School Aid Fight, Political Questions For Toms River In 2020

TOMS RIVER, NJ — While many are eagerly anticipating what the start of the new year means for their lives, in Toms River, 2020 brings with it questions that will likely take time to answer.

Tops on the list is the continuing effort to bring the township together to fight the state's cuts to aid to the Toms River Regional School District.

The anticipated $4.3 million cut in state aid to the district for the 2020-2021 school year, has officials looking at all possibilities for cuts. But with a lean budget that spends below the state average per student, and cuts that have been going on already, the options for cutting are few. Read more: Sports, Clubs, Kindergarten At Risk In Toms River School Aid Cuts

One of the primary issues in the state aid fight is the formula used to calculate a school district's wealth. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney has repeatedly insisted Toms River Regional residents are not paying their fair share to support their school district. But so far, the state Department of Education has refused to release the formula it uses to come up with that figure. Read more: Toms River, Brick Seek 'Secret' Math Equation In School Aid Fight

Toms River students, staff and parents rallied in Trenton in early December, and held a news conference before the December school board meeting, urging residents to join in and keep fighting. Read more: See It: Toms River Takes School Aid Fight To Trenton

Parents and the school district also will be looking to the new township administration for its help in the matter. Maurice "Mo" Hill, who is scheduled to be sworn in as mayor on Friday, has publicly shown support, as have some of the council members.

There has been uncertainty, however, over what will happen in Town Hall. Hill told 44 employees they must reapply for their jobs, the Asbury Park Press reported. The employees were appointees of Mayor Thomas Kelaher, who decided to step down when his term ended Dec. 31.

Though Hill said the move is not unusual, there has been a great deal of friction in the township's Republican party going back to the selection of former Ocean County prosecutor Joseph Coronato as the GOP's Republican candidate. It set off a chain of events that exposed a rift in the party that was related to former Ocean County Republican Party chief George Gilmore. Gilmore controlled the county party for more than 20 years but was forced to step down after his federal conviction on charges he failed to hand over payroll taxes. Read more: Gilmore Conviction: What's Next For Ocean County GOP Chair

But Hill has been repeatedly criticized and accused of being overly influenced by the Orthodox Jewish community in connection with the development issues. His neighbor, Scott Gartner, has threatened to sue the township over a 10-acre zoning provision for houses of worship. A change to that ordinance — part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice — was tabled shortly before the election.

Hill's announcement that Kelaher appointees would have to reapply indicates there are still rifts within the Republican Party. How that is addressed will be a key piece of how the town moves forward. Read more: In Toms River, GOP Still Holds Strong

Other headlines from 2019 of interest:

Voters Approve $147M Toms River Schools Project Package: The approval of the bond package by voters in January was a huge achievement for the Toms River Regional School District. While battles over state aid continue, the work to address needed repairs throughout the district is moving forward.

100th Toms River South-Lakewood Game: It's All About Family: The final whistle on Thanksgiving brought to an end one of the longest Thanksgiving traditions in the Shore Conference. The occasion was sad, but that sadness was overshadowed by the concerns related to school funding.

Demolition Of Inn Begins As Toms River Plans For Future: Downtown redevelopment is in the plans for Toms River, and the elimination of a longstanding eyesore and nuisance was a step toward those plans.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.