April 7, 2025- Last week was a busy one with regard to Toms River Regional Schools' budget, and Superintendent Michael Citta was out in front of it all, conducting interviews, hosting meetings, and communicating the latest.

Wednesday was the annual Citizen's Budget Advisory Meeting, during which the details of the 2025-2026 budget were presented by Business Administrator William Doering and others, and which was prefaced by an extensive update from Citta. That included a mention of the sale of the business office building at 1144 Hooper Avenue, which officially passed as an Ocean County Board of Commissioners resolution April 3. Those superintendent's comments have been clipped as a stand alone from the budget meeting, and can be viewed below:

Prior to the Wednesday evening budget meeting, Citta sat down with NJ Spotlight's Joanna Gagis for a virtual interview regarding the district's ongoing budget issues related to S2. Snippets from that interview are posted below.

Thursday, of course, was the TR Excellence Expo, a showcase of district talent, made all the more special considering the budget constraints under which students and staff learn and teach. There, Citta had numerous one-on-one conversations with staff members, families, and everyday residents, conveying through words and smiles that he remains upbeat and encouraged (left).

And finally, last Friday, to cap a bustling week, Citta officially informed business office staff about their collective and temporary move to an 1144 third-floor suite which, despite the circumstances surrounding it, had many hopeful, excited, and reinvigorated to continue their work in education from a different physical environment.