The word “referendum” means vote, and a bond referendum asks voters to approve funding through the sale of bonds. Like a company’s stock certificates, bonds can be sold to investors. Property taxes are used to buy them back with interest. In this way, bonds can provide the school district with up-front funding to make long-lasting improvements similar to the way a homeowner might use a loan to renovate a kitchen. Property taxes are used to buy back those bonds, with interest.  

Sometimes consumers might think borrowing indicates poor planning and that it results in higher costs due to interest. The opposite is true for public school districts in New Jersey. They are eligible for a special kind of state aid that only comes with bond borrowing. Districts strategically plan to group projects into a bond referendum to take advantage of that aid – which can cover about one third of the costs. That keeps project costs off the local tax bills. 

 

What would be done:

Academic Classroom Renovations and Additions 

• Two-story new construction with an elevator and access to both floors of the existing building
• New focused learning spaces: science classrooms, art classrooms, life skills
• Focused special education spaces
• Dedicated support spaces:nurse, child study team, guidance suites
• New interior finishes and new furnishings
• Renovations at technology, life skills, and music classrooms

 

Security/Safety Upgrades

• New secure visitor’s entrance and vestibule
• Traffic drop off lane at LMS
• Student parking on campus (not on street)
• Increase parking for building and event access
• Door hardware with intruder locksets
• Security glazing at vision lites to occupied spaces
• Traffic circulation revisions
• Parking expansion 
• Drop-off/Pick-up lane at High School

 

Capital Maintenance (Renovations)

• Roof replacement
• Lavatory renovation & ADA accessibility 
• Asbestos abatement
• Kitchen renovation
• Cafeteria renovation
• Parking lot paving
• Upgrades at existing toilet rooms including finishes, fixtures, and partitions
• ADA accessibility improvements

 

 

Auditorium Renovations

• ADA accessibility upgrades
• New audio/visual system
• New lighting and controls system
• New theatrical curtains and rigging
• New interior finishes and seating

 

Gymnasium and Fields Addition

• Full size court with both basketball and volleyball provisions
• Built-in bleachers to accommodate 900 spectators
• Local audio system for large assembly use
• Multi-purpose synthetic turf field
• Maintenance building/concessions stand at High School stadium

The State of New Jersey sets aside funds to help public school districts maintain their facilities. This special state aid for debt payback is given only to districts where voters committed to paying for improvements through bond borrowing. Lawrence taxpayers already contribute to the state funds that provide this aid; it will only come back to Lawrence through a voter-approved bond referendum.  

Property taxes are based on assessed value, not market value. A homeowner might guess at his property’s market value based on recent sales of similar homes; that can change day to day. 

In contrast, property assessments are determined by Lawrence Township and sent each year to all property owners. They do not change throughout the year. You can find that on your tax bill. The mathematical average of all home assessments in Lawrence is around $284,000.

While LIS will also be undergoing an exciting physical and ideological transformation to a true Upper Elementary School, LIS is already outfitted to hold three grade levels, so there won't be any major construction projects happening here. The LIS transformation, which will consist of enhancing student and parent orientation programs, a dedicated 3rd grade wing, plus other functional and cosmetic improvements, will be executed thoughtfully, with input gathered from staff, families, and other community members.

We see this project as an opportunity to study, evaluate and improve the traffic pattern (and parking!) in and around Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High School.  We have hired traffic experts in the design of this reconfiguration and believe everyone will be pleased with the outcome. 

Our mission as a district is to educate students in the least restrictive setting, and one of the goals with the LMS expansion is to provide classroom space to provide a continuum of services to our students with special needs and offer them the same programs and supports to make meaningful progress. However, student  placement in always a conversation between IEP team and the students' families. 

Part of the developmentally appropriateness of 6th grade moving to the middle school is that they are ready for intramurals and sports, not just once a week PTO clubs.  A multi-purpose turf field will be used year-round by sports teams, marching bands, color guard, and PE classes, as well as the recreation department and other community groups. Turf fields also help to eliminate poor field conditions from wear and tear, water, and mud, making it safer for students. 

The estimated additional tax on the average assessed home of $286K would be $310 annually ($26 per month, or 85 cents a day). If you know your home's assessed value (NOT real estate value), you can plug it into our tax calculator here.

The state will only pay 40% of the cost if we take a loan for the projects.