The Toms River (N.J.) Regional School Board – facing millions in state funding shortfalls – has voted unanimously to lay off 240 employees.

NJ.com reports that those affected are non-instructional employees—90 bus drivers, 70 cafeteria and playground aides, 50 cafeteria workers, 25 bus attendants and five mechanics.

Superintendent David M. Healy blamed the layoffs on the financial impact of coronavirus and the loss of $5.2 million in state aid, as well as continued annual cuts in funding from the state.

The cuts will be based on seniority and employees who worked for the district the longest will be offered re-employment first, says Healy.

The cuts are “the most painful, most difficult thing I ever had to do in my career ever,” Healy says. “Hopefully we will be able to restore our positions shortly (and) this nightmare that we’re all living will end soon. We’ve lost millions and millions of dollars each year.".