TOMS RIVER – The Board of Education has six members from Toms River, and two of these spots will be on the ballot in November.
School board races are supposed to be nonpartisan, so you won’t see a political party next to their name. They are allowed to have a short slogan.
Each candidate was sent a short questionnaire by this newspaper. Their responses were edited for such things as punctuation or flow.
There are two, three-year seats representing Toms River on the board. Dominick Farro had originally filed to run but later withdrew. Lisa Contessa, Jennifer Howe, Maria Matarazzo, and Diane Oxley are competing for the two seats. Matarazzo and Oxley, who are running under the slogan “Students First,” did not provide answers to the questions by the print deadline but their answers are being provided for the online version of this story.
Lisa Contessa
Contessa is running under the slogan “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Since 2022, Contessa has been the Executive Assistant to Executive Director at The Ocean County Utilities Authority. Prior to that, she was the VP Marketing, OceanFirst Bank – Toms River. She previously served on the board from 2021-2023.
She is involved in civic groups such as the Ocean County Mental Health Board and the Toms River Township Environmental Commission. She had previously been involved in the Toms River Community Medical Center Foundation and 21 Plus, Inc.
“The Number 1 issue facing Toms River schools is funding. Public education is funded through property taxes and State funding. State funding is meant to fill the gap between what can be raised through taxation and what is needed to provide every student with a thorough and efficient education, T&E.
“The Constitution of the State of New Jersey mandates the Legislature shall provide support for a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all children in the State ages five and eighteen years.
“Unfortunately, our state officials prioritize funding favorable districts serving their own best interests, undermining our educational integrity. NJ officials are not doing the job we the people are paying them to do.
“This is not a spending issue; it’s a funding crisis exacerbated by New Jersey’s sanctuary status, which requires us to educate many new non-English speaking students with very little formal education, without adequate support.
“Despite these challenges, we have managed to provide quality programs while spending the least per pupil in NJ. Instead of the obvious remedy – our fair share of state funding – the governor has suggested raising taxes and closing schools. Closing schools would severely overcrowd our classrooms and worsen our problems. With property taxes among the highest in the country no one is in favor of raising or paying more taxes. In fact, on July 3, 2024, our Board unanimously opposed a 9.9% tax increase, but the state overruled us, still leaving a $13 million funding deficit of the $26.6 million they refuse to fund. We are now at the breaking point.
“With over 14,000 students and 40 languages spoken, our teachers face immense challenges. Our district needs a strong, proven, experienced leader who will hit the ground running, continue to stand up to state officials and work on the tough decisions ahead while protecting our community.
“I have fought for our funding, voted against tax increases and against agendas that jeopardize our children’s education. Once re-elected, I promise to continue fighting for our funding and against tax hikes. I will oppose inappropriate curricula and ensure all students have the resources they need to excel.
“As a representative of the citizens, taxpayers, parents and students, a Board of Education member’s primary role is to shape the policies and procedures that govern the district. And to enforce the rules ensuring the district operates within the broader framework established by the state. And I know from experience our State officials often lie. They are constantly trying to force political and quite frankly perverted ideologies on our children and will tell you these policies are “mandated” and must be adopted. In my experience I have come to know that “mandated” simply means “guidance.”
“As Policy Committee Chair, I was instrumental in halting the controversial “Comprehensive Health and Physical Education” policy the state was forcing on our district. Health and Phys Ed in public schools is intended to get our kids healthy by engaging in regular exercise and teaching about nutrition, various health conditions, diseases and prevention.
“The policy the state brought us was filled with instruction on sexual orientation of every persuasion, gender identity, disproven claims about climate change, racist ideologies and social justice training.
“There are thousands of school policies with new ones being introduced monthly and most have some form of indoctrination within. This is important and time-consuming work. My goal will be to clean up the policy archives with sound guidance that will teach our kids to be loving and kind, physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”
Jennifer Howe
Howe is currently a substitute teacher. She graduated in May from Kean University with a BA in History Secondary Education and a Special Ed Certification. She also works at the Sawmill on the boardwalk.
“I have been serving the Township of Toms River for almost six years now as a board member.
“I am the VP of The Toms River Education Foundation. We fundraise for the district to help fill the deficit and purchase items that go directly to our students. I am a volunteer for Pop the Trunk which is a food distribution that takes place every Friday at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River on Hooper Ave. Along with an amazing group of volunteers, we have been distributing food to residents of our town and surrounding towns to help battle food insecurity.
