TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS ENTREPRENEURIAL BY NATURE WWW.TRSCHOOLS.COM
ENTREPRENEUR TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS WHAT: A large, community-driven district that blends deep local roots with forward-looking programs to create meaningful opportunities for every student. WHERE: Toms River, New Jersey WEBSITE: www.trschools.com PREPARING GEN Z FOR A FUTURE 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
RIAL BY NATURE Toms River Regional Schools is not just keeping pace with change in New Jersey education; it is leaning into it. In a district with deep roots and an eye on what’s ahead, every decision really comes down to one simple question: what will create the most opportunity for students? Superintendent Michael Citta puts it plainly.“Our goal is to create the most opportunities for our children to have success, whatever that looks like. It’s our job to help facilitate their dreams.” E THEY’RE READY TO BUILD 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
With more than 14,500 students, the seventh-largest district in the state carries both a historic legacy and the needs of a modern, fast-changing economy. Founded in 1891,Toms River has educated multiple generations, yet it has never lost the small-town feeling that grounds its approach.“We may be citysized in population, but our schools operate like tight-knit neighborhoods,” Citta says.“Eighty percent of our staff are graduates or residents of Toms River. That inherent buy-in is built into everything we do.” CREATING A CULTURE OF BELONGING One of the strongest themes across Toms River is its commitment to student and staff well-being.At Toms River High School South, Assistant Principal and Business Academy Principal Chris Peck explains that support begins with connection.“The most important thing is the family feeling,” he says. “Students need to feel like they’re never alone and that whatever help they need will be there for them.” That philosophy shows up in practical ways. The school’s student mentorship program is entirely voluntary, staffed by teachers who sign up because they care. “More than half our faculty volunteers,” Peck shares. “Nobody gets paid for it. They do it because they believe in the kids.” Monthly gatherings bring students and staff together over pizza, board games, and conversations, offering a safe, welcoming environment that naturally improves engagement and, ultimately, academic performance. Peck notes that this sense of belonging directly translates into teacher support as well. “Our teachers feel that same efficacy. When the adults feel supported, the students feel it too.” WHERE GENERATIONS GROW TOGETHER Toms River’s size is often surprising given the warmth of its culture, but Citta explains that it’s intentional. “We have twelve elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools, each centered around neighborhoods. You truly get that small-town feel as students move through the feeder patterns.” Generational roots run deep. “A lot of people in our community are second, third, even fourth generation,” Photo Credit: Toms River High School South student Gab TR Grind, a student-run pop-up coffee shop, was the idea and capstone business project of High School South seniors who graduated in 2025. The business, however, lives on, with current South seniors selling coffee to students and staff and other potential customers in the building. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
brielle Carvalho 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
Farro’s Tees has been a proud cornerstone of our community for more than 32 years. We take great pride in providing exceptional service, high-quality products, and ensuring that every customer is treated with care and efficiency. Our commitment to the community extends far beyond business. Through donations, sponsorships, and charitable initiatives—including the distribution of thousands of jackets and fleeces to those in need—we strive to make a positive impact in every way possible. With two convenient locations in Bricktown and Toms River, New Jersey, customers can visit our showrooms to explore a wide range of apparel and products ready for custom decoration—whether for your business, team, or loved ones. As a family-owned business, we are proud to employ more than 30 dedicated team members whom we also consider part of our family. At Farro’s Tees, we believe in combining craftsmanship, community, and care in everything we do. WWW.FARROSTEES.COM TOMS RIVER: 732-929-2228 BRICK: 732-458-2900
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Thirty-two years ago, with just $500 left to his name, the founder of Farro’s Tees Dominic Farro took a gamble that would change the trajectory of his life and eventually, the branding landscape of an entire region. What began as a last-ditch effort to make ends meet has grown into one of the area’s most trusted names in screen printing, embroidery, and promotional merchandise. Today, Farro’s Tees employs more than 30 people, with two great locations and two showrooms, one in Toms River and the other in Brick, NJ. This stands as a testament to what determination, consistency, and customer-first values can build. Farro’s Tees has evolved well beyond the role of a traditional T-shirt shop. The company now delivers a full spectrum of branding services: high-quality screen printing known for its vivid colors and durability; precision embroidery on hats, jackets, polos, and more; DTF printing for cutting-edge accuracy and versatility; custom webstores for teams and fundraisers; and a wide range of promotional items that help businesses, schools, and organizations stand out in a crowded world. Whether it’s merchandise for a major event or uniforms for a local team, Farro’s Tees approaches every project with the same blend of craftsmanship and care that has fueled its growth for three decades. But the company’s real competitive edge lies in its philosophy. Each day, the founder and his employees show up with a singular mission: make every customer 100% happy. Orders are delivered on time and often ahead of schedule and every detail is handled with the expectation of exceeding what the customer imagined. Farro’s Tees also reinvests in itself yearly, upgrading equipment and adopting the latest industry innovations. It’s a forward-looking mindset that ensures clients always receive the highest-quality products and the freshest, most advanced design options available. Despite its steady expansion, Farro’s Tees has never lost sight of the community that supported its earliest days. The company is known for giving back generously, from clothing donations to large-scale giveaways for families in need. It’s a business built on gratitude as much as grit. Looking ahead, the vision is bold: statewide franchising and a major digital footprint that makes ordering easier than ever.Yet even with growth on the horizon, the heart of Farro’s Tees remains unchanged. What started as a $500 dream has become an essential, community-rooted brand that continues to prove that quality, passion, and purpose never go out of style.
