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Lawrence Township board advances referendum planning, approves facilities repairs; budget hearing set for May 7
Summary
Board members reviewed construction and facilities work tied to the district referendum, discussed contracting and bond planning, and scheduled a public budget hearing for May 7. District staff described projects at Lawrence Intermediate School, HVAC rooftop-unit replacements and sink upgrades paid with a state grant.
The Lawrence Township Board of Education on a routine April meeting advanced planning and contracting steps tied to the district's referendum and approved multiple facilities repairs and upgrades, board officials said.
Board Secretary Tom, speaking during the business/finance report, said the district is "undergoing a construction project" and is seeking board approval on the school facilities project (SPM) section of the agenda to add an accessible lavatory at Lawrence Intermediate School (LIS) intended to accommodate persons with special needs. Tom said the district will walk the site with architect representatives and expects additional site selection work to follow.
Tom also told the board that the district plans rooftop unit (RTU) replacements at LIS and other buildings, sink replacements in lower-level rooms at LIS funded by a New Jersey state grant, and other summer work. He said one contract awarded for RTU work approaches "upwards of almost $800,000." The board discussed phasing and construction impacts on school operations, and staff said they are preparing communication and staging plans so classes and programs are disrupted as little as possible.
The board set a formal public budget hearing for May 7 during a future meeting; the budget hearing will be opened and closed by motion at the meeting so the district can present the proposed budget and take public comment. Tom explained the district is lining up consultants and professional services — construction manager, environmental engineers, lab testing firms, money managers and bond counsel — and has submitted the architect contract to the state comptroller's office.
Board members also discussed the district's solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program and a recently lowered SREC price floor (from $200 to $150) for recent offers. Tom and other speakers said proposed state-level legislative changes may be curbing the SREC market, potentially reducing that revenue stream over time even as the district retains benefits from solar infrastructure and reduced utility draw.
Staff noted the district's PEA plan for 2025–26 has been approved and said clinic/PEA providers and off-campus partners are being processed for approval. The board heard a brief update on a student worker initiative pairing a special-needs student with grounds staff to provide life-skills experience while assisting facilities teams.
No new final resolutions that change referendum scope or funding were adopted in this discussion; the board focused on procedural steps, contracting logistics and communication and phasing planning ahead of construction.
Next steps: staff will continue procurement for professional services and prepare phasing/communication plans for construction; the board will hold the budget hearing on May 7 and continue to consider referendum-related contracts at future meetings.
