Lawrence school board approves tentative budget Lawrence school board approves tentative budget The Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education has approved its tentative $79.6 million operating budget for 2021-22, sending it on to the Mercer County Department of Education for review. A public hearing and final action on the proposed budget, which was approved at the school board’s March 10 meeting, has been set for the board’s May 5 meeting. The district’s total operating budget for 2020-21 was $75.7 million. The 2021-22 budget carries a 2-cent increase in the school district tax rate – from $1.57 per $100 of assessed value to $1.59. The school district tax applies to residential and non-residential properties.