Facing rising costs of special education, Toms River Regional Schools introduced a plan to hub those classes and possibly bring in other children with special needs from around the county.  

Although any potential changes are at least a year away, some parents are split on the centralized special education proposal.  

“Out of 14,500 kids that translates to about 3200 students in special education and with them over the last seven years, has seen an increase in our budget from 39 million to 75 million dollars,” said Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Citta.  

And with no end in sight on cost increases, Superintendent Citta spoke to parents directly at last week’s board meeting, introducing a plan, potentially for the 2026-2027 school year.  

According to that plan, Toms River Intermediate North becomes a hub for special education students, sixth-grade students move back to elementary schools, and the opportunity will be there to bring in other Ocean County special needs students to Toms River Intermediate North. 

“We know if we could build a program like other counties have, we could facilitate a similar but better education for those kids in their backyard for about $65,000-70,000 per student. That’s about an $8 million savings right off the bat,” said Citta.  

Some parents of special needs children, like Lily Panella, spoke out against the plan, worried about a hub blocking inclusion with typical students. 

“To now hear that the district is considering moving special ed students into a single building feels like a complete reversal of that philosophy,” said Lily Panella, commenting at last week’s school board meeting.  

“We can create other inclusion and mainstreaming opportunities because we are so centrally located,” added Citta.  

Superintendent Citta says another benefit of having a special needs hub at Toms River Intermediate North is that it would be less than 1 mile from the RWJ Barnabus Health Field of Dreams. 

“You want to try and make the transition for your child as easy as possible. To cut down the travel time to 10 to15 minutes but then to know you have a place to go right outside of school around the corner just shows what the school district is trying to do for the special needs community,” said Christian Kane, a parent of a special needs child and the co-founder of the Field of Dreams.  

“Inclusion isn’t optional. It’s not a luxury or a talking point. It’s a responsibility you all have and it’s the right thing to do,” said Panella.  

The district wants to hear more feedback from parents, as the specifics and programs are still being developed.