Learn About Our Upcoming Referendum at Two Community Events
The Lawrence Township Board of Education is set to host two events where community members can learn more about a referendum that would fund long-lasting building improvements at the district's Middle School and High School joint campus.
The first of the two events will be an in-person Town-Hall style community referendum information forum that will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Lawrence Middle School (2455 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville). Parking is available in the Lawrence High School Parking lot (2525 Princeton Pike), adjacent to the Lawrence Middle School.
The forum will run from 6-8 p.m., and residents are welcome to attend and ask questions about the referendum. There will also be a community fair taking place in the hallway outside of the auditorium and refreshments will be served.
The second of the two events will be a virtual community referendum information forum held on Thursday, Feb. 26 on Google Meet. Please visit www.ltps.org/referendum for the link to join that meeting.
Just as with the in-person meeting, the virtual forum will run from 6-8 p.m. and welcomes residents to submit questions about the referendum that will be answered in real time.
A video recording of the forum will be available on the district website following the meeting’s conclusion.
During the meetings, community members will hear from district representatives who can explain firsthand the benefits of bond funding.
The proposed projects provide essential upgrades needed to support student achievement, better prepare students for high school through grade realignment, and modernize a school built 75 years ago, officials said.
On March 11, community members will be asked to cast their vote on the referendum.
“We encourage our community members to join us for one or both of these information sessions so they can hear directly from district administrators.” Superintendent Dr. Robyn Klim said. “We want to be sure everyone is prepared to make an informed vote on March 11.”
The proposed projects would receive up to 40% of the eligible costs in state aid. This type of funding is only available through a voter-approved bond referendum, officials said, which would offset the local taxpayers’ share of the total costs.
If voters approve the referendum, officials said the owner of the average assessed home in Lawrence would see an estimated tax impact of about $27 per month.
The increase to school debt tax would not appear on tax bills until July 2026.
Without voter approval, officials said these critical repairs would still need to be made, but without the help of state aid.
“Academic excellence is the district’s top priority,” Klim said. “The bond referendum would allow us to expand and update our learning facilities with the assistance of state aid, rather than relying entirely on local taxes.”