School Referendum-SUCCEEDED on March 12, 2024

Welcome to our School Referendum Page! 
The Palmyra Board of Education is thrilled to unveil our proposed changes to our facilities for our most deserving staff and students.  These proposed changes were discussed at our August 30th 2023 Board of Education meeting by our Architect of Record, Mr. Bob Garrison.  We are SO PLEASED with the YES votes received in our Special Election on March 12, 2024!


The link below is the presentation made by Mr. Garrison at the August 30th Board of Education Meeting.  The Power Point provides a list of all of the proposed projects with illustrations of the proposed floor plans. March 12, 2024 Bond Referendum Powerpoint

The Referendum Vote will be March 12 of 2024.  Please mark your calendars!  We are so #Palmyra Proud!  Thank you!

Sincerely,
The Palmyra Board of Education

What's the latest in Construction?

Click here for updates on District Construction- both Referendum Projects & District Improvements.

Construction update graphic with hammer & clips and photos of all 3 buildings on campus

Palmyra Proud logo

MAIL-IN BALLOTS Qualified & registered NJ voters who want to vote by mail in the Palmyra School District Special Election to be held on March 12th, 2024 must complete an application form shown below and send it to the county clerk where you reside.

NJ vote by mail application

Great News about our Bond Financing!

PHOTO of memo from phoenix financial regarding bids on bond service to the district

With assistance from Phoenix Advisors, the Financial Advisor of the Palmyra Board of Education, the Palmyra Board of Education held their Bond Sale on June 25th, 2024. 

Prior to the Bond Sale, the Board received a very favorable bond rating of "AA-" (AAA being the highest rating)  The winning bid went to Roosevelt & Cross Inc. at 3.784%, which is less than the original interest rate projection.  This will save the taxpayers of the Palmyra Borough money in the future!

In the NEWS

fRONT OF Css with REFERENDUM BANNER

Palmyra school project would upgrade facilities, increase property tax

Jim Walsh
Cherry Hill Courier-Post

PALMYRA - The school district is seeking voter approval for an $18.4 million improvement program.

The project would spend $10.5 million to upgrade the district high school and middle school on West 5th Street.

It would budget $7.9 million for improvements to the Charles Street Elementary School, according to the district's website. (full article)

arrow pointing to the left in red

You can utilize our tax calculator on the left side of this page to see the exact impact the proposed referendum would have on your taxes. 
Assessment Value If needed, you can use this link to find the assessed value of your home.
Senior Freeze To all of our senior residents, please click the Senior Freeze, you may be eligible for a reimbursement.

Referendum Video Campaign

Interim Superintendent: Mark Pease with overview of District.

PHS Principal: Lisa Sabo discussing the Arts & building Improvements.

PHS VP & Athletic Director: Mike Papenberg discussing the Improvements to the Pit vs. building another gym.

CSS Principal: Octavia Lee discussing the Security needs of the building.

CSS Principal: Octavia Lee reinforces the life expectancy of rooftops!

Palmyra Proud logo- red collegiate letter with ribbon

PHS VP & Athletic Director & Alumni: Mike Papenberg discussing the plans for a new regulation all-weather track with our historic stadium.

CSS Principal: Octavia Lee sharing the plans for a new playground for the elementary school that will include a poured, ADA compliant surface.

bOND REFERENDUM PLANS showing the phs school plans

proposed rendering of new entry canopy at palmyra high school

proposed new track at phs architectural drawing

possible styles of new auditorium, pit and cafeteria for referendum photos of other buildings

Palmyra High | Palmyra Middle School Building

Some of the highlights of the proposed improvements at the Palmyra High School | Middle School include:

  • moving our current Main Office and Guidance Offices to a central location down by our current school library

  • renovating our auxiliary gym (the Pit) to make it more functional for our gym classes

  • bumping out our school cafeteria to provide our students with more room

  • adding four new classrooms (within our previous Main and Guidance Offices),

  • adding a non-cinder new running track! 

VIEW OF PHS AT DOOR 1 2022

Charles Street School Building

At the Charles Street School, some of our proposed changes include:

  • a new roof on the 1949 wing

  • a new roof on the 1962 wing

  • and a new roof on the 1992 wing

  • a new main entrance/ security vestibule and subsequent office relocation,

  • a new playground with a poured padded, protective surface,

  • new fire alarm system

  • a new HVAC System for the 1992 Classroom wing.

VIEW OF CHARLES STREET SCHOOL Door 1 2023

students peeking in through doors of closed school building

empty classroom at CSS before furniture 2022

garrison architects drawings for changes at Charles Street School with renderings

proposed facility improvements for css by referendum for lobby, nurse and bathrooms

DAS view from door 1 2023 trees, lawn mid-century building and ugly sign

Delaware Avenue School Building

You may have noticed that we do not have any proposed changes to the Delaware Avenue School (Preschool Learning Center). 

The district has used funds from various funding sources at no impact to the taxpayer since last spring to make the building more suitable for five (5) new preschool classes.  We are excited that our students and staff have started the year in five new renovated classrooms!

In addition, the District applied for two Regular Operating District (ROD) Grants in the spring of 2023 (Preschool ROD Grant and an NJDOE Round-5 ROD Grant).  The Preschool ROD Grant would provide the Board of Education with 40% of the total cost of additional improvements to the Delaware Ave School (3 more renovated Preschool Classrooms).  We are still waiting to hear the final decision on our application. Unfortunately, we were not awarded the NJDOE Round-5 ROD Grant by the Department of Education, this would have provided the Board of Education with 40% of the total cost of a partial roof replacement and masonry restoration at the Palmyra High School / Middle School.

The Referendum Vote will be March 12, 2024.  Please mark your calendars!  We are so #Palmyra Proud!