After many years of investigating alternative uses for the Gertrude Lauer School, the Board of Education has approved the sale of the building via a bid process. Built in 1910, the school was originally known as the Agriculture School. Though it served many generations of students well, a combination of declining enrollments and additional space at the remodeled Elwood School have made it impractical to keep the school open. In 2008, the NJ Department of Education approved the school’s decommissioning. The two-room facility on Darmstadt Avenue was last occupied in 2002-2003 school year.

Several community groups expressed interest in acquiring the site over the years but concluded the costs of operation would be more than their organizations could support. The school district currently spends about $6,000 a year for alarm systems, insurance and maintaining the building. Anyone interested in bidding on the school should contact Mrs. LaGuardia, Mullica’s School Business Administrator, for information.