Yesterday, May 1, 2019, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer joined the fight against State budget cuts for the Toms River Regional School District.   Prosecutor Billhimer is particularly concerned that the elimination of extra-curricular activities and athletic programs will cause an increase in juvenile delinquency in Toms River.  Please see Prosecutor Billhimer’s letter to Governor Philip D. Murphy below.

May 1, 2019

Honorable Philip D. Murphy, Governor

Office of the Governor

225 West State Street, 3rd Floor

P.O. Box 001

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

 RE:      State Funding for the Toms River Regional School District

Dear Governor Murphy:

In my capacity as Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the County of Ocean, I am writing to you to express my concern regarding the reduction of State funding for the Toms River Regional School District — the largest school district in Ocean County.  There are over 16,000 students attending 18 schools in Toms River.  Toms River Regional School District employs approximately 2,700 people, most of whom reside here in Toms River.  The current funding formula will cause the Toms River Schools to lose more than $83,000,000.00 over the next five years.  This drastic reduction in State aid will result in over 400 staff cuts (83 this year alone), larger class sizes and the eventual elimination of extracurricular activities and athletic programs.

From a law enforcement perspective, the elimination of extra-curricular activities and athletic programs are of particular concern.  Approximately 13,000 students in Toms River Schools participate in extra-curricular activities and/or athletic programs.  For these students, their day does not end in the early afternoon.  The research is very clear that after school hours tend to be the most generative time for juvenile delinquency and problem behaviors.  In fact, during the school week, studies show that juvenile crime peaks between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.  The importance of after-school extracurricular activities and athletic programs cannot be understated.

I truly believe there is a direct correlation between how adolescents spend their time and juvenile delinquency.  Adolescents that spend their after-school time with positive adult supervision exhibit better behavioral outcomes, including fewer delinquent behaviors, better school performance and higher positive aspirations.  The ripple effect of the reduction in State aid in Toms River clearly goes beyond the classroom.

Additionally, Toms River is the county seat in Ocean County.  We are, collectively, ground zero for the opioid epidemic in New Jersey.  Regrettably, we rank highest in the rates of addiction, overdoses and Narcan deployments statewide.  More adolescents with less to do during their after-school hours will undermine our most diligent efforts to halt this trend.  This is a grave concern.

The potential rise in juvenile delinquency will undoubtedly emanate into our community and have a deleterious effect on the health and well-being of our children.  I respectfully request that you take whatever action that is necessary to address these concerns.

Thank you for your attention and courtesies in this regard.

Respectfully,

BRADLEY D. BILLHIMER

OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR

BDB/bla

cc:        Honorable Stephen M. Sweeney, Senate President

Honorable Craig J. Coughlin, Speaker of the General Assembly

Honorable Paul A. Sarlo, Chair — Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

Dr. Lamont Repollet, Commissioner of Education

Honorable M. Teresa Ruiz, Chair — Senate Education Committee

Honorable Pamela R. Lampitt, Chair — Assembly Education Committee

Honorable James W. Holzapfel

Honorable Gregory P. McGuckin

Honorable David W. Wolfe

Superintendent David M. Healy

Assistant Superintendent Debra L. McKenna

Assistant Superintendent James Ricotta, Jr.

Assistant Superintendent Marc A. Natanagara

Members of the Board of Education