Toms River schools tell state they need $26.5 million to avoid cuts; budget hearing yields no vote

At a May public budget hearing, board leaders for the Toms River Regional School District said the district needs $26.5 million in additional state support to avoid reductions that would prevent the district from providing a "thorough and efficient" education.

The district framed the request during a presentation to the board and members of the public, saying the county business administrator’s recent report echoed the district’s estimate that $26.5 million is required to stabilize operations. "Tom's River needs $26.5 million," a district official stated during the hearing.

Why it matters: District officials said repeated, multiweek reviews by county and Department of Education (DOE) staff mean the tentative budget approved in March cannot yet be finalized. The board said the district faces a large structural revenue gap and that cutting to close it would undermine core educational services.

Business administrator and fiscal explanation: Business administrator Mr Doring (as identified in the transcript) explained the state's SFRA (School Funding Reform Act) adequacy calculation, which uses a per‑pupil profile and categorical supplements. He said the state’s adequacy computation for the district was about $291 million excluding transportation (transportation was cited as an additional roughly $20 million). Mr Doring said that even if the $26.5 million were provided, the district would remain tens of millions of dollars below adequacy under various definitions used by the state.

Public participation and timeline: The board opened the budget hearing by motion (mover: Kidney; second: Palazo) and accepted public comment. Lisa Contessa asked whether the county had "accepted" or "approved" the budget; district staff said the county had accepted the submission but had not approved it, and noted the statutory May 14 target date for adopting a budget remains relevant. A resident asked about contingency plans if the funds are not provided; district leaders said state options include an advance of state aid (described generically as an aid “advance” or loan) or formula recalibration, but emphasized there is no lawful way for the board to adopt a budget that does not fund a thorough and efficient education. The public hearing was later closed by motion (mover: Lamb; second: Kidney).

What was not decided: The board took no final vote on the budget at the hearing; district leaders said they will continue to work with the county and DOE and update the public when the county provides its final determination.

Next steps: Officials said they will continue submitting required materials and responding to county/DOE questions; the statutory window for final action was noted as May 14, but district officials emphasized the outcome depends on the county and state review process.

Sources and attributions: Statements in this article are drawn from the board presentation and public hearing remarks as recorded in the meeting transcript and identified to named speakers where the transcript did so.