Demand that Governor Murphy and the New Jersey State Legislation give back our school funding from the recently signed S2 bill. Save our clubs, activities, and sports. Save our students! Demand New Jersey state lawmakers repeal S2! Your participation is absolutely critical in keeping our students’ futures intact!

New Jersey State Legislation passed a school funding “reform” bill known as S2 in June 2018. This plan forced Toms River Regional Schools to raise taxes every year while severely cutting funding. This formula is not only flawed but outdated. As a direct result of S2, Toms River Regional Schools will be forced to eliminate crucial programs for our students. Examples of the some of the potential cuts include clubs, activities, all intermediate school sports, freshman and junior varsity (JV) sports in our high schools, busing, full-day kindergarten or kindergarten altogether, and staff, including para-professionals. In addition, the growth of essential social skills and activities will be jeopardized while class sizes rapidly expand, making quality education difficult.

Without these vital programs available to our students, gaining acceptance to a college, the military, or the transitional career is almost impossible. And without these social interactions, the personal development and the reinforcement of life-skills will become neglected for our students, making it extremely challenging for our students to stay involved. With that, the concern over drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping becomes even more paramount, especially with Ocean County’s growing opioid epidemic.

The Toms River Regional School district is one of the most efficient and fiscally responsible in the state. We have the fourth-lowest cost-per-student while striving to provide our students with an education to foster college and career readiness.  And we stick together. “Jersey Strong” is our motto, and perhaps nothing made that clearer in our community than Superstorm Sandy. More than five years later, Toms River is still experiencing the effects of the storm, along with many other Jersey Shore towns. The state should hold off reducing education aid until the value of property returns to pre-Sandy levels. Let’s continue to be Jersey Strong and fight for our students!

Demand Governor Murphy and the New Jersey State Legislature repeal S2 now. This flawed and unjust formula hurts our students and communities. Demand Governor Murphy adapt Senator James W. Holzapfel’s bill S2803/A4278 for the Jersey Shore and the state, which prevents State school aid reduction in school districts that experienced decrease in equalized valuation and are located in certain counties. Save our students! NO S2!