TOMS RIVER – Finances continue to be a concern starting the new year as residents asked about spending and budget holes during recent Board of Education meetings.
South Toms River resident Krista Whittaker, who ran unsuccessfully for the Board in November, asked about an item on the agenda paying assistant superintendents Cara DiMeo and Patrick Thomas an additional $160 a day for the school days between March 1 and June 30 of 2025.
Superintendent Michael Citta said the special education director is retiring. Rather than hire someone new for the last few months of the year and possibly cause a disruption to services, the two administrators will be taking on additional duties for additional pay. He estimated that this will result in a savings of approximately $50,000.
Several board members thanked DiMeo and Thomas for their extra work.
Whittaker also asked about a hole in the budget in excess of $12 million.
Business Administrator William Doering said there will be expected revenue from sale of assets.
Whittaker noted it was January and property hasn’t been put up for sale yet.
District officials said last year that if something doesn’t change, the district would run out of money by April or May. This is primarily because the state cut aid to the district year over year for several years.
Citta said that the district is in negotiations to complete the transaction which will be made public shortly.
New Members, New Times
In related news, the three new members who won election in November were sworn in – Lisa Contessa of Toms River (who was previously on the board in 2023), Maria Matarazzo of Toms River, and Joseph Jubert of South Toms River.
To start the new year, the president and vice president of the board were picked among the members. The president runs the meeting and sets the agenda.
Outgoing Board President Kathleen Eagan nominated Ashley Lamb of Toms River.
Board member Paola Pascarella nominated Lisa Contessa.
The votes were taken in the order of the nominations. Since the nomination for Lamb came first, the board voted on whether she should be president first. Everyone except Pascarella voted for Lamb, even Contessa. Therefore, there was no need to hold a vote on Pascarella’s nomination of Contessa for president.
Lamb nominated James Capone for vice president. Pascarella nominated Contessa. A majority then voted for Capone to be vice president.
In another change, meetings will begin earlier. Starting in February, the public portion of the Board of Education meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m. Additionally, the committee meetings, in which the board discusses items a week before the regular meetings, will begin at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. The locations haven’t changed. For specific dates and locations, visit the district website at trschools.com/Administration/boe.
Former board member, Joseph Nardini, spoke from the audience during the public comment period congratulating the winners. He had chosen not to run last year.
“I wish you all the best of luck up there. Remember what you’re here for – the children and the teachers in the district. Keep that in mind and you’re going to do great,” he said.
Home School Sports
Residents who home school their children have been interested in having their kids join clubs and sports run by the district. They have come to board meetings speaking about how they would love to get involved.
“This affects many people, not just homeschoolers,” Citta said. Officials are still discussing it.
