Cape May City School District
Cape May City Elementary School
Address
921 Lafayette Street
Cape May
, Cape May County, New Jersey, 08204
United States
Coordinates38°56′19″N 74°55′06″W / 38.938706°N 74.918454°W / 38.938706; -74.918454
District information
GradesPreK to 6
SuperintendentRobert Garguilo
Business administratorJohn Thomas
Schools1
Students and staff
Enrollment169 (as of 2021–22)[1]
Faculty22.6 FTEs[1]
Student–teacher ratio7.5:1[1]
Other information
District Factor GroupCD
Websitewww.cmcboe.org
Ind.Per pupilDistrict
spending		Rank
(*)		K-6
average		 %± vs.
average
1ATotal Spending$28,76158$18,89152.2%
1Budgetary Cost21,3425713,64956.4%
2Classroom Instruction12,780568,36652.8%
6Support Services3,191542,16147.7%
8Administrative Cost1,837431,46725.2%
10Operations & Maintenance2,861571,55284.3%
13Extracurricular Activities3414339774.4%
16Median Teacher Salary54,9502057,437
Data from NJDoE 2014 Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending.[2]
*Of K-6 districts with any number of students. Lowest spending=1; Highest=59
Cape May City Elementary School

Cape May City School District is a community public school district serving students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade from Cape May, New Jersey, United States, at Cape May City Elementary School.[3][4]

As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 169 students and 22.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 7.5:1.[1]

Usually, a majority of the students are children of dependents of people at United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, which financially and personnel-wise supports Cape May City Elementary. The district also serves students from Cape May Point,[5] who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[5] This is because its school district, Cape May Point School District, is a non-operating district, meaning it does not operate any schools.[6] In 2016, one student came from Cape May Point.[7]

The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "CD", the sixth-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[8]

For seventh through twelfth grades, public school students attend the schools of the Lower Cape May Regional School District, which serves students from Cape May City, Cape May Point, Lower Township and West Cape May.[9] Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[10]) are Richard M. Teitelman Middle School[11] with 439 students in grades 7-8 and Lower Cape May Regional High School (LCMRHS)[12] with 764 students in grades 9-12.[13]

History

In 1958, Paul W. Schmitdtchen became the superintendent of the school. Schmitdtchen decided to create a new high school, and therefore he is considered the father of LCMRHS, which opened in 1961. Schmitdtchen retired in 1972.[14]

In previous eras the student body was about 300 with some students coming from residents of the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. Because property values increased in Cape May, fewer local families could afford housing, and the number of Cape May students declined. Prior to the September 11 attacks there were discussions about reducing employee levels and possibly merging Cape May Elementary and West Cape May Elementary School. After September 11 the Coast Guard presence increased and enrollment increased. The influx of families from the Coast Guard base meant that the school remained open. The Coast Guard officially adopted Cape May Elementary in 2012. Richard Degener of The Press of Atlantic City wrote "What has always been a symbiotic relationship has grown downright cozy".[15]

In 2020 the district gave some land to the city government so the latter could establish a park.[16]

In 2020 the Cape May and West Cape May School District began sharing a single superintendent.[17] In Summer 2021 Zach Palumbo became the shared superintendent of both the Cape May City and West Cape May districts.[18]

Operations

As of 2013, the taxpayers of Cape May spend under $1.5 million annually, while the Coast Guard spends about $700,000 annually to support the school.[15]

In 2021 there were plans to establish a dedicated path for bicycles between the Coast Guard base and the school so children living on-base have a safer way to travel to school. By June the plans were suspended.[19]

Student body

As of 2021 the average student population was around 150.[20] Most students in the district come from the Coast Guard base, with 60% coming from there in 2016.[7] Palumbo stated, as paraphrased by Bill Barlow of Press of Atlantic City, "it is unlikely the school could remain open" without the Coast Guard students.[20]

