Unless construction work on a new sprinkler system is fully completed by tonight, Norwood High School will be forced to continue operating on half-day sessions next week, and the School Committee may pursue formal legal action against the contractor, ABC Sprinkler Co. of Allston.
Construction Delays and Financial Impact
Philip C. Swain of the permanent building construction committee reported that the project had suffered from poor initial engineering work. While Swain expressed hope that work would wrap up sufficiently to permit normal operations by Monday, the remaining unfinished tasks are concentrated in the school kitchen and cafeteria.
School officials emphasized that even after construction finishes, custodians and 22 cafeteria personnel will require a few days to thoroughly clean up accumulated debris and sanitize kitchen equipment before hot meals can be safely served. The original contract specified August 27 as the completion deadline, but repeated postponements have plagued the project.
School Committee member Richard W. Kief urged immediate punitive action, suggesting the town pull the contractor’s performance bond. “They keep putting off the completion date and are not performing in accord with the agreement. We should take the strongest possible action,” Kief declared. Kief further noted that the school department faces mounting financial waste, including potential overtime pay for cleaning crews and paying full-day wages for 114 teachers and cafeteria workers despite the truncated schedule.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Newcomers Learn to Take Middle School in Their Stride-September 7, 1989
Transitioning from elementary school to middle school can be an intimidating milestone for any young student, but as classes officially got underway this week, Norwood’s newest middle schoolers quickly learned to take the change in stride. Navigating larger hallways, adjusting to rotating class schedules, and meeting new teachers mark a major rite of passage for…
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First Day of School Brings Excitement and New Beginnings for Norwood’s Class of 1999-September 10, 1987
Norwood students return to class for the 1987-88 school year, marking the first day of school for the Balch Elementary first-graders who make up the graduating class of 1999.
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Balch and Norwood High Welcome Students on the First Day of School for the Class of 1999-September 10, 1987
Balch Elementary and Norwood High welcome students back for the 1987-88 academic year, marking the first day of school for the graduating Class of 1999.
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Norwood High Teachers to Implement Uniform Curriculum Guides Starting Next Week-September 3, 1987
When classes resume next week, high school teachers across Norwood will officially be “going by the book.” Superintendent of Schools James Savage informed the school committee that faculty members teaching every course—from woodshop to algebra—will be required to follow newly established, standardized curriculum guides authored by Norwood educators. Closing the Gap in District Education The…
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$16,600 Grant Equips New Norwood High School Cable Television Studio-August 18, 1987
Norwood Community Television awarded a $16,600 grant to equip a new student-run television studio at Norwood High School, expanding local cable programming and production training.
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Norwood High School Releases Fourth-Quarter Honor Roll-August 14, 1986
Norwood High School announced its student honor roll for the fourth quarter of the 1985-1986 academic year, recognizing academic achievement across senior, junior, and sophomore classes.
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Extra $10,000 Approved for High School Renovation-August 7, 1986
Amid project delays tied to Anchor Construction Corp., the Norwood Finance Commission voted 3-1 to approve an extra $10,000 for KL&Q Architects to oversee the completion of the $5 million high school renovation.
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School Opening Delayed for High School Students-August 27, 1985
Norwood high school classes are delayed to September 9 as students temporarily relocate to Junior High North during a $5 million renovation project.
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High School Students to Relocate to Vacant Junior High School North-August 21, 1985
Citing extensive construction delays by Anchor Construction Co., Norwood school officials voted to move nearly 950 high school students to Junior High School North for the start of the school year.
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Norwood School Officials Weigh Alternatives as Renovation Delays Threaten High School Opening-August 8, 1985
Norwood school officials discussed seven alternatives for opening day if $5 million high school renovations are not finished, while firmly rejecting double sessions.
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