As Lawrence Township Schools continue to grow and build new facilities, the township school board wanted to make it a point to include local diverse suppliers in the expansion.  

Dr. Shawn Smith, the superintendent of Lawrence Township Schools, says the district has found including local diverse building contractors is good business and helps serve the community.

After a 2019 tax referendum was approved by voters, Smith says the Lawrence Township school board made a decision to include minority vendors and suppliers. “We’ve been very fortunate to have some unbelievable partners.” 

Dr. Smith says the local vendors have done a great job, and the district is working hard to have representation in their projects that reflect the diversity in their community. He says the initiative serves as a great model to the district’s 17,000 students.  

As the Lawrence community continues to grow, Dr. Smith says diversity will continue to be a focus for the school district. “Education has to be at the forefront.”