Toms River Schools Ink 5-Year Deal With RWJ Barnabas

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- The Toms River Regional Board of Education approved a five-year, $637,500 sponsorship agreement with RWJ Barnabas Health that includes naming rights to the arena at Toms River High School North.

The agreement, announced by Superintendent David Healy, begins Jan. 1, and is a multifaceted partnership, he said.

"This is more of a partnership than a sponsorship," Healy said. "Everything from student internships to wellness education to athletic protocol is being discussed, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Amy Mansue, president of the Southern Region for RWJBarnabas Health, echoed those sentiments, saying, "This partnership provides us with the unique opportunity to collaborate with the Toms River School district in a meaningful way to develop education and wellness opportunities that will directly affect the community.”

"We look forward to the next five years of working together," she said.

The official name of the 3,200-seat arena has yet to be determined, and an announcement will be made during the first quarter of 2018. A temporary banner will soon be placed on the arena, which will host a handful of major events this winter including the WOBM Christmas Classic basketball tournament and a popular restaurant show.

The district had a five-year partnership with Pine Belt that expired last year. "We are grateful to Pine Belt for their support over the years," Healy said.

The district has maintained a positive working relationship with RWJBarnabas Health over the years, and the two entities were brought together for this particular effort by Fox Run Group, a NJ-based company specializing in sponsorship management.

Healy said the district contracted for the services of Fox Run Group and its president, Angelo Scialfa, in September 2016 to further expand their efforts in securing alternative revenue sources from corporate sponsorships.

The district has brought in $2 million in sponsorships and grant funds in the last two years, he said.

In addition to the naming rights to the arena, RWJBarnabas Health will serve as a consultant on planned updates to health-based curriculum, particularly for the STEAM Academy School of Biomedicine, and will work with teachers and staff on training in an effort to support and prepare students for future healthcare positions, the district said.

The district and RWJBarnabas Health plan to explore student-centered opportunities in emergency preparedness, sustainability, and cyber security, as well as partnerships for grant programs and wellness initiatives such as blood drives, screenings, nutrition consultation, and youth sports.

“This will allow both of our organizations to leverage resources to serve the students and their families," Mansue said. "We look forward to investing in health education and overall community wellness.”

Business Administrator William Doering said the cash value of the contract is the highest so far. The Pine Belt sponsorship included a $500,000 cash provision, Doering said, and the Poland Spring agreement, which was a three-year deal, paid $170,000. Doering said there were other aspects of the Poland Spring agreement including bottled water that was to be provided but the value of that is not clear.

The district had been working on a pact with Hackensack Meridian Health earlier this year, but talks on that fizzled after it was reported in July.

"RWJBarnabas Health is a trusted name with a significant local presence, and this agreement will truly benefit our students and community," Healy said.

"Community Medical Center has a strong commitment to creating healthier communities and this partnership will provide greater access to health education opportunities – both personal and career related - for students, staff and the community at large," said Michael Mimoso, president and chief executive officer for Community Medical Center. "We look forward to furthering this innovative partnership."

Board President Ben Giovine; Business Administrator William Doering; Superintendent David Healy; Amy Mansue, president of the Southern Region for RWJBarnabas Health; Michael Mimoso, president and chief executive officer for Community Medical Center, and Teri Kubiel, vice president, Patient Experience and Community Affairs at Community Medical Center. Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff