At the Toms River School Board meeting on February 21, 2025, Superintendent Michael Citta revealed that the district is currently in negotiations with Ocean County regarding the sale of its business office building located at 1144 Hooper Avenue. The multi-purpose building has been appraised at over $16 million, and its sale is expected to significantly impact the district’s budget, helping to cover a substantial portion of the remaining $12.4 million deficit caused by the fiscal challenges of State Bill S2.
The sale is seen as a critical step in ensuring the district’s financial stability for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. The proceeds from the sale would help balance the budget while also securing the continuation of all student programs without disruption.
As part of the district’s ongoing adjustments, the Early Learning Center (ELC) program, currently based at 1144 Hooper Avenue, will be relocated to North Dover Elementary School in September 2025. This move will allow young learners to transition from a corporate building to a more traditional school environment. It is also viewed as a positive outcome for taxpayers, as the business office building will remain an asset, providing value to the community should Ocean County agencies require expansion space in the future.
In his comments, Citta emphasized that the sale of the building to Ocean County would preserve the taxpayer asset for public use.The move is expected to stabilize the district’s budget through the end of this school year, but Citta expressed optimism about the district’s financial outlook for the 2025-2026 school year. He noted that the New Jersey Department of Education is actively gathering public feedback to make necessary adjustments to the state’s funding formula, and Toms River leaders are involved in these ongoing discussions.
Before discussing the sale, Citta took a moment to recognize local business owner Dominic Farro for his generous donation of fleeces for all district staff members. Farro was presented with a plaque in appreciation of his contribution. The meeting also featured the recognition of several students, particularly young musicians who were awarded for their talents.
This announcement comes as the district continues to navigate the challenges of balancing its budget while ensuring the quality of education for all students in the Toms River Regional Schools.
AP