he says. “That pride carries forward. You see it in everything from attendance to local involvement.” This environment supports both high achievers headed to Ivy League universities and young entrepreneurs launching their first business ideas. For Citta, the key is exposure.“It’s our job to expose kids to as many opportunities as possible. Students drive the bus in shaping their pathways. We help open the doors.” THE BUSINESS ACADEMY: A HUB OF INNOVATION If there is one program that captures Toms River’s forward-thinking vision, it is the Business Academy at High School South. Designed around the needs and interests of Gen Z, the academy merges entrepreneurship, technology, and hands-on learning. Peck recalls how the idea came to life. “When we looked at Gen Z research, the word that kept coming up was entrepreneurial,” he says. “These students want flexibility, creativity, and meaningful work. We knew we could build something special.” A partnership with the Hovnanian Corporation provided a crucial seed grant of $150,000 to renovate what was once a shop room. Teachers collaborated to design a cutting-edge space based on the Learner Active Technology Infused Classroom model. “Everything is on wheels,” Peck says.“Furniture, smart boards, partitions. Every class transforms the room into what they need. It’s like walking into a different facility every period.” Photo Credit: Toms River High School South student Gabrielle Carvalho Toms River High School South students collaborate within one of the cubicles of the school’s Business Academy headquarters. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
The space features a stock market ticker, dual smart boards, LED lighting, collaborative work areas, and a conference-style environment that mirrors a business incubator. “The idea was to build a facility students would want to be in,” he explains.“Now the kids and the programming are the attraction.” REAL SKILLS FOR THE REAL WORLD The Business Academy promises students three things: meaningful field experience, access to unique college credits, and industry-recognized credentials. Students earn certifications such as Bloomberg Market Concepts, a rigorous financial training program typically used by professionals. “That certification means something beyond high school,” Peck explains. “It’s meaningful once you walk out our doors.” Entrepreneurship students also complete the Certiport ESB certification, solidifying their understanding of small business fundamentals. But experience matters just as much as credentials. Seniors complete a 10-hour internship with a business of their choosing, supported by partnerships with The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, the Toms River Business Improvement District, and organizations across the downtown core. For students without personal connections, these groups open doors. “We work with real business people, not just teachers grading papers,” Peck says.“They help our kids build realistic business plans, use actual financial software, and even compete in a Shark Tank style challenge with scholarships for the winners.” The district’s connection to JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community restaurant founded by Jon Bon Jovi, offers an additional avenue for students to volunteer or complete internships.“We have about six to eight students working there right now,” Peck notes. PATHWAYS FOR EVERY STUDENT The entrepreneurial pathway is one of several emerging tracks across the district. Citta highlights the district’s expansion into trades education.“We’re Photo Credit: Toms River High School South student Gab The Business Academy was strategically implemented at High School South, in no small part because the school sits in the heart of downtown Toms River, and students utilize their lunch, school, and free time to both patronize and partner with the bustling local business community. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
now working with local union 172 to create an apprenticeship pathway for students heading into the trades,” he says. The program, Project SPEAR-IT, began with a United Way grant to support students struggling with attendance. Michael Kenny, Coordinator of the Office of Grants and Communications, recalls how it evolved.“We started with freshmen and sophomores who weren’t engaged,” he says. “We exposed them to the trades, and it grew into six classes with more than one hundred students. It’s become one of South’s signature programs.” Kenny adds that many of these initiatives thrive because grants, community partnerships, and substantial student input support them. “You lend us support, and we’ll run with it,” he says.“That’s what makes Toms River unique.” STUDENT-LED BUSINESSES AND REAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP The Business Academy has already produced studentrun ventures that continue long after graduation. One standout is the TR Grind, a fully operational coffee shop inside the school.“It started as a senior capstone project,” Peck says.“Today it’s a real business. I bought my coffee there this morning.” Students manage budgeting, inventory, customer service, and operations. “Each year we train a new crew to keep it going,” he explains.“It’s a legacy piece.” The school store, another student-led initiative, follows the same model. Peck sees these experiences as essential to the district’s vision.“We want students to be able to stay in Toms River if they want to,” he says.