TOMS RIVER – The Board of Education voted to introduce a tentative budget and filed paperwork for the sale of their office building at 1144 Hooper Avenue.
The tentative budget is currently $293,544,234, of which $209,344,304 would come from taxes.
Superintendent Michael Citta said the district is looking at a 2.5% tax increase, and there still remains a $22.5 million deficit.
“This is not a finished budget by any means,” he said, noting that there can be legislative and budget ideas that could possibly come to fruition in the next few months.
A citizens budget advisory meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on April 2 in the Toms River High School North media center.
A public hearing on the budget is expected at Toms River High School North’s auditorium at 5:30 p.m. on April 30. After the public hearing, board members have the option to adopt the budget.
Photo courtesy Loop.net
Selling Building
The district has a long range facilities plan with the State Department of Education that discusses all the district’s buildings and property. The board voted to amend the plan due to the pending sale of the Toms River Corporate Center at 1144 Hooper Avenue. The 7.17 acre site is across from the Seacourt Mall. The district will be selling the building to the county.
During the portion of the meeting where the public can comment, former board member Anna Polozzo of South Toms River noted that the sale is not on the Ocean County Commissioner’s agenda.
Citta replied that they hope to close in May.
“And when does the district run out of money?” Polozzo asked.
“May,” Citta answered.
The district has been facing year over year losses in state aid, which has resulted in cutting jobs, delaying maintenance, and impacting programs.
An appraiser hired by the district has valued the building at $16 million but the actual purchase price won’t be known until closing.
The building houses 350 preschool children in an early learning center. These students will go to North Dover, which has the space for it, Citta has previously said.
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