Education foundation gives Lawrence Township schools $32,140 for STEAM ZSpace stations

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation presented the Board of Education with a $32,140 grant from Bristol Myers Squibb to support STEAM instruction in Lawrence Township Public Schools, the foundation and district leaders said at the board meeting.

The grant will fund five ZSpace immersive learning stations, associated software licenses, a one-year warranty and on-site professional learning, Bonnie Giglio, executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, told the board. "The LTF is honored and excited to present the Board of Education with a check for $32,140 in support of STEAM Education in the Lawrence Township Public Schools," Giglio said.

District officials said the ZSpace systems combine elements of augmented and virtual reality to let students manipulate three‑dimensional models in collaborative settings. The foundation said the district plans to integrate the stations into technology- and STEAM-focused classes to support active, project-based learning.

"Thanks to a grant from our amazing community partner, Bristol Myers Squibb," Giglio said, the LTEF worked with district supervisors to identify needs and secure the funding. The foundation described the grant as titled "Expanding Access to Authentic STEAM Experiences with Z Space Immersive Learning Stations." The package includes configuration, program licenses, an onboard training session and an on-site professional learning day.

Superintendent Robin Klim thanked the foundation at the meeting: "Thank you, and we are so thrilled to be awarded this significant grant to advance STEAM in our district." District staff said the equipment is intended for use across grade levels and to promote collaboration in science, math, engineering and technology curricula.

The board did not take a separate vote on the donation; the presentation was recorded as part of the public meeting agenda.

Details noted at the meeting

- Grant amount: $32,140. - Fund source named in the presentation: Bristol Myers Squibb (corporate grant to LTEF). - Equipment: five ZSpace immersive learning stations, configuration and one-year warranty, associated software licenses, one on-site professional learning day and an onboarding training session.

Speakers

- Bonnie Giglio, Executive Director, Lawrence Township Education Foundation (nonprofit). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1033.64. - Robin Klim, Superintendent (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1301.705.

Proper_names:[{"name":"Lawrence Township Education Foundation","type":"organization"},{"name":"Bristol Myers Squibb","type":"business"},{"name":"ZSpace","type":"other"},{"name":"Lawrence Township Public Schools","type":"agency"}],

clarifying_details:[{"category":"grant","detail":"Grant amount","value":"32140","units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Bonnie Giglio"},{"category":"equipment_count","detail":"Number of ZSpace stations to be purchased","value":5,"units":"units","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Bonnie Giglio"},{"category":"warranty","detail":"Included warranty length","value":"1","units":"year","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Bonnie Giglio"},{"category":"program_name","detail":"Grant project name","value":"Expanding Access to Authentic STEAM Experiences with Z Space Immersive Learning Stations","units":"","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Bonnie Giglio"}],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"1033.64","local_start":0,"local_end":312,"evidence_excerpt":"My name is Bonnie Giglio. I'm the executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation. The LTF is honored and excited to present the Board of Education with a check for $32,140 in support of STEAM Education in the Lawrence Township Public Schools.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"1108.695","local_start":0,"local_end":265,"evidence_excerpt":"This grant will fund 5 Z Space Learning Stations with a 1 year warranty and configuration, as well as associated licenses for various educational programs, an onboard training session, and an on-site professional learning day.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

topic_primary:"education_technology",

topics":[{"name":"education_technology","justification":"Direct grant funding for immersive STEAM hardware and software for district classrooms.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.0,"depth_score":0.75,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.10,"civic_salience":0.40,"impactfulness":0.35,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]},{"id":"assessments-ap-results","headline":"District reports mixed NJGPA results, growth on WIDA ACCESS and strong AP participation","shortSummary":"District presenters reported that 86 percent of students met the NJGPA cut score in English while 57 percent met the math cut score; 217 students took the WIDA ACCESS test with 7 percent scoring 4.5 or higher, and the district said AP exam scores and AP course enrollment rose in key subjects.","body":"District administrators presented New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) and WIDA ACCESS results along with Advanced Placement exam outcomes at the board meeting, saying English scores were strong, mathematics proficiency lagged, and AP participation and performance rose in several courses.

