Norwood’s school committee was warned last night that the town’s special education program faces a severe fiscal crunch for the upcoming academic year.
School Business Manager Lawrence Canter reported that the town may run short of funds to pay for specialized services and external placements mandated by the state’s landmark special education law, known as Chapter 766.
While the school department budgeted $70,000 for outside treatment agencies, preliminary estimates indicate that roughly $60,000 of that total is already earmarked. Canter warned that costs are expected to escalate further due to state funding cutbacks—including the loss of Department of Mental Health funding for a private nonprofit agency serving local children, which could force Norwood to cover increased tuition costs.
Legal Precedent and State Funding Lawsuit
Adding to the financial uncertainty, Canter noted that approximately $55,