Montclair Earmarks School Contracts For Minority, Women-Run Businesses

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Public School District has already carved out a spot for unionized workers when it comes to a $188 million series of construction upgrades throughout the town. Now, there’s also an official place for minority and women-owned small businesses, administrators say.

The Montclair Board of Education passed a set-aside resolution at their Jan. 22 meeting, which will earmark 20 percent of the contracts authorized under a landmark bond referendum in 2022 for “minority, women and small business enterprises.”

According to a statement from the board of education:

“Designations for the set-asides will be made prior to any advertisements for request for proposals and/or bids. Then these contracts will be awarded to minority, women or small businesses.”

“This resolution is a tangible example of how the district is focused on equity and our commitment to giving back to the community, as we hope to attract local businesses,” Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said.

In September 2023, the board approved a project labor agreement that will require all projects totaling more than $5 million to use unionized workers.

• See Related: Montclair Schools Pledge To Use Union Workers For Big Bond Projects
• See Related: Montclair School Bond Update: Taxpayers Will Save More Than Expected

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