Toms River-Seaside Heights School Merger Info Sessions Scheduled

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional School District is holding a series of information sessions beginning Monday on the proposal to merge the Seaside Heights School District into the Toms River Regional Schools.

The districts received approval March 7 from Kevin Dehmer, the acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education, to hold a referendum on April 16 on the proposed merger, which also would withdraw Seaside Heights from the Central Regional School District.

Michael Citta, superintendent of the Toms River Regional schools, will host a series of town hall meetings starting Monday, March 18, to answer questions from the public about the proposed merger.

The following meetings are scheduled:

• Monday, March 18 at High School North, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 19 at Intermediate South, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 21 at High School East, 6 p.m.

The Toms River Regional Board of Education also has a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Toms River Intermediate School East, not its usual site of Toms River North.

"It's so, so important to me and to everyone here that we do everything we can to educate people on this important issue," Citta said. "And I want folks to hear it directly from me, so they have nothing but the facts. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Town Hall meetings next week."

Residents in Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River and Seaside Heights who are not registered to vote have until Tuesday, March 26, to register to be able to vote April 16. Voters can register at the Ocean County Clerk's Office, 118 Washington St.