Toms River School Board Seeks Input On Superintendent Search

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional Board of Education has scheduled virtual meetings and released surveys to gather input as it seeks a new superintendent to succeed David Healy.

The school board has scheduled virtual meetings for Oct. 15, Oct. 16, Oct. 19, Oct. 20, Oct. 22, and Oct. 23.

One session will be solely for district staff, and one will be for community members who do not have children enrolled in the district.

Healy, who was hired to lead the district in 2014, announced he will retire as of Jan. 1. He was selected following a lengthy search process conducted by an outside firm that included a community-wide survey in 2013.

That survey "informed the goal-setting process through today and helped spur core initiatives in technology and facilities, as well as develop programs such as full-day kindergarten and Career Academies at each of our high schools," the board said in announcing the virtual meetings and surveys.

A staff-only version of the survey was sent to Toms River school district staff this week, officials said. Emails to the schools' families included a link to the community version of the survey.

Anyone who did not receive the link can access the survey here. The survey also provides an opportunity to register for the virtual meetings.

Those who want to take part in the virtual meetings can participate by video or phone call. Each speaker will have three minutes, and all of the sessions except the one for Toms River Schools' staff will be capped at 45 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In an effort to hear from as many community members as possible, each person will only be permitted to speak once. If there is incredible demand, the board will add sessions.

Meetings will be streamed from Conference Room A at 1144 Hooper Ave. and will be available for the public to view on the district’s YouTube channel.

Community members interested in participating can RSVP via the community survey or call 732-505-5500, extension 500005 or 500007. The virtual meeting dates are as follows:

• Oct. 15, 3 p.m.: Toms River Schools staff only
• Oct. 16, 3 p.m.: for TRRS families with children in the district
• Oct. 19, 6 p.m.: for TRRS families with children in the district
• Oct. 20, 6 p.m.: for TRRS families with children in the district
• Oct. 22, 6 p.m.: for community members without children enrolled in the district
• Oct. 23, 3 p.m.: for TRRS families with children in the district

"It is the board’s hope that stakeholders will use these opportunities to share what they appreciate about our district and to help our leaders understand how they can better serve the community in the future," the announcement said.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.