About the Initiative
After two years of discussion, planning, community feedback, and NJDOE review, on January 22, 2019, the Toms River Regional 乐鱼体育 District community was asked to vote to repair and restore facilities and grounds at our eighteen school buildings and five outbuildings across 52 square miles. We thank the community for coming together to pass the referendum.
During the 2017-2018 school year, 19 informational town hall-style meetings were held and projects discussed at public board meetings for the purpose of actively seeking public input in order to craft the best proposal. In 2018-2019, regional meetings were held to present the final detailed proposals and to answer remaining questions.
In summary, the plan includes funding for:
- safety and security upgrades
- improving accessibility through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units and controls
- door and window replacements
- renovating and upgrading high wear and high use areas like science labs and playgrounds, with updated safety standards
- repair and repaving of parking lots and driveways
The Toms River Regional Board of Education, staff, and administration have made it a priority to provide learning environments that meet both the physical and social-emotional needs of our students while preparing them for success in a highly competitive, technological, and globally-connected society. This bond referendum addresses outdated facilities and repair needs to provide safe, affordable, accessible and equitable schools for all students and staff.
The basis for determining and prioritizing these projects has been the Facilities Condition Assessment undertaken by the Board of Education in 2015 (see link at left). The FCA revealed over $160 million in facilities repairs, renovations, and upgrades needed, nearly $40 million of which were deemed to be of the highest priority. Over the past three years, these have been assessed through meetings with engineering consultants and discussed with public feedback at public Board of Education meetings beginning in November of 2015.
In addition, the district is able to address a sizable number of projects through an Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP), with no net cost to taxpayers. For more information on this program, go to our .