A dispute between Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick and Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Citta escalated into a public confrontation this week, with Rodrick calling for Citta’s resignation and the superintendent responding with a sharply worded letter accusing the mayor of political interference and slander.
Rodrick’s demand came a day after an Asbury Park Press report revealed that the Toms River Regional Board of Education had been threatened with legal action over what was described as “unnecessary and intentional meddling” by the mayor in the superintendent’s authority. The dispute centers on a proposed new contract for Citta that was scheduled for a vote at a special Oct. 8 school board meeting but was abruptly canceled and has not returned to the agenda.
The proposed contract would raise Citta’s salary from $228,159 to $275,000, with increases reaching $308,012 by the 2029–30 school year. Following the canceled meeting, the board’s attorney sought guidance from the New Jersey School Ethics Commission on whether the Doctrine of Necessity could be used to allow conflicted board members to vote. In a Nov. 25 advisory opinion, the commission rejected that request.
The opinion cited allegations that Rodrick and his chief of staff, Drew Chabot, contacted board members eligible to vote and pressured them not to approve the contract. Board President Ashley Lamb and member Lisa Contessa raised concerns about “outside influence and political pressure” during an Oct. 15 executive session. The commission found those claims did not justify invoking the doctrine.
Rodrick denied interfering, saying he has no authority over the superintendent’s contract and calling the proposed raise excessive amid rising school taxes and spending. He criticized recent tax increases and said district spending has grown significantly while enrollment has declined.
In his response, Citta said the district’s financial crisis was long anticipated following state aid cuts under the S2 law and rejected claims that the contract was driven by personal gain. He said the contract was initiated by the board, approved by the state, and represented a market adjustment, noting he had frozen his salary in recent years.
Citta said Rodrick’s statements “crossed a line” and emphasized that politics should not intrude into school operations. The superintendent’s contract has not returned to the board’s agenda, and no formal action has been taken on the mayor’s call for his resignation.