Toms River Schools' Parents Plan Another Rally In Trenton

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River community again is heading to Trenton to keep pressing state legislators to restore aid being cut from the Toms River Regional School District.

On Tuesday, buses from the school district with students and staff will be going to Gov. Phil Murphy's office in Trenton, and community leaders are hoping parents and residents to join the effort.

The Rally to Save Toms River is planned in response to a statement Murphy made during his "Ask the Governor" segment on News 12 New Jersey recently.

"We cannot allow systems like yours to be hung out to dry," Murphy said in response to Toms River woman who called in to the program to ask about the cuts the Toms River Regional School District is faced with under S2, the state law that has laid out cuts to so-called adjustment aid to more than 100 school districts across the state. Toms River stands to lose cumulatively more than $70 million over the seven years of the cuts.

For the 2020-2021 school year, the district is facing a $4.3 million cut in state aid. It has applied for emergency aid for the 2019-2020 school year due to the cuts that resulted in the elimination of 77 staff positions and 55 coaching stipends, but as of Dec. 2 district officials have not received a response on that application.

Toms River school district officials have said they are facing the possibility of cutting all non-mandated programs, including all extra-curricular activities — clubs, sports, marching band, theatre — and/or the district's full-day kindergarten.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney recently suggested the possibility of cap waivers that would allow school districts to exceed the 2 percent cap on increasing the district's property tax levy, but that has received resounding negative responses from a number of legislators and residents.

The rally, set for 10 a.m. to noon outside the governor's office at 225 W. State St. in Trenton aims to hold Murphy "to his word because, right now, we are being hung out to dry," organizers said.

"After massive staff cuts this year and facing the grim reality of losing more staff, sports, extracurriculars, full-day kindergarten, and more in 2020, our community has had enough!" a flyer being circulated about the rally says.

"The governor has the power and resources to provide immediate financial relief to get us through to next year. He can provide the $4.4 million in emergency aid we have requested, now," the organizers said.

"We cannot sit idly by while our exemplary schools and proud communities are destroyed. We will not quit! Trenton is relying on our apathy, if not our fatigue, but we’ve only grown stronger and more committed," the organizers said. They are hoping for a strong response similar to the rally in March, when Toms River sent 27 school buses loaded with students, staff and residents to Trenton to take part in a rally that drew more than 4,000 people.

The rally is being organized by parent-teacher organizations in the district and encouraging parents, business owners and residents to join in. The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce recently voiced its support for the district's battle as well.

The caravan of buses and vehicles — parents and residents are encouraged to car pool — will leave from Toms River High School North at 9 a.m.

Questions about the rally can be directed to map.morrison@gmail.com. Residents who are not part of a parent organization can register at tinyurl.com/TRRSatTrentonDec10.

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