Toms River – In a bid to address the challenges facing Toms River School District, Maria Matarazzo and Diane Oxley have joined forces to run for the Toms River School Board. Running under the slogan “Students First”, their campaign is driven by deep concerns over rising school taxes coupled with the decline in student performance on standardized tests.
School taxes are up 10% this year alone, translating to a $17.4 million dollar increase in spending. This is a continuation of a five year trend where the districts budget has swelled from $240 million in 2019, to $290 million for the upcoming 2024 school year. This dramatic increase in spending occurs as the district simultaneously experienced a significant drop in enrollment. Over that same five year period, the district lost 1,000 students. Matarazzo and Oxley have stated that the district needs to, “cut wasteful spending and eliminate unnecessary positions” to get the budget under control.
Maria Matarazzo, who has built a 20-year career in real estate within the community, pointed out the broader repercussions of these trends. “When our property taxes go up and our students’ test scores go down, it’s not just an educational issue; it affects our property values as well,” Matarazzo explained. Her insights highlight the intertwined nature of educational success and community property values. “For many residents, our homes are our biggest investment,” she added.
State standardized testing data paints a concerning picture as well, with 43% of students failing standardized tests in reading and writing, and 28% falling short in mathematics. Diane Oxley, bringing her perspective as a teacher, shared her distress over these academic outcomes. “Seeing our children struggle academically is deeply distressing. We’re not just failing in terms of numbers; we’re failing our future,” Oxley said. She further highlighted the financial strain on the community, particularly its most vulnerable members. “The rise in school taxes also places an undue burden on our senior residents who are on fixed incomes. It’s a double hit to our community,” Oxley added.
Matarazzo and Oxley are advocating for a comprehensive review and adjustment of the district’s financial management and educational strategies, aiming to realign the district’s priorities to ensure both fiscal responsibility and academic excellence. Their campaign represents a critical reflection on the current state of education in Toms River and a hopeful vision for taxpayers and students.
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