Circa 2013 the percentage of Coast Guard students hovered between 43% and 62%.[21]: 16  The percentage of students who come from Coast Guard families has been up to 65%. In 2013 there were 144 students, with 74 being from Coast Guard families. At one time only 25 of the students only came from non-Coast Guard families in Cape May.[15]

In 2016, 25% of students were non-public housing residents who resided elsewhere on Cape May while 15% came from Cape May public housing. Two children were homeless and one lived in Cape May Point.[7]

School and former schools

Cape May City Elementary School serves students in grades PreK-6.[22] The school served 175 students as of the 2017-18 school year.[23] Its capacity is 227.[21]: 16 

  • Zachary Palombo, superintendent[24]

Cape May City Elementary School

The school historically had a playground designed for older children. Circa 2013 it spent $40,000 to build a playground designed for younger children. Since 25 volunteers from the Coast Guard built the playground, the school administration saved on labor costs and had a larger playground built. The playground is used by community groups. The school also has a pool, a library, and the Dellas little league field, also used by the community.[15]

Cape May High School

The former Cape May High School (second building), now Cape May City Hall

The first Cape May High School, built in 1901, was designed by Seymour Davis and built for $35,000.[25] In 1917 a new Cape May High School facility was built,[26] with the 1901 building becoming an elementary school.[27] Cape May High School educated students of all races.[28] The former convention hall was used as a basketball arena, baccalaureate venue, an auditorium, and a graduation hall by Cape May High.[29] Paul S. Ensminger, originally from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, served as principal of CMHS for a 24 year period.[30]

Cape May High closed effective December 22, 1960, and LCMRHS opened in 1961.[14] Circa 1970 the first Cape May High School building was demolished, and an Acme Markets location was constructed on the site.[25] The second Cape May High School building in 1961 became the city hall,[31] and it also serves as the police station.[26]

Franklin Street School

The former Franklin Street School

In the past Cape May elementary schools were segregated on the basis of race, with black elementary school students attending Franklin Street School.[28] It opened in September 1928,[32] and was the first public school earmarked for black children in Cape May. Educational segregation ended in 1948,[33] and therefore the school was decommissioned. The Center for Community Arts, as of 2021, aims to renovate the building.[32]

Administration

Core members of the district's administration are:[24][34]

  • Zachary H. Palombo, superintendent
  • John Thomas, business administrator and board secretary

Board of education

The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.[35][36][37]

The Coast Guard has staff who assist with Cape May Elementary graduation events.[15]

