The proposed merger of the Toms River and Seaside Heights school districts will go to a special vote next month.

The state Department of Education approved the merger proposal this week, retaining the Hugh Boyd Elementary School for five years in Seaside Heights as part of the compromise.

RELATED: Seaside Heights, Toms River school districts consider plan for merger

Parents at that school were concerned about sending their children to an elementary school across the bridge in Toms River. The new plan will keep those students at the school if enrollment levels stay healthy.

A referendum vote is scheduled for April 16.