Cape May City School District

{{expand section|date=October 2020}}

Indian Queen School, located in a former hotel and integrated racially, was established in 1860. However it was replaced in 1867 by racially segregated schools on Franklin Street, because James S. Kennedy, the superintendent of Cape May schools, insisted on racial segregation. The black school was in a one room building while the white school had a multi-room wooden structure. A facility with three stories built around the start of the 20th century housed the white elementary school and an integrated high school. The high school later moved into its own building, and in 1928 a new brick facility for black students was opened. In 1948 educational segregation ended after the 1947 New Jersey Constitution banned racial segregation in education.{{cite web|last=Dreyfuss|first=Barbara|url=https://www.capemaymag.com/feature/past-present-and-future-of-the-franklin-street-school/|title=Past, Present and Future of the Franklin Street School|magazine=Cape May Magazine|date=Spring 2018|access-date=2024-06-19}}

In 1958, Paul W. Schmitdtchen became the superintendent of the Cape May 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.{{cite web|last=Flud|first=Tom|url=https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/article_f2f5ef8b-0162-5dc1-9492-1e0a6bdaae5a.html|title=Schmidtchen Called 'Father' Of LCMR|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|date=2011-06-06|access-date=2020-10-11|quote=For the four southernmost Cape May County municipalities, [...] [which would be Cape May, Cape May Point, West Cape May, and Lower Township]}}

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 terrorist 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".{{cite web|last=Degener|first=Richard|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/coast-guard-training-center-in-cape-mays-presence-helps-city-school-thrive/article_42917448-5928-11e2-8388-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May's presence helps city school thrive|newspaper=The Press of Atlantic City|date=2013-01-08|access-date=2021-06-06}} - In print as [https://web.archive.org/web/20130903010133/http://www.capemaycityschool.org/Portals/0/pdf/PRESS%2008JAN2013.pdf "Coast Guard a lifeline for Cape May Elementary A school's best friend"]

In 2020, the district gave some land to the city government so the latter could establish a park.{{cite news|last=Fichter|first=Jack|url=https://www.starandwave.com/CM_A01_6-23-21.pdf|title=School board miffed at lack of progress on park|newspaper=Cape May Star and Wave|date=2021-06-23|volume=167|issue=25|page=1}}

In 2020, the Cape May and West Cape May School District began sharing a single superintendent. In Summer 2021, Zachary Palombo became the shared superintendent of both the Cape May City and West Cape May districts.Fichter, Jack. [https://www.starandwave.com/CM_A01_6-23-21.pdf "Cape, West Cape schools will share superintendent"], Cape May Star and Wave, June 23, 2021. Accessed September 17, 2024. "Zack Palombo has been approved as new superintendent for Cape May City Elementary School and West Cape May Elementary School by both boards of education through a shared services agreement."

The district had been 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.[https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/rda/dfg.shtml District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 1, 2024.

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.

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.{{cite news|last=Fichter|first=Jack|url=https://www.starandwave.com/CM_A03_6-23-21.pdf|title=Bike path from USCG base to city's school on hold|newspaper=Cape May Star and Wave|date=2021-06-23|page=A3}}

{{As of|2021}} the average student population was around 150.{{cite web|last=Barlow|first=Bill|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-may-sees-big-population-drop-in-census-while-home-prices-soar/article_72d5c90c-0030-11ec-8b71-4ba9505bed66.html|title=Cape May sees big population drop in census, while home prices soar |newspaper=The Press of Atlantic City|date=2021-08-21|access-date=2021-08-22}} Most students in the district come from the Coast Guard base, with 60% coming from there in 2016.[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/09/0710/000.html 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." Palumbo stated, as paraphrased by Bill Barlow of The Press of Atlantic City, "it is unlikely the school could remain open" without the Coast Guard students.

Circa 2013 the percentage of Coast Guard students hovered between 43% and 62%.{{rp|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.

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.

Cape May City Elementary School served 158 students in grades PreK-6 in the 2023–24 school year.[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3402700 School Data for the Cape May City Elementary School], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024. Its capacity is 227.{{rp|16}}

• Zachary Palombo, principal

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.