Programs

The school holds reading events, a triathlon, a Thursday homework club, a boat building contest, and the end of the school year picnic, and the Starry the Bear Coast Guard journey program. The Coast Guard is involved in those programs. The Starry program features a cartoon bear who is shown going through Coast Guard training.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 District information for Cape May City School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending April 2013, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 15, 2013.
  3. ↑ Cape May City Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Cape May City School District. Accessed February 11, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through six in the Cape May City School District. Composition: The Cape May City School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Cape May City."
  4. ↑ School Performance Reports for the Cape May City School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Cape May Point School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2020. p. 2 (PDF p. 7). Accessed March 31, 2021. "The District is a sending district and operates no schools and/or facilities. Students are sent on a tuition basis to Cape May City Elementary School for grades PreK-6 and to Lower Cape May Regional School District for grades 7-12."
  6. ↑ 13 Non-Operating School Districts Eliminated, New Jersey Department of Education press release dated July 1, 2009. Accessed December 26, 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 Cape May City School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 12, 2017. "The District is a one-school district. 60% of the students come from the United States Coast Guard Training Center based in Cape May; 25% from Cape May City residents; and 15% from the Low-income Housing Authority, one student from the sending district of Cape May Point and 2 homeless students."
  8. ↑ NJ Department of Education District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ School Choice Brochure, Lower Cape May Regional School District. Accessed March 21, 2018. "Lower Cape May Regional High School is a four year comprehensive public High School that serves students from Cape May, West Cape May, Lower Township, Cape May Point and now Choice School students."
  10. ↑ School Data for the Lower Cape May Regional High School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  11. ↑ General Information, Richard M. Teitelman Middle School. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  12. ↑ General Information, Lower Cape May Regional High School. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ New Jersey School Directory for the Lower Cape May Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 26, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Flud, Tom (June 6, 2011). "Schmidtchen Called 'Father' Of LCMR". Cape May County Herald. Retrieved October 11, 2020. For the four southernmost Cape May County municipalities, [...] [which would be Cape May, Cape May Point, West Cape May, and Lower Township]
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Degener, Richard (January 8, 2013). "Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May's presence helps city school thrive". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved June 6, 2021. - In print as "Coast Guard a lifeline for Cape May Elementary A school's best friend"
  16. ↑ Fichter, Jack (June 23, 2021). "School board miffed at lack of progress on park" (PDF). Cape May Star and Wave. Vol. 167, no. 25. p. 1.
  17. ↑ Barlow, Bill (August 21, 2021). "Cape May sees big population drop in census, while home prices soar". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  18. ↑ Fichter, Jack (June 23, 2021). "Cape, West Cape schools will share superintendent" (PDF). Cape May Star and Wave. Vol. 167, no. 25. p. 1.
  19. ↑ Fichter, Jack (June 23, 2021). "Bike path from USCG base to city's school on hold" (PDF). Cape May Star and Wave. p. A3.
  20. 1 2 Barlow, Bill (August 21, 2021). "Cape May sees big population drop in census, while home prices soar". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  21. 1 2 Johnson, Virgil; and Kirtland, James L. "A Feasibility Study to Reconfigure the Lower Cape May Regional School District", Statistical Forecasting LLC, June 2013. Retrieved on May 16, 2021.
  22. ↑ New Jersey County School Directory for the Cape May City School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 29, 2016.
  23. ↑ School Data for the Cape May City Elementary School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2019.
  24. 1 2 Staff Directory, Cape May City Elementary Schools. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  25. 1 2 Pocher, Don; Pocher, Pat (1998). Cape May in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 9780738537757.
  26. 1 2 Barlow, Bill (May 26, 2020). "Cape May group moves to get public safety building on the ballot". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  27. ↑ Pocher, Don; Pocher, Pat (1998). Cape May in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 9780738537757.
  28. 1 2 Salvatore, Joseph E.; Berkey, Joan (May 11, 2015). Cape May. Arcadia Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 9781439651285.
  29. ↑ Elwell, Robert W. Sr. (August 2010). "Growing Up on the Pier". Cape May Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Lebanon Native, Husband Return To Live In City". Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. July 8, 1969. p. 5. - Clipping from Newspapers.com
  31. ↑ Pocher, Don; Pocher, Pat (1998). Cape May in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 9780738537757.
  32. 1 2 "FRANKLIN STREET SCHOOL". Center for the Community Arts. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ Miller, Ben. The First Resort: Fun, Sun, Fire & War in Cape May, America's Original Seaside Town. West Cape May, New Jersey: Exit Zero. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-9972662-2-1.
  34. ↑ New Jersey County School Directory for Cape May County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 29, 2016.
  35. ↑ New Jersey Boards of Education by District Election Types - 2018 School Election, New Jersey Department of Education, updated February 16, 2018. Accessed January 26, 2020.
  36. ↑ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Cape May City School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2021. Accessed February 11, 2023. "The Cape May City School District (District) is a Type II school district located in Cape May County, New Jersey and covers an area of approximately one square mile. As a Type II school district, it functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that three member's terms expire each year. The purpose of the District is to provide educational services for all of Cape May City's students in grades K through 6. Students in grades 7 through 8 attend Richard Teitleman Middle School. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend Lower Cape May Regional High School."
  37. ↑ Board of Education, Cape May City School District. Accessed February 11, 2023.
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