An Office of Instruction presenter summarized the NJGPA findings: "The NJ GPA is the graduation proficiency assessment required by the NJDOE for all of our students to sit for," and reported, "this year, our results for English were 86 percent of our students testing at the cut score" and "in math, we had 57 percent of students at the cut score for graduation ready." The presenter described the math assessment as covering algebra and geometry concepts some students have not seen recently.

Presenters also reviewed pathways for graduation when students do not meet cut scores, including diagnostic assessments, remediation, and NJDOE portfolio appeals. The board discussed domain breakdowns presented by staff, who said the district is above the state in major and supporting math content and showing improvement in reasoning.

On English outcomes, an instructional presenter reported the district average as "7 72, beating the state average of 7 68" and said the district is above the state across tested domains. (Numbers in the presentation were given as "7 72" and "7 68" in the transcript.) District staff identified vocabulary as a focus area for grades 7–12 and said writing, expression and conventions showed improvement.

Staff also presented WIDA ACCESS English‑learner results: 217 students in kindergarten through 12th grade took the ACCESS exam this year and "7% of those students scored a 4.5 or above," the presenter said. The presentation noted growth for many multilingual learners over multiple years and that the district currently provides ESL services to 217 students while 1,148 students live in a non‑English‑speaking home; staff said not all students from non‑English‑speaking homes receive ESL services.

Advanced Placement results drew praise from the Office of Instruction. One presenter said several AP courses showed "consistently high" percentages of students earning scores of 3 or higher and that the district outpaced state and global averages in many subjects. The presenter highlighted that about 50 students in both English Language & Composition and U.S. History took exams and performed well, and that Spanish Language and Culture exam participation and performance rose significantly; the district plans two sections next year for the Spanish AP course that doubled in enrollment.

District staff noted financial assistance for AP exam fees is available to qualifying students through the guidance office (qualifying is handled through free and reduced‑price lunch eligibility). Presenters also described growth in enrollment for several AP courses, dual enrollment credit opportunities via local college partnerships, and efforts to expand access to entry-level STEM AP courses such as statistics and computer science principles.

Speakers

- Sarah Foster, District 7–12 STEAM Supervisor (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~3665.785. - Office of Instruction presenter (name not specified in transcript), Office of Instruction (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1413.425. - Dr. Pankos (identified in discussion; role not specified in transcript), Office of Instruction (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1707.75.

clarifying_details:[{"category":"NJGPA","detail":"English percent meeting cut score","value":86,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"NJGPA","detail":"Math percent meeting cut score","value":57,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"WIDA_ACCESS","detail":"Students tested (K–12)","value":217,"units":"students","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"WIDA_ACCESS","detail":"Percent scoring 4.5 or above","value":7,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"ESL_enrollment","detail":"Students receiving ESL services","value":217,"units":"students","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"non_english_home","detail":"Students living in non‑English speaking home","value":1148,"units":"students","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"},{"category":"AP_enrollment","detail":"Approx. students in English Lang & US History AP exams","value":50,"units":"students per course","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Office of Instruction presenter"}],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"1413.425","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"So today, we're starting with the the NJ GPA results. And the NJ GPA is the graduation proficiency assessment required by the NJDOE for all of our students to sit for.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"1707.75","local_start":0,"local_end":360,"evidence_excerpt":"And as, doctor Pankos just said, you know, our eleventh graders scored very strongly in GPA, and that was even true for our multilingual learners.","reason_code":"topicfinish"},{"block_id":"1979.775","local_start":0,"local_end":360,"evidence_excerpt":"This particular slide is a tracking of the different cohorts of students, and how they've performed, the percentage of students who have earned 3% or higher. So our English language and composition, English literature and composition, and our US history courses are all graduation requirement equivalents.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"2309.445","local_start":0,"local_end":360,"evidence_excerpt":"When we compare these scores to the state and global averages, again, we're doing very well in most of our courses.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