File:Cape May Municipal Building.jpg

The first Cape May High School, built in 1901, was designed by Seymour Davis and built for $35,000.{{cite book|last1=Pocher|first1=Don|last2=Pocher|first2=Pat|title=Cape May in Vintage Postcards|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=1998|isbn=9780738537757|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IRYZwMUwUCYC&pg=PA83 83]}} This facility was shared with the white elementary school. In 1917 a new Cape May High School facility was built,{{cite web|last=Barlow|first=Bill|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-may-group-moves-to-get-public-safety-building-on-the-ballot/article_aa22eae7-4ad5-51c9-9c06-c98e3a77abcb.html|title=Cape May group moves to get public safety building on the ballot|newspaper=The Press of Atlantic City|date=2020-05-26|access-date=2020-10-11}} with the 1901 building becoming an elementary school.{{cite book|last1=Pocher|first1=Don|last2=Pocher|first2=Pat|title=Cape May in Vintage Postcards|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=1998|isbn=9780738537757|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IRYZwMUwUCYC&pg=PA83 83]}} Cape May High School educated students of all races.{{cite book|last1=Salvatore|first1=Joseph E.|last2=Berkey|first2=Joan|title=Cape May|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|date=2015-05-11|isbn=9781439651285|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9_fBCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA80 80]}} The former convention hall was used as a basketball arena, baccalaureate venue, an auditorium, and a graduation hall by Cape May High.{{cite web|last=Elwell|first=Robert W. Sr.|url=https://www.capemay.com/blog/2010/12/growing-up-on-the-pier/|title=Growing Up on the Pier|work=Cape May Magazine|date=August 2010|access-date=2021-06-12}} Paul S. Ensminger, originally from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, served as principal of CMHS for a 24 year period.{{cite news|title=Lebanon Native, Husband Return To Live In City|newspaper=Lebanon Daily News|place=Lebanon, Pennsylvania|date=1969-07-08|page=5}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79467906/for-cape-may-high-school/ Clipping from] Newspapers.com

Cape May High closed effective December 22, 1960, and LCMRHS opened in 1961. Circa 1970 the first Cape May High School building was demolished, and an Acme Markets location was constructed on the site. The second Cape May High School building in 1961 became the city hall,{{cite book|last1=Pocher|first1=Don|last2=Pocher|first2=Pat|title=Cape May in Vintage Postcards|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=1998|isbn=9780738537757|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=IRYZwMUwUCYC&pg=PA82 82]}} and it also serves as the police station.

File:Cape May Library (fomer Franklin Street School) 02.jpg

In the past Cape May elementary schools were segregated on the basis of race, with black elementary school students attending Franklin Street School. It opened in September 1928,[http://www.centerforcommunityarts.org/franklin-street-school Franklin Street School], Center for the Community Arts. Accessed February 12, 2025. and was the first public school earmarked for black children in Cape May.{{cite book|last=Miller|first=Ben|title=The First Resort: Fun, Sun, Fire & War in Cape May, America's Original Seaside Town|date=December 15, 2018 |publisher=Exit Zero|location=West Cape May, New Jersey|isbn=978-0-9972662-2-1|page=45}} The school was built with a gymnasium inaccessible from the rest of the building which was used by the high school, integrated but made up of mostly white students. The Franklin Street students used it on rain days when their playground was not usable.{{cite web|last=Tischler|first=Susan|url=https://www.capemay.com/blog/2005/02/franklin-street-school-the-past-and-the-future/|title=Franklin Street School: The Past and the Future|website=Capemay.com|publisher=Cape Publishing|place=Cape May, New Jersey|date=2005-02-01|access-date=2024-06-19}}

Educational segregation ended in 1948, and therefore the school was decommissioned. The Center for Community Arts, as of 2021, aimed to renovate the building. In 2024, the Cape May City Library of the Cape May County Library moved from a previous location to the renovated Franklin Street School.{{cite web|last=Barlow|first=Bill|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/gallery-cape-may-library/collection_339e4b8a-29c5-11ef-9fae-13a8437d8f04.html|title=GALLERY: Cape May launches new library|newspaper=The Press of Atlantic City|place=Atlantic City, New Jersey|date=2024-06-13|access-date=2024-06-14}}

Core members of the district's administration are:[https://www.cmcboe.org/page/staff-directory Staff Directory], Cape May City Elementary Schools. Accessed December 31, 2024.[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/district/county/cape%20may New Jersey County School Directory for Cape May County], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.

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

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.[https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/dwb/DistrictByTypeList2018.pdf 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.[https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/acfr/search/24/0710.pdf#page=37 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Cape May City School District], New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2024. Accessed February 12, 2025. "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." See "Roster of Officials" on page 13.[https://www.cmcboe.org/page/board-of-education Board of Education], Cape May City School District. Accessed February 12, 2025.

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

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.

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|New Jersey|Schools}}

{{Commons category|Cape May City Elementary School}}

• [https://www.cmcboe.org/ Cape May City Elementary School]
• {{NJReportCard|09|0710|050|Cape May City Elementary School}}
• [https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3402700 School Data for the Cape May City Elementary School], National Center for Education Statistics

{{Cape May, New Jersey}}

{{Cape May County, New Jersey School Districts}}

Category:Cape May, New Jersey

Category:Cape May Point, New Jersey

Category:Public elementary schools in New Jersey

Category:New Jersey District Factor Group CD

Category:School districts in Cape May County, New Jersey

Category:Schools in Cape May County, New Jersey