Letting The Process Play Out

Needless to say Toms River is in the news these days and as is so often the case it’s not for something good because we know good news doesn’t really sell. The story involving Superintendent Michael J. Ritacco and the Toms River Regional School District will play out over the coming days, weeks and months and nobody really knows how it will end. Most rational people will allow the process to play itself out and depend on the justice system to work. However I can’t understand those that are almost joyful over what’s taken place because regardless of the outcome this is not something positive.

In conversation with some longtime residents they fear the negative connotations this will have on the town and especially the school district, which has been recognized throughout New Jersey for it’s creative approach in getting things done and maintaining a fair tax rate. There is no doubt the district has helped draw people to the area as schools are always a large reason why people move to or from towns. The fact that Toms River was among a handful of larger districts to approve their school budget just last week proves that by and large the community supports the programs in place.

While one can’t be naïve to the recent developments there cannot be a rush to judgment nor should anything take place that would interfere with the education of students, who believe it or not are much more pre-occupied by what’s going on in their lives. I attended a lip sync contest at Toms River High School South Friday night and everyone was focused on the stage and the performers….on Saturday night I went to a baseball game at Toms River North and all eyes were on the field and the players. That’s the way it should be.

It’s hard to imagine right now but there will be an end of this story some day. It’s how we treat the time between now and then that will really show our true colors.