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School district looks to make cuts after referendum defeat By Bill Sanservino
Jack Lawrence helped lead Ravens hockey to a conference title and a 21-6 record.
Jack Lawrence caps comeback with standout senior season By Rich Fisher
The Robbinsville-Allentown ice hockey team went 21-6 this season, winning the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament title, going an unprecedented 17-0 in games at Mercer County Park, reaching the NJSIAA South Public Co-Op Tournament championship game and being ranked in the state’s Top 20. “The kids went on a wonderful run, and Jack Lawrence was
right in the middle of it all with huge goals,” coach Dan Bergan said. “In our CVC Tournament run, Jake LaChance got the MVP and it was well deserved. But right behind him was Jack Lawrence doing what we needed to make this team what it was. He was an alternate captain and was a big part of leading those kids to what they did this year.” The senior center was second on the team in goals with 20, tied for second in assists with 33 and
third in points with 53, trailing senior linemates Lachance and James Morino. “Jack was the centerman who fed those guys,” Bergan said. “He’s the glue who makes this team works.” Lawrence’s final season capped an inspiring comeback for the Robbinsville resident, who missed nearly his entire sophomore season and spent much of his junior campaign reacclimating himself See HOCKEY, Page 10
Robbinsville school officials are moving forward with significant budget reductions after voters rejected a $5.03 million tax increase last month. District leaders say cuts to staff, programs and services are now expected as the 202627 budget is finalized, with additional impacts anticipated in the following year. Official results from the Mercer County Clerk show 2,079 voters opposed the referendum measure while 1,574 supported it, a margin of 56.91% to 43.09%. The vote represents roughly a 4-to-3 rejection of the proposal, with 3,653 ballots cast out of 12,361 registered voters. Election data shows 2,384 residents voted in person on Election Day, 1,190 ballots were cast by mail and 79 were provisional. The ballot question sought voter approval to exceed New Jersey’s 2% tax levy cap and raise $5.031 million to address ongoing budget pressures and preserve academic and extracurricular programs. School officials said the proposal was designed to help close a structural deficit driven by rising operational costs, reduced
state aid and several years in which the district did not tax to the full amount allowed under state guidelines. District officials said reductions will now be implemented as part of the 2026-27 school budget, with administrators now shifting from contingency planning to execution. Impacts are expected to include cuts to academic electives, student services, sports, clubs and extracurricular programming, along with staffing reductions and larger class sizes. School officials had warned prior to the vote that failure of the referendum would force the district to eliminate more than 20 classroom teaching positions, nine additional studentfacing educator roles and other support staff positions. Administrators also said reductions could affect electives, athletics and clubs, and would likely result in increased class sizes across multiple grade levels, particularly in core subject areas. The district has already eliminated roughly 30 staff positions over the past three years as it attempted to close earlier budSee VOTE, Page 4
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