Toms River Schools Approve $306M Budget, Superintendent’s 35% Raise to $308K as Taxes Rise

Toms River, NJ — A school district that warned it was nearing financial collapse last year has now approved a $306 million budget and a new contract that will raise its superintendent’s pay to more than $308,000—while local taxpayers face another increase. Despite selling off properties and even trees to manage past budget shortfalls, the district ignored the majority consensus of the township and voted for the historic pay increase. The Toms River Regional Board of Education voted Wednesday to adopt the 2026–27 budget, which includes a 4.9% tax levy increase, and separately approved a five-year contract for Superintendent Michael Citta that raises his salary from about $228,000 to $275,000 immediately, with scheduled increases reaching $308,012 by 2030. That would be a 35% raise from today to the fifth year of the contract. The decisions come after two years of budget standoffs with the state and ongoing warnings about funding shortfalls tied to New Jersey’s school aid formula. After the contract was approved, the audience, filled with teachers and staff erupted into applause that lasted several minutes. During the vote, Board President Ashley Lamb, KatieCoyne, Jennifer Howe, Lisa Contessa and Kevin Kidney voted yes. Marisa Matarazzo cast the lone no