topic_primary:"student_assessments",

topics":[{"name":"student_assessments","justification":"District presentation of state graduation assessment (NJGPA), WIDA ACCESS EL results, and AP exam outcomes affecting graduation pathways and curriculum planning.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.00,"depth_score":0.85,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.25,"civic_salience":0.75,"impactfulness":0.60,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]},{"id":"referendum-construction-update","headline":"District: bond sale yields lower rate; auditorium bid and construction manager RFP moving forward","shortSummary":"The district reported a bond sale at 4.16% interest, work on geotechnical surveys is complete, the auditorium is out to bid with bids opening Aug. 27, and construction manager proposals will be read publicly on the 15th, the board secretary said.","body":"The district reported progress on referendum-funded construction and site work during the board meeting, saying the bond sale produced a lower-than-expected interest rate and that Phase 1 bidding and contracting steps are underway.

"Our actual interest rate was 4.16, so we did better than we projected," the board secretary said, noting the bonds were amortized over 30 years and the district had budgeted for 4.25 percent. The secretary said the auditorium, identified as the first Phase 1 bid package, is out to bid and that a pre‑bid meeting occurred last week with general contractor interest.

The district said bids for the auditorium will open on Aug. 27 and that the construction manager contract request for proposals will be opened and read publicly on the 15th (this Friday on the meeting schedule); the administration indicated it expects to award the construction manager in September. Geotechnical surveying for site work, including stormwater/retention considerations and traffic pattern review, is reported complete and design of the main building renovations is underway.

Officials said they will post design and meeting notes for public review and continue stakeholder briefings with architects, engineers and district staff. The presentation included updates on roofs, ceilings and other referendum projects at multiple buildings, and described planned accessibility work at Slackwood (a static exterior ramp solution) and other renovations at Eldridge Park and Slackwood.

Speakers

- Tom, Board Secretary (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~2354.47. - Robin Klim, Superintendent (government). First referenced at transcript timestamp ~1301.705.

clarifying_details:[{"category":"bond_sale","detail":"Actual interest rate","value":4.16,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"bond_sale","detail":"Budgeted interest rate","value":4.25,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"amortization","detail":"Bond amortization term","value":30,"units":"years","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"auditorium_bid","detail":"Bid opening date","value":"2025-08-27","units":"date","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"construction_manager","detail":"Proposals to be opened/read publicly","value":"15","units":"day of month","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"construction_manager","detail":"Anticipated award timing","value":"September (anticipated)","units":"month","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Tom"},{"category":"site_survey","detail":"Geotechnical surveying status","detail":"completed","value":true,"units":"","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Tom"}],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"2354.47","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"So there's a number things on the agenda tonight, but I thought I'd give you a brief update on the financial aspects of the referendum. The bond sale was completed. We had budgeted for 4.25%, ... Our actual interest rate was 4.16, so we did better than we projected.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"2415.4849","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"The auditorium is the first thing that we said we were going to bid in phase 1, and so that is out to bid. We had our, pre bid meeting last week. ... We'll open bids on that on 08/27, so this month. And we expect that if all goes well, we'll be awarding in September.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

topic_primary:"capital_projects",

topics":[{"name":"capital_projects","justification":"Update on referendum bond sale, bid schedule for auditorium, construction manager RFP and site geotechnical work affecting district facilities.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.00,"depth_score":0.80,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.10,"civic_salience":0.70,"impactfulness":0.65,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]},{"id":"votes-at-a-glance-august-meeting","headline":"Board approves minutes, personnel slate, finance items and new business; minutes adoption includes one abstention","shortSummary":"At the meeting the board approved minutes, personnel appointments (P1–P48), finance and business items (SBM1–19), and new business (NB1–13). The minutes motion included one recorded abstention by Dr. King; other recorded roll-call votes were unanimous in favor.","body":"The Board of Education approved the meeting minutes, a slate of personnel appointments, finance items and additional new business during roll-call votes at the meeting.

A motion to adopt the executive‑session and regular‑session minutes from July 9, 2025, and the regular‑session minutes from July 14, 2025, carried. The board recorded one abstention: Doctor King said she needed to abstain because she was not at the last meeting; the motion carried with seven yes votes and one abstention.

