Former school committee chairman Henry W. Diggs announced last night that if he regains his seat on the committee in next year’s election, he intends to vote to renew the contract of Schools Superintendent Louis J. Taris.
Diggs, who served on the school board for roughly 18 years before being unseated in a contentious 1978 recall election organized by opponents of the committee’s spending policies, has not yet officially declared his candidacy but indicated a run is likely.
Shifting Tides on the School Committee
Diggs’ potential return could dramatically alter the political arithmetic of the seven-member school board. Currently, four votes are required to renew Taris’ contract.
On June 10, the committee voted 6 to 1 to deny Taris a new contract when his current agreement expires in June 1982. However, the political landscape has shifted significantly in the months since:
- Changed Votes and Reconsideration: Committee member Richard Joseph, who originally voted against Taris, announced weeks ago that he has reversed his stance and now supports renewing the contract. Meanwhile, members Charles C. Saraca and Margery McKenna expressed mixed feelings. Saraca noted he has been checking with school administrators and teachers and observed marked improvement in Taris’ leadership: “If I feel I made a mistake, I’ll change my mind… He’s showed me some class. He’s in there pitching and working every day.”
- Departing Opposition: Committee member William F. Egan, a vocal opponent of Taris’ contract renewal, has publicly stated he will not seek re-election next year.
- Consistent Support:Joseph Pentowski remains the sole committee member who backed Taris during the initial June vote.
Diggs’ anticipated vote would represent a crucial third voice in favor of retention. Reflecting on his past tenure and the superintendent’s performance, the 74-year-old former chairman remarked, “I haven’t seen any reason not to keep him—unless they know an awful lot more than I know. Yes, I’ll support him… I wonder if God could satisfy some of them. I don’t know what they voted on.”
Background on Superintendent Taris
Taris, 46, previously served as school superintendent in Presque Isle, Maine, and was originally hired during Diggs’ tenure in 1978—just weeks before Diggs was recalled from office—succeeding retiring Superintendent Philip O. Coakley from a pool of approximately 90 applicants.
While Saraca and McKenna initially cited concerns regarding Taris’ leadership qualities during the June vote, Saraca noted that Taris has grown into the role. Saraca also added that Diggs would likely prove to be a formidable candidate if he enters the upcoming race, noting, “He’s always been a good vote-getter.”
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
First Election Under New Town Manager Government-This Day In Norwood History-January 18, 1915
NORWOOD CASTS ITS BIGGEST VOTE All ‘’Charter Committee” Candidates Elected. Appropriations Put Over to Adjourned Town Meeting Feb 25. NORWOOD, Jan 18 — The first town election under the new Town Government act took place today. There was a contest for the Board of Selectmen, and the largest vote of any annual town meeting was…
-
Norwood Schools To Open Sept 6 With Large Increase in Pupils and Many Changes-This Day in Norwood History- August 21, 1911
Many Changes Made in Norwood Teaching Force Supt of Schools Austin H. Frittz has announced that the schools of Norwood will open for the fall term Wednesday, Sept 6. It is expected that the attendance on the opening day will be the largest in the history of the town. To accommodate the anticipated increase in…
-
Frank B. Boyden Not Compelled to Send Son to Public School-This Day In Norwood History-January 17, 1910
DECIDES FOR FATHER. Action Brought by Norwood Committee Against Frank B. Boyden. Can the Norwood School committee compel Frank E. Boyden, the 12-year-old son of Frank B. Boyden of Pleasant st, to attend school, and if it can, should it oblige Mr. and Mrs. Boyden to send the boy to the public schools, was left…
-
Letter To The Editor About School Board Nominee Cornelius Callahan-This Day In Norwood History-February 25, 1904
To the Editor of the Norwood Advertiser. Mr. Editor: I desire to call the attention of the voters of Norwood, to a few facts concerning C. M. Callahan, Esq., nominee for the school board. Mr. Callahan is a native of the town, a product of our public schools, and an energetic, and ambitious young man.…
-
Norwood Father Sues Town for $15,000 Because Proper Conveyance is Not Provided to School-This Day In Norwood History-November 22, 1895
WANTS HIS CHILDREN CARRIED. NORWOOD, Nov 22—This town is all in a ferment again over the so-called Gillin case. Away back in 1889 Rev George Hill, who was then chairman of the school board of Norwood, authorized Mr. James J. Gillon, who resides near the Dedham borderline and three miles from the nearest normal school…
-
John Gillin Wants Children Carried to School-This Day In Norwood History-January 8, 1895
Their Father Now Wants Damages Because Their Conveyance is Not Suitable. NORWOOD, Jan 8— Three suits, aggregating $15,000, have been brought by Mr. John Gillin, who resides in the Ellis district, against the town. Each suit is for $5000 and is brought as guardian for his three minor children for alleged damages, caused by the…
-
Should Norwood Hire a School Superintendent?-This Day in Norwood History-June 7, 1890
June 8, 1890- The question of hiring a superintendent was raised at a lively town meeting. The following March, town meeting, empowered Mr. Maurice J. O’Brien , principal of the Everett School, to act in the capacity of Norwood’s first superintendent of schools.
-
Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-March 6, 1872
NORWOOD THE VICINITY OF BOSTON. The New Town or Norwood. The inhabitants of this new town, which formerly has been known as South Dedham, last evening celebrated the formal incorporation of the town; Messrs. George Winslow, Isaac Colburn, J. Edward Everett, Elijah Wheeloek, George H. Morrill, George B. Talbot, J. Metcalf Baker, J. Warren Talbot,…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.