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Lawrence Township Community Survey Results Reveal Priorities for Upcoming Bond Referendum

Lawrence Township Public Schools recently conducted a comprehensive community survey to gather input on the upcoming bond referendum. The survey received a robust response, with 684 participants sharing their perspectives on various district needs and priorities.

Key Findings

  1. Areas of Importance:

    • The survey highlighted the community’s emphasis on various educational areas, with the following ranked as extremely important: Academics, STEM, Mental Health, Special Education, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

    • Other areas such as Visual/Performing Arts, Athletics, and Preschool were also deemed important, although to a slightly lesser extent.
       

  2. LMS Improvements:

    • Renovations to instructional spaces and creating more small group instructional areas for specialized services were marked as extremely important by the highest number of respondents.

    • Life skills classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and improvements to athletic facilities and common areas were also prioritized.
       

  3. Grade Transition Support:

    • For third graders transitioning to upper elementary, 69% of respondents believed creating an elementary-centered culture is crucial, while 61% advocated the idea of a dedicated third-grade wing. Expanding orientation programs, and making changes to the playground and the physical appearance of the school also received support.

    • For sixth graders moving to middle school, 69% advocated for a dedicated sixth-grade wing, with cafeteria upgrades and additional gymnasium space also receiving strong support.

  4. LMS/LHS Campus Enhancements: 

    • Restroom facilities at the fields and traffic flow upgrades tied as priorities (62%) for the LMS/LHS campus.

    • Additional parking (45%), separate lots for students and staff (36%), and turf fields (27%) were are also reported as important enhancements for the campus.

 

Community Feedback and Next Steps

The survey revealed a clear desire to keep academics at the forefront of decision-making, restructure the intermediate school to foster a more personal environment, and enhance orientation programs for new students. Additionally, there were requests for more detailed information about project specifics and budget transparency.

Lawrence Township Public Schools is committed to incorporating this feedback into our planning process for the bond referendum, which aims to address critical infrastructure needs, enhance educational facilities, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the district. To maintain ongoing community engagement, the district will host a variety of events, including building tours, information tables at school events, and both in-person and virtual Q&A sessions. The bond referendum vote is scheduled for March 11, 2025.