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
More…
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Norwood School Committee to Ask Teachers to Renegotiate Contracts-August 20, 1982
Citing finance commission opposition and Proposition 2 1/2 limits, the school committee will ask teachers to renegotiate 8 percent pay raises or face town meeting review on September 20.
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Norwood School Committee Narrows Superintendent Search to Three Finalists, Including Junior High North Principal James R. Savage-August 11, 1982
Junior High North Principal James R. Savage was named one of three finalists for Norwood superintendent of schools, alongside Arlington assistant superintendent William J. Birmingham and Rhode Island administrator Nora M. Walker.
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Peabody School Graduates Told Of Obligation To Support Education-June 25, 1982
School officials emphasize community obligations and moral commitments to public education during exercises at Junior High School South.
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Superintendent Taris Seeks to Curb Rising Costs of After-Hours School Building Use-September 4, 1981
Superintendent of Schools Louis J. Taris is pushing to rein in the surging volume of outside organizations utilizing school facilities during evening and weekend hours, citing mounting financial burdens on the school department. Dr. Taris informed the school committee that dozens of local organizations currently utilize school buildings after hours, frequently without paying any rental…
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Norwood School Committee Votes Eliminate Youth Hangout-July 31, 1981
Following rampant vandalism, late-night drinking, and brush fires near Callahan Elementary School, the Norwood School Committee voted to fund a $6,000 clearing project to eliminate a notorious youth hangout.
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School Committee Awards New Transportation Contracts-July 16, 1981
After a difficult budget cycle in 1980, the committee avoided controversy by budgeting accurately and selecting trusted local transportation providers.
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Winslow School eyed for elderly housing-September 3, 1980
Following the closure of school administrative offices at the Winslow School, the Norwood Housing Authority is actively setting its sights on converting the historic four-acre property at the corner of Chapel Street and Winslow Avenue into much-needed housing for the elderly. During a unanimous vote last night, the housing authority agreed to submit a formal…
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Norwood School Board Rejects All Special Needs Busing Bids-August 21, 1980
With opening day just two weeks away, the Norwood School Committee voted 4-3 to reject all bids received the previous week for special needs student transportation. Acting under emergency procedures, the board announced it will call for new bids by Tuesday, with a potential contract award scheduled for Wednesday night. The rejected proposals came from…
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Henry O. Peabody School Director Ruth Shea Ponders Retirement After 14 Years-August 12, 1980
After 14 years expanding vocational education, Henry O. Peabody School director Ruth Shea ponders retirement while securing a 97 percent graduate job placement rate.
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Norwood School Administration Relocates to Willett School-July 24, 1980
The Norwood School Administration relocated to the George F. Willett School and enacted strict new graduation credit requirements.
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