Toms River teacher paycheck deductions funding lawsuit against NJ

💲A cut in state funding left the district with a $26.5 million deficit

💲The district announced plans to file a lawsuit against the state

💲Teachers can 'fight the quest for fair funding' with a payroll deduction

TOMS RIVER — Faculty and staff are being asked to help with the district's legal battle against the state over school funding.

The Toms River Regional School District Board of Education announced in July it would file a lawsuit after a $137 million cut for the 2024-25 academic year left the district with a $26.5 million deficit.

According to an email obtained by New Jersey 101.5, schools Superintendent Michael Citta asked district employees at the beginning of the school year to help "fund the quest for fair funding." The email does not mention any kind of legal action.

"As a school district, we do not have the ability to fund such a quest, but as individuals and stakeholders we absolutely do. It is important to note that participation in this is 100% voluntary and is certainly no business of mine, your administrations, or your colleagues as to whether you contribute or not," Citta wrote.

In a statement district spokesman Michael Kenny said that the donation form was the result of staff inquiries.

The "voluntary deduction form," in which employees indicate the amount they want deducted per paycheck, says their contributions would go to "Fair Funding for Students," described as a "New Jersey non-profit corporation."

"Examples of possible uses include, but are not limited to, a lobbying campaign to seek legislation to support fair funding for students, efforts to tell our story and demonstrate the need for fair funding on all platforms, at all appropriate venues, and at all levels (local, state and national), and professional services," the form reads.

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Brand new group

A Google search for "Fair Funding for Students" does not turn up any online presence for the group.

"Fair Funding For Students is a community-based (not district) non-profit (not charity) 501(c)(4). It's newly formed so there's no web presence yet, but I understand that is in the works," Kenny said.

He could not disclose how many employees have requested a deduction because it is "100-percent voluntary and also anonymous."

A Toms River teacher who teaches in two district schools told New Jersey 101.5 that she is not aware of anyone who has asked for the payroll deduction.

"Anybody that I've spoken to is like, 'no way, no, sorry," the teacher said.

NJEA Director of Communications Steven Baker told New Jersey 101.5 the state office has not heard from any members concerned about the deduction. He said it was important to note that the deduction is voluntary.

"NJEA encourages members to be strong advocates, especially when it comes to their students and their schools. If members want to join with other likeminded advocates on issues like school funding, that can benefit everyone. Our members care deeply about the success of their students, and this is another example of how so many of them go above and beyond to keep our schools strong," Baker said in an email.

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Lawsuit filed

The lawsuit filed Monday contends the state violated the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 leaving the district "operating at levels significantly below," which "deprives the district of the funding and resources to provide, and all of its students, especially those who are at risk and have special needs, to receive the essential resources needed for a thorough and efficient system of education."

The lawsuit also says the funding cuts have led to an increase in chronic absenteeism, bullying and increased behavioral problems because of a lack of supervision.

The Jackson school district said it intends to file a lawsuit but has not yet taken that action.

Eric Scott contributed to this report.

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