Joseph R. Schafer

The Toms River Regional Schools' 2025-2026 strategic goals are designed to provide an innovative and rigorous educational experience. The plan focuses on six key areas: enhancing student achievement in English Language Arts and Mathematics through an 'All In' mindset, fostering a unified and inclusive district culture, developing sound financial plans to address budget challenges, effectively managing and maintaining facilities, expanding community partnerships for student and staff development, and empowering staff and students to utilize emerging technologies responsibly, including a focus on cybersecurity. The overall vision is to cultivate lifelong learners who are socially responsible, adaptable, and prepared for future challenges.

The meeting includes an executive session to discuss HIB appeals, personnel, legal litigation, and various reports. Key agenda items involve the approval of professional service contracts, cancellation of outstanding obligations, financial reserve deposits, and various service agreements with the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. The board will review personnel and educational program agendas, address school district facility and rental agreements, and conduct fiscal year reorganization items including the appointment of various school officials, board policy re-adoption, and the establishment of thresholds for procurement and settlements.

The meeting includes public hearings on the 2026-2027 school district budget and the superintendent contract, followed by motions for their adoption and approval. Key discussion topics involve personnel and legal litigation updates, the review of committee reports, student and staff awards, and approval of various agreements including an intergovernmental services agreement with the Ocean County Department of Corrections. The agenda also covers the adoption of new district policies regarding school property, lunch services, and a spectator code of conduct, alongside the approval of bus evacuation drills, harassment and bullying reports, facility lease agreements, and fire and security drill reports. Additionally, the board will address financial matters including the approval of bills, purchase orders, contract extensions, and the board secretary's report.

The Board of Education meeting included the nomination and approval of a new Board member to fill a vacancy, the submission of the 2026-27 tentative budget to the County Office, and the passage of a resolution proclaiming World Autism Month. Additionally, the Board approved a revised pupil calendar, a lease amendment for a cellular provider, and shared services and interlocal agreements with the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority. Several policies were presented for first reading, and a variety of personnel items, including salary adjustments, leave requests, resignations, retirements, and new hires across multiple departments, were approved. Superintendent and Business Administrator reports highlighted organizational achievements, budgetary planning, and upcoming retirements within the administration.

The Board of Education of the Toms River Regional Schools convened for a special meeting, during which the Pledge of Allegiance was performed, the Oath of Office was administered to a newly appointed Board member, and the session was subsequently adjourned.