In July 2025, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act, a landmark bill designed to expand free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds across New Jersey.

Today, families in Bayville (Berkeley Township) and Lacey Township already benefit from free, full-day preschool thanks to this funding. But in Toms River, our district has only been offered 40% funding — making it impossible to launch the program without massive local costs.

This is not fair. Toms River is the largest suburban school district in New Jersey, and our children deserve the same head start as every other child in Ocean County. Families here should not be left behind while neighboring towns move forward.

We call on:

Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education to fully fund preschool in Toms River.

Our local legislators to fight for equitable treatment for Toms River families.

Free preschool is not just about fairness. It’s about giving our children the strongest start possible, supporting working parents, and building a better future for our community.

📍 Toms River is ready to implement preschool. All we need is full funding.

Please sign this petition to demand that Toms River kids get the same opportunities as every other child in New Jersey.