Palmyra Superintendent Highlights Budget, Progress and Priorities

June 16, 2026

Citizens of the Palmyra R-1 School District,

Last week at the June board meeting, the Palmyra R-1 Board of Education met to approve the 2026-2027 budget. We were able to pass a balanced budget that includes a 3% raise for both certified and classified staff members. Our district has been blessed with solid leadership from our school board and administration over the years. We have been fortunate to have overwhelming support from the community, and all these factors put us in a great position financially. We went into the 2025-2026 school year with 49.83% in reserves, and we plan on being able to make our full transfers to capital
projects this year (just over $1,000,000) and maintain solid fund balances in those same reserves. The reserve numbers are high, but with the uncertainties in state revenue streams, and the limits on local growth from the Hancock Amendment, SB 190, and SB 3, it will be important for us to have solid reserves in the coming years. Regardless, our number one goal will be to focus on academic achievement and quality programs for our students.
Over the past year our district was able to improve its academic performance on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Annual Performance Report for the fourth consecutive year. We also received nearly 1,000 responses on the latest community survey which showed vast improvement in survey results both within the school community, and our general community.

According to survey responses, the top five priorities for our school district are:

1. Maintain a quality teaching staff.
2. Provide more hands-on learning.
3. Maintain a low student-teacher ratio.
4. Improve school safety and security.
5. Improve student discipline.

This list is a priority for us moving forward. We have been blessed to hire quality staff to work with our students, and that will continue to be a focus moving forward. Providing meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities is also a priority. The district wants to create a quality balance in which students have consistent opportunities for hands-on learning that will allow our students to develop critical skills such as decision-making and problem-solving yet be fully capable of stepping into a post-secondary world full of technological advancement.
As enrollment trends bring smaller classes into our district, maintaining low student-teacher ratios will remain an important component of student success. School safety also continues to be a major focus. Over the past three years, we have made dramatic improvement to the overall safety of the school district. We completed a districtwide safety assessment, upgraded our camera systems, installed safety glass at all entrances and office areas, and annually review our crisis management
plan to ensure it meets the needs of our staff and students. Student discipline has also improved. Districtwide, office referrals for major offenses have declined; however, we recognize there is always room to improve consistency in expectations in both the classrooms and the building offices.
Two survey results stood out to me personally and I am the most proud of. From 2023 to 2025, the percentage of community members who felt the school district reflects the values of our community rose from 64.91% to 82.33%. Additionally, the percentage of respondents who felt the district communicates effectively with the community increased from 62.87% to 78.61%. These are areas our Board of Education and staff have worked hard to improve, and we will continue striving to strengthen those relationships.
As we move into the new school year, all six bond projects approved by voters through Proposition 2 in 2024 will be completed. Initial projects included the removal of 22,000 square feet of asbestos tile and replacement of the galvanized piping at Palmyra Elementary, construction of the safety entrance at Palmyra Middle School, and renovations to the Palmyra High School kitchen, classrooms, public restrooms, locker rooms, and gym. All those projects were completed last fall.
This summer, we will complete the final three projects: districtwide LED lighting upgrades, new tennis courts at the high school, and a new playground at Palmyra Elementary. The LED lighting
project is well underway with most high school fixtures already installed. The new lighting will allow teachers to make their rooms as dim or bright as they wish and is an energy savings project that should pay for itself in 5 to 7 years. Heimer Construction has poured the tennis courts, and they will now be curing 28 days prior to surfacing on July 13. The fencing is nearly completed, and the facility will be a huge upgrade for our highly successful girl’s tennis program. Construction of the new elementary playground is expected to begin within the next two weeks following summer school.
The Board of Education has done an outstanding job executing the bond project plan over the past two years, allowing all six projects to become a reality for our students and community. Additional summer projects include tuckpointing and sealing windows at Palmyra Middle School as well as the removal of the old press box and bleachers. Due to rapid deterioration of the bleachers, the district evaluated both restoration and removal options. Ultimately, removal was determined to be the safest
and most financially responsible decision. Palmyra Elementary will see the remainder of its flooring upgrades, along with new ceiling grid and tile in the 19 original classrooms within the building.
Over the next several weeks, our principals will meet with their building leadership teams to update handbooks and establish academic and building goals. Mr. Harper, and the administrative team, will meet with local agencies to review and improve the district’s crisis management plan.
Summer school concludes this week with more than 300 students attending districtwide. Summer athletics has seen an average of 160 students in the strength and conditioning program each morning.
Additionally, the fine arts program will begin an exciting new chapter with separate band and vocal instructors which will increase classroom offerings at the middle and high school.
For the first time, the school district has approved offering childcare for our staff with the hope that we can continue to attract and retain quality teachers while opening up slots within the community for those that struggle to find childcare for their own families.
My hope is that our community is proud of our school district. While we are not perfect, we remain committed to doing what is best for our students, staff, and community. If you ever have questions or
need assistance, please reach out to your building leadership team or contact me at the central office. We are always happy to help.
It’s always a great day to be a Palmyra Panther!
Jason Harper
Superintendent