$4.5 Million Senior High School Proposed to Address Norwood Enrollment Growth-October 26, 1965

Ambitious Plan Calls for New 2,000-Student Senior High School and Facility Conversions

Addressing mounting public school enrollment pressures, Norwood School Committee member William Egan proposed a comprehensive $4.5 million capital construction plan during last night’s committee meeting. The sweeping proposal calls for the construction of a brand-new, 2,000-student senior high school—a project estimated by Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley to cost approximately $4.5 million.

Under Egan’s plan, the facility realignment would cascade across the district: the existing senior high school would be converted into a second junior high school, while the current junior high school would be adapted to serve as an elementary school. Superintendent Coakley previously recommended building an additional junior high and expanding the existing senior high in a three-project framework, but welcomed Egan’s new senior high school concept. However, Coakley expressed initial reservations regarding converting the current junior high into an elementary school, noting potential concerns over losing the close interpersonal relationships fostered in smaller elementary environments.

Egan, serving as the committee’s representative to the town’s school needs study committee, indicated that the study group is prepared to petition for a special town meeting by December 15 if the Board of Selectmen fails to call one prior to that date. With deliberations nearing a critical juncture, the committee placed Egan’s proposal on the agenda for further detailed discussion.

Chamber of Commerce and Catholic Women’s Club Announcements

In other community news covered in the local roundup:

• Norwood Chamber of Commerce: The chamber announced its upcoming second meeting of the 1965–1966 season, scheduled for Tuesday, November 1, at the Oldham Elementary School on Prospect Street, beginning with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and an open meeting at 7:45 p.m. The program features a historical presentation on the origin and growth of the Plimpton Press by a company official, followed by a retail merchandising symposium led by panelists Louis Orent, John M. Macchi, Robert Adelson, and Anthony J. Colamaria. Reservations are also underway for the annual Gentlemen’s Night, chaired by Mrs. Kenneth Frazer, alongside preparations for the upcoming Christmas novelty sale.
• Catholic Women’s Club: The organization announced its annual Guest Night for Wednesday, November 3, at 8:00 p.m. at the Bell House in Sharon. Program Chairman Mrs. Francis X. Ahearn arranged an evening featuring musical entertainment by “The Singing Priests”—a trio comprising the Rt. Rev. Joseph Maguire, Rev. Cyril Toland, and Rev. Paul Radigan. Club President Mrs. Edward J. Martin and cochairmen Mrs. Anthony J. Colamaria, Mrs. Joseph F. Cleary, and Mrs. John Sullivan will host visiting representatives from surrounding town clubs.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger