Toms River Schools Referendum: A Student Speaks Up

TOMS RIVER, NJ — As the Jan. 22 referendum on a proposal to spend $147 million on repairs and upgrades across the Toms River Regional School District approaches, there are plenty of adults voicing their thoughts.

But what about those who are actually in the buildings?

Zachary Dougherty is a senior at Toms River High School North and has grown up in the Toms River schools. Here's his view on the referendum and on the state of the schools:

You might assume that a high school senior like myself would currently be concerned about finding a date to prom, getting ready for college, or even the daunting task of passing my next math test.

Don’t get me wrong, all of these things deeply frighten me, however I must admit there’s an issue I find far more pressing. I feel it's my duty to speak up for the students who don't have a seat at the table and who are currently on the menu.

I candidly confess that I fear for the future of Toms River Regional Schools if we fail to pass the upcoming referendum.

Now I know what you’re thinking: "What does a teenager know about politics?" Well, it's true
that being 17, I don't pay burdensome taxes and I don’t have the full life experience to
make conjectures on how you should vote. In fact I share the inability to vote with thousands of
other students in my district.

Nevertheless, I urge you to recognize the unique insight a student brings to the table.

My peers and I have spent the last few years being educated in broken-down schools. We’ve
watched inadequate funds slowly lead to decrepit conditions. Hallways with broken tiles,
classrooms with shattered lights, and walls with chipped paint. Countless outdated fixtures and
aged materials that mar the structure and appearance of the schools. Inconsistent heating in the
winter and unreliable cooling in the spring. Dilapidated structures decay on the exterior grounds.
Countless chairs, desk, and equipment are utilized as the last remaining remnants of the 1970s
and 1980s.

Not to mention the mice and roaches you encounter on a weekly basis in the building.

Every day something is broken and it impairs the progress of the teachers and students.

As a community, we’re better than this and we can’t let it represent who we are. Toms River Schools excel academically and in all extracurricular activities. Our students shine with success and they deserve better.

These problems have grown worse and worse over time and they’ve evolved from failing to address it properly from the beginning. It's time we stop kicking the can down the road and we fix our schools. We need to vote yes on the referendum. We owe it to every single student and educator to make school a safe place to grow and learn.

As a senior I could easily leave it to the next generation and close the door behind me. I owe everything to the school district that helped me be the best I can be. I attended Silver Bay Elementary School, where our motto was “Pride Makes the Difference."

I think it's time we step up, vote yes, and be proud of who we are.

Note: This opinion piece has been edited for punctuation.

Image via Toms River Schools