UPPER TOWNSHIP – Zachary “Zach” Palombo is an educational administration professional and former classroom teacher who now serves as superintendent of the Cape May City and West Cape May school districts.
The 43-year-old and his wife, Lori, are parents to three children: Lucia, Rocco and Livia.
As a lifelong township resident, he participated in local recreational programs including football and baseball. He also was a swimmer for the Ocean City C-Cerpants.
Palombo, who was raised Roman Catholic and is raising his children in the same faith (a member of St. Maximillian Kolbe Church of the Resurrection) is a 1999 graduate of Holy Spirit High School.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The College of New Jersey in 2003, with teacher certifications in elementary and secondary history and special education.
Palombo later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from University of South Dakota in 2008 and an educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction – focus on instructional technology in 2015. He currently is a doctoral student at the University of Idaho in educational leadership.
He started his career at Vineland High School (2004-06) and Egg Harbor Township (2006-13), serving as crew coach at both schools. While coaching at EHT, the Junior 4+ and Lightweight 4+ won at the Stotesbury Regatta and SRAA Nationals in 2009. The Lightweight 4+ was invited to U.S. Rowing Junior Nationals (predominantly club teams) and competed in the finals. The Varsity 4+ and Lightweight 4+ won Stotesbury and SRAA Nationals in 2010. Both boats were invited to Junior Nationals.
As a school administrator, he was supervisor of academic achievement for Lower Cape May Regional High School (2013-17), assistant principal of LCMRHS (2017-19), principal of Cape May City Elementary School (2019-21) and now is shared superintendent for Cape May and West Cape.
Palombo also served 20 years on the North Wildwood Beach Patrol, retiring in 2017 as lieutenant.
He believes his work experience combined with his community service make him a great candidate.
“Beyond being a superintendent and being involved in the decisions that need to be made to satisfy the needs of my students, I currently sit on the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation as a member of the board of trustees, helping to serve those who serve us,” Palombo said.
He also is vice president of the Upper Township Warriors Lacrosse board and an active participant and volunteer for Upper Township Wrestling and other youth programs.
Palombo said he hopes to win election so that he can serve the community.
“I have learned from both my father and grandfather, who served as mayors of their communities, that effective leadership starts with a positive attitude, honesty and transparency,” he said.
Palombo said he wants to be a voice for the young families and a listening ear to seniors who have chosen to retire in the township.
“Upper Township is a very unique place in that it offers the playfulness of the shore, the nostalgia of small towns and communities, and is a desirable place to raise a family,” he said.
The chief school administrator said one of the skills that have paid dividends for him throughout his career is flexibility.
“We have to be creative and proactive in seeking grants to bring extra funds to our school. By working with other government entities, we have been able to bring not just programs to the districts (i.e. an expansive preschool program), but some needed structures (i.e. new playground structures at both schools),” Palombo said. “We have expanded our shared service programs to help keep administrative costs down so we can fund the most important aspect of schools instruction and programs. I want to utilize these skills and practices of grant writing to fund projects within Upper Township.”
He said the top issues the community is facing are attracting commercial ratables and repurposing the B.L. England Generating Station.
Palombo said that through working with the county government and local municipalities, the township can grow small businesses to provide property tax relief and secure grants to support the necessary infrastructure of the township.
He believes the rural character of the township is worth preserving amid the constant drive for development at the shore but also sees a need for smart growth.
“With everything in life, there has to be a balance. People move to Upper Township because they want to enjoy the community we have,” Palombo said. “Well-planned development will lead to increased ratables necessary to fund the township’s operations and relief from property taxes. Well-planned development also preserve the rural community we all enjoy. Overdevelopment will cause us to lose the community that we moved to in the first place.”
Ideas for boosting the business community include starting “a robust social media to attract much-needed commercial ratables” and working with other government entities “to incentivize commercial organizations to come to Upper Township.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
