cut student programming

Superintendent Sida told the Board of Education on March 27 that the district faces a roughly $26.5 million budget revenue shortfall and that administrators and trustees are already contacting stakeholders and legislators to seek options.

“We Face a $26.5 million budget Revenue shortfall,” Sida said, adding that the district began outreach “first thing this morning” to request meetings and pursue changes. He said the board and administration would continue to communicate with the public as legislative and administrative options are explored.

Sida emphasized a policy stance on program preservation: “The course of action that we won't take is cutting our student programming,” he said, asserting the board’s obligation to provide a “thorough and efficient education.” He added the district will pursue remedies “with or without help from State funding or taxpayer raising dollars,” and said trustees will keep the community updated as steps are taken.

The remarks followed the recent regionalization referendum and related community votes. Student and board speakers during the meeting described mixed local results and differing interpretations: a student representative stated the regionalization referendum was not passed, while other speakers cited widespread local turnout and support in portions of the regional district. The transcript records both the superintendent thanking the community for engagement and students/board members noting the referendum outcome; that divergence is noted in the meeting record.

Sida and multiple board members thanked volunteers, coaches and staff for sustaining extracurricular programs that the district says are essential to student engagement and mental health. Board members stressed that many extracurriculars rely on volunteers and that cutting those supports would harm student experiences.

What’s next: The superintendent said the district is seeking meetings with stakeholders and legislative changes as needed and will provide updates to the public as options develop. The board took no formal budget-cutting action at the March 27 meeting.