Subsequent grouped approvals were recorded by roll call and carried with all voting members voting yes. The board approved personnel items P1–P48 (appointments, transfers, salary adjustments and other personnel actions); routine business/finance items SBM1–19 (bills list, transfers, summer fire drills, grant submissions, change order, tuition rates, disposition of surplus equipment and related policies); and new business NB1–13 (appointments, salaries, state aid items listed on the agenda).

Roll call names recorded in the transcript

- Mister Clark — yes - Miss Evans — yes - Joanne Groger — yes - Mackenzie Kelly — yes - Doctor Michelle King — abstain on minutes, otherwise recorded yes on subsequent items - Olga Martinez — yes - Miss Pascoli — yes - Mister Van Hise — yes

Actions (as recorded)

1) Adopt minutes (executive & regular session minutes from 07/09/2025; regular session minutes from 07/14/2025) - motion: adopt minutes (mover/second not specified in transcript) - vote_record: Clark=yes, Evans=yes, Groger=yes, Kelly=yes, King=abstain, Martinez=yes, Pascoli=yes, Van Hise=yes - tally: yes=7, abstain=1 - outcome: approved

2) Approve personnel items P1–P48 (appointments, salary adjustments, substitutes, mentors, leave replacements, confirmations) - motion: move P1 through P48 (mover/second not specified) - vote_record: Clark=yes, Evans=yes, Groger=yes, Kelly=yes, King=yes, Martinez=yes, Pascoli=yes, Van Hise=yes - tally: yes=8 - outcome: approved

3) Approve SBM items 1–19 (finance and business motions listed on agenda) - motion: move SBM1 through 19 (mover: Van Hise; second: Groger as recorded for the motion) - vote_record: Clark=yes, Evans=yes, Groger=yes, Kelly=yes, King=yes, Martinez=yes, Pascoli=yes, Van Hise=yes - tally: yes=8 - outcome: approved

4) Approve new business NB1–13 (appointments, state aid and related new business items) - motion: move NB1 through 13 (mover/second not specified) - vote_record: Clark=yes, Evans=yes, Groger=yes, Kelly=yes, King=yes, Martinez=yes, Pascoli=yes, Van Hise=yes - tally: yes=8 - outcome: approved

5) Motion to adjourn — carried.

Speakers (board members and roles listed as in the meeting record)

- Mister Clark (Board member) — first referenced in roll calls at ~1271.365 - Miss Evans (Board member) — referenced in roll calls - Joanne Groger (Board member) - Mackenzie Kelly (Board member) - Doctor Michelle King (Board member) - Olga Martinez (Board member) - Miss Pascoli (Board member) - Mister Van Hise (Board member)

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"1267.2849","local_start":0,"local_end":160,"evidence_excerpt":"Where do you want it? Can I have a motion to adopt the executive session and regular session minutes from the 07/09/2025 meeting and regular session minutes from the 07/14/2025 meeting? ... With the motion and a second, Tom. Mister Clark? Yes. Miss Evans?... Motion carried.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"1286.59","local_start":0,"local_end":140,"evidence_excerpt":"1 correction. I need to abstain. I was not at the last meeting. K. We're changing your vote to abstain. Yes. That's doctor King for the recording. Motion still carried.","reason_code":"topicfinish"},{"block_id":"3590.26","local_start":0,"local_end":240,"evidence_excerpt":"With all of that, I'd now like to move p 1 through p 48, please. Second? All in favor? Roll call... Mister Clark? Yes. Miss Evans? Yes. Miss Grover? Yes. Miss Kelly? Yes. Doctor King? Yes. Miss Martinez? Yes. Miss Pascoli? Yes. Mister Van Hise? Yes. Motion carried.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"3944.965","local_start":0,"local_end":240,"evidence_excerpt":"So I'll move items SBM 1 through 19. Second. Motion by mister Van Hai, seconded by miss Groger. Mister Clark? Yes. Miss Evans? Yes. ... Mister Van Heise? Yes. Motion carried.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

topic_primary:"board_votes",

topics":[{"name":"board_votes","justification":"Roll‑call approvals of minutes, personnel, finance and new business items recorded in the meeting with one recorded abstention on the minutes item.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.00,"depth_score":0.65,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.15,"civic_salience":0.60,"impactfulness":0.50,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]}],