The JACKSON Times Vol. 22 - No. 24
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Pages 7
Community News Pages 8-9
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Holiday Events Brighten Yuletide Season
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – It was a weekend of holiday fun, bright lights, cheer and song as the township welcomed in the yuletide season with two special events. T he com mu nit y Christmas tree lit up brightly at the Jackson Township Municipal Building during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event of course featured a visit from Santa Claus. There was plenty of holid ay music performed to help kick off the season as well as costumed characters who g reeted you ng attendees. The Santa meet-and-greet was a
Photos by Bob Vosseller (Above) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer joins two elves from Jackson High School during this year’s Toyland event held at the Jackson Senior Center. big attraction which allowed for parents to capture memorable photos of their children with
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Kris Kringle. Vo l u n t e e r s were on hand A tree lighting ceremony was to assist. A f t e r held at the township municipal S a n t a ’s complex. visit, at tendees Church Choir and enterenjoyed musical tainment from DJ J Pro, performances by providing continuous the Jackson Baptist (Holiday - See Page 5) (Left) Eshal Hadi, a Jackson High School freshman member of the Interact Club dressed as an elf and was busy facepainting the faces of young people like 7-year-old Addison Applegate.
Classifieds Page 18
County Special Education Hub Proposed
By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – Every school day, hundreds of students are bused to private special education schools because their home schools don’t have the resources for them. Toms River, in the middle of the county, wants them to come there instead.
Superintendent Michael Cit t a pitched the idea for a regional special education hub at Intermediate North during a meeting of the Senate Education Committee. He said that this plan, if it went th roug h, would be at least a year out. There are eight counties in New Jer-
sey that already have a county-based special education system. If you add up all the public schools in Ocean County, there are currently 882 special education students that are sent out of district, he said. The 29 school districts spend $109 million in tuition per year, averaging
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$137,000 per student. Toms River has 118 out of district students, Citta said. They spend about $9.5 million per year, plus another $3 million on busing. Tuition for a single student might be $90,000, upward to $200,000. These students are sent out because the districts don’t have the
resources to care for the students in the way that their education plan requires. They might specific medical and behavioral needs. A central hub that has all the medical, behavioral, and other needs for these children would benef it
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(Special Ed See Page 12)
December 13, 2025
Argument Starts At New Councilman’s First Meeting
Photo courtesy Christopher Pollak New Councilman Christopher Pollak joins his wife and son as Township Clerk Sandra Martin at right, administers the oath of office during a recent Township Council meeting. By Bob Vossellers the addition of ChrisJACKSON – T he topher Pollak who was Township Council has elected last month. seen some shifting seats Pollak will fill a counon the dais with both cil spot and he is calling fresh and familiar faces. for change in how the The newest change is (Meeting - See Page 12)
Teacher’s Illness Delays Sex Crime Case
By Stephanie Faughnan FREEHOLD – The criminal prosecution of former Freehold Intermediate School teacher Allison Havemann-Niedrach was delayed on December 8 after the 44-year-old Jackson resident failed to appear in court for a hearing intended to determine whether the case would resolve through a plea agreement or proceed toward trial. Before Judge Jill O’Malley, attorney Matthew Mordas appeared on Havemann-Niedrach’s behalf. After meeting in chambers with Mordas and Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor (Teacher - See Page 4)
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