240 Layoffs Set For Toms River Schools Due To Coronavirus Impact

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional School District is preparing to lay off about 240 employees, a result of the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The board approved a resolution Monday night that starts the process of a reduction in force, giving the affected employees — cafeteria workers, bus aides, bus drivers, cafeteria aides and mechanics — 60 days notice that they will be out of work.

"Reading this resolution ... is the most painful, most difficult thing I've had to do in my career, ever," Superintendent David Healy said, after reading the resolution into the record.

The layoffs would be effective Nov. 2, if the school district remains on a remote learning program beyond its planned Nov. 9 return to in-person instruction in the schools. State law requires employers who are laying off a significant number of employees to give them 60 days notices of the pending job losses.

The resolution said the ongoing state funding cuts — Toms River is receiving $5.3 million less in state aid than it received for the 2019-2020 school year, according to the finalized figures released last week by the Murphy administration — and the costs associated with preparing schools in the midst of the pandemic left the district with few options.

"We’ve prided ourselves on developing school budgets and on making staff reductions based on attrition," Healy said. But the pressures of the S2 cuts, along with school being conducted remotely to start the year, were more than the district could fight off.

The school year begins Tuesday for the teaching staff, which will have three days of professional development. Students begin classes on Sept. 8, and materials are in the process of being distributed. Administrators said parents should contact their school principals if they have not received information about the start of school, student orientations or other start-of-the-year activities.

Healy said the Parent Portal will open Sept. 4 for parents to view additional information. Additional information about the district's return-to-school plan, including frequently asked questions, is available on the district website.

While the district has required teachers to come into the school buildings to teach while students are learning remotely, there have been 333 staff members who received telework accommodations for health issues and child-care issues, Healy said. Each was addressed and verified on a case-by-case basis. Of the 333, 179 received accommodations due to child care issues, and 154 received accommodations for medical reasons.

The employees who are being notified that they may be laid off as of Nov. 2 include 90 bus drivers, five bus mechanics, 25 special education bus aides, 70 cafeteria/playground aides, and 50 cafeteria workers.

"The affected employees are extremely valuable to our children," said Anna Polozzo, the school board president. "This is incredibly difficult."

The employees who have been told they are part of the reduction in force were determined based on seniority. If jobs open, rehiring is done based on seniority as well. The district will help laid-off employees connect with community groups and other organizations that can provide assistance and guidance.

All full-time employees who are affected will be paid through Nov. 1. Hourly and part-time employees have been let go effective immediately, officials said.

The board's resolution said part of the reason for the layoffs is that the district cannot justify using public funds to pay public employees who are not performing work because it violates public policy.

Every board member expressed regret at the need for layoff notices.

"We hope that in 60 days we are back to school," Jennifer Howe said.

"I hate this," Alex Mizenko said. "I’ve hated a lot of things with this pandemic. But we owe it to our taxpayers to be fiscally responsible."

"I pray this is all a moot point in 60 days," Joe Nardini said.

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