Lawrence Middle School auditorium work to start in December; asbestos abatement planned over winter break

The Lawrence Township Board of Education on Thursday confirmed that interior renovation of the Lawrence Middle School auditorium will begin around December after the school’s scheduled performances conclude, and that asbestos abatement work will be staged over the winter break.

Tom, the board secretary, told the board the project is the first phase of work following a successful referendum and will start with the removal of seats and lights, installation of scaffolding and demolition of ceilings before interior reconstruction begins. “We expect to see construction on or about December, after the events happen in the auditorium at the middle school,” Tom said, adding the work will be interior-only and that parents and staff will be notified in advance.

The board said asbestos abatement is planned for the winter break so that no abatement-related activities occur while students or staff are present. The construction manager Grayhawk and the district will coordinate signage and fencing around the site; the district plans to post a public Gantt chart online so community members can follow milestones and timelines.

Finance committee members discussed a change order on the agenda that would authorize the contractor to perform the asbestos remediation and related preparatory work so the team could meet the winter-break schedule. Committee members described prestaging activities and testing that will occur before students and staff return. The board emphasized communications to families and the community and said specific notices to parents and principals will be distributed "far in advance."

Board members and the administration also noted other scheduled facility work across the district — including more than $300,000 in planned improvements at Slackwood Elementary — and said they are coordinating sequencing so that necessary maintenance and construction minimize disruption to school operations.

What happens next: the board approved related procurement items in committee and will begin contractor prestaging and signage; final contractor schedules, test results and specific parent notices will be posted on the district website and through school principals.