“The biggest issue facing our district is our funding. Unfortunately it is a repeat of what has been wrong for way too long. The only way to fight this is to keep reaching out to the state and finding ways to self fund where we couldn’t before. The state needs to revisit their decision about our funding due to the mandates they put on every district. We have an influx of ELL (English Language Learners) students, which has increased our financial needs, and we are mandated to install programs and hire teachers that come at a cost. Our special education population has increased, as well as our transportation costs. The state needs to be aware that their mandates affect our budget.
“Looking forward, I would like to see our district increase opportunities for students. I would like to see more class trips for the students, extra help for struggling learners, and more advanced classes offered in all of our high schools. Bringing back after school busing would enable all students to have access to everything our district has to offer. Lastly, I am so thankful for the Kindness Campaign our district has rolled out this year. I would like to see the district add volunteer hours as a criteria or even just give more opportunities for the students to give back and serve the community. Our former board Michelle Williams first suggested this and I would love to see it implemented.”
Maria Matarazzo
Maria Matarazzo has been a realtor for more than 20 years. If she wins, this would be her first public office.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to outline the core reasons behind my candidacy for the Toms River school board. At the forefront of my concerns is the financial burden increasingly placed on our community through rising taxes. This year, we’ve witnessed a staggering 10% increase in school taxes, a decision that hits every homeowner hard, but especially our senior citizens who are often on fixed incomes. This tax hike is not just a line item on a bill; it’s a significant strain on household budgets and a deterrent for families considering making Toms River their home.”
Editor’s note: The exact amount was 9.9%, forced upon the district by the state.
“As someone with 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the fiscal health of a school district influences the overall desirability and value of a community. High taxes, particularly when they’re not clearly translating into better educational outcomes, can tarnish a town’s appeal, making it harder for homeowners to sell and depressing property values. This issue is compounded by the worrying trend of declining standardized test scores in our schools, with 43% of students failing in reading and writing and 28% in mathematics.
“Our homes represent our most significant investments, and the current trajectory of increasing taxes coupled with decreasing educational quality threatens that investment. Moreover, the budget of our school district has grown from $240 million in 2019 to $290 million this year, despite a drop in student enrollment by nearly 4,000. This mismatch between spending and outcomes raises serious questions about fiscal management and priorities.
“The solution isn’t to cut vital student programs but to scrutinize and streamline our spending, ensuring that every dollar is effectively advancing the quality of education. My campaign is centered around the urgent need to address these financial inefficiencies and to refocus our resources on initiatives that genuinely enhance student learning and achievement.
“With my background in real estate, I bring a unique perspective to the school board, understanding the direct link between the health of our schools and the vitality of our real estate market. By advocating for fiscal responsibility and educational excellence, I aim to protect our community’s investments and ensure Toms River remains a desirable place to live and learn. Restoring trust in our public schools as beacons of academic success is essential, not only for the sake of our children’s futures but also for the economic well-being and growth of Toms River. I am committed to making these changes, and I ask for your support in this endeavor.”
Diane Oxley
Diane Oxley is a charter school teacher. If elected, this would be her first time holding public office.
“Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my candidacy for the Toms River school board. My decision to run is deeply rooted in my concern for our students’ future and the overall health of our public education system. Recent trends in standardized test scores are alarming, with 43% of our students failing the reading and writing portions, and 28% failing mathematics. These figures are not just numbers; they represent our children who are not receiving the education they deserve.
“Our community is at a crucial juncture. As public school enrollment declines – having lost nearly 4,000 students – the district’s budget has paradoxically increased from $240 million in 2019 to $290 million this year. This financial trajectory is unsustainable and places an undue burden on all taxpayers, particularly our senior citizens. This year alone, taxes were raised by 10%, a decision that disproportionately affects those on fixed incomes.”
Editor’s note: The exact amount was 9.9%, forced upon the district by the state.
“The solution is not to cut essential programs that benefit our students, such as sports and extracurricular activities. These programs are vital for fostering well-rounded individuals. Instead, we need to take a hard look at our spending, identify wasteful expenditures, and eliminate unnecessary positions. It’s time to prioritize the efficient use of our resources to ensure that funds directly contribute to enhancing the quality of education.
“Our campaign is about more than just addressing fiscal concerns; it’s about setting higher standards for our students and teachers alike. We need to get back to basics, ensuring a solid foundation in reading, writing, and mathematics. By raising the bar, we can prepare our students for success, not just in standardized tests, but in life. I am committed to making these necessary changes and working tirelessly to ensure our children receive the best education possible. It’s time to restore confidence in our public schools and ensure they are places where future generations can thrive. This is why I am running for the school board, and I ask for your support in making these goals a reality for the Toms River community.”