“If we give them the skills to launch a business or work remotely in an evolving economy, then they can stay here, build their lives here, and reinvest in the community.” INNOVATION THAT EXTENDS TO INFRASTRUCTURE Behind the scenes, the district manages massive operational responsibilities. “We have twenty-one locations and many aging buildings,” Citta explains. “Infrastructure is huge for us.” brielle Carvalho 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (Brilliant), founded in 2006 by Philip I. Brilliant, LSRP, is a fullservice environmental consulting firm based in Toms River, NJ, with a satellite office in Haddonfield, NJ. Specializing in site remediation, Brilliant provides a comprehensive range of environmental due diligence services, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments, Preliminary Assessments, Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP) Services with LSRPs on staff and Underground Storage Tank (UST) services for both commercial and residential clients. The company also offers Child Care Licensing Environmental Services, expert support for legal cases including reporting and testimony, and consulting for Brownfields redevelopment. With over 35 years of experience, Founder Philip I. Brilliant is an established leader in the industry and an inaugural member of the New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board (SRPLB). He has held leadership roles, including Treasurer of GreenFaith and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and is a frequent lecturer and instructor on underground storage tank and site remediation topics. Brilliant is fully certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for UST services and is fully insured, including Pollution Liability coverage, ensuring reliable and trusted service for its clients in both the public and private sectors. Don’t rely on any expert, hire a Brilliant expert Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC is a full service environmental consulting firm with the expertise to manage, oversee and assist with all site remediation projects. Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC 163 Route 37 West; Suite 201 Toms River, NJ 08755 (732) 818-3380 www.BrilliantEnvironmental.com marketing@brilliantenvironmental.com Site Remediation Experts LSRPs On Staff Soil/Water Testing Expert Testimony/Reporting Insured and Certified Tank Removal & Assessments FREE CONSULTATION TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
A recently completed 160-million-dollar referendum project added air conditioning and updated essential mechanical systems across schools. But Toms River stretches its dollars creatively. “We’re the lowest spending per pupil district in New Jersey,” Citta says. “We take that seriously because our taxpayers are part of our educational family.” The district supplements its budget with several enterprise operations. A large air-supported structure hosts state track meets and regional events, generating significant revenue.At High School North, the district partnered with RWJ Barnabas Health on a $600,000 naming agreement for a 4,000-seat arena that hosts sports, concerts, and trade shows. These revenues offset capital costs. Project SPEAR-IT students even assist with campus improvements, learning HVAC and hands-on trades skills while updating their own facilities. “We’re reinvesting in ourselves every day,” Citta says. LISTENING, LEARNING, AND LEADING As Toms River advances its programs, the district’s priorities remain clear. Expanding pathways, strengthening community connections, developing real-world experiences, and ensuring students of Photo Credit: Toms River High School South For capstone and entrepreneurship-based projects, Business Academy students have to pitch local professionals in Shark Tank-style challenges. While assessing contestants, judges provide plenty of constructive feedback. For added pressure, these competitions are recorded and broadcast by the school’s TRSTV Broadcast Journalism program, itself a career-ready pathway for students to learn what it takes to be in front of and behind the camera. 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
Photo Credit: Toms River High School South student Gabrielle Carvalho Students teach and learn from each other at the Business Academy in Toms River, New Jersey. 13 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Farro’s Tees www.farrostees.com Farro’s Tees is your one-stop shop for custom apparel and promotional products, operating from two New Jersey locations. We specialize in screen printing, embroidery, DTF printing, business printing, web stores, banners, varsity jackets, and a wide range of promo items. Everything is designed to help organizations elevate their brand. n Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC www.brilliantenvironmental.com Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (Brilliant) provides comprehensive environmental consulting, remediation, and compliance solutions for commercial, industrial, and municipal clients. We combine technical expertise, innovative methods, and a commitment to sustainability to deliver safe, efficient, and regulatory-aligned results that protect communities, support responsible growth, and preserve natural resources for the future ahead. every background have a place to thrive are all at the forefront. Citta frames the district’s future. “Learning doesn’t happen until there’s a connection,” he says.“We want every student to find their hook, whether that’s the trades, business, technology, the military, a four-year college, or something we haven’t even imagined yet.” What Toms River proves is that when a district listens to its students, invests in its community, and embraces innovation without losing its roots, the results are transformational. “We’re really on to something,” Citta says. “And it’s our students who show us the way.” 14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
WWW.TRSCHOOLS.COM WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE Toms River Regional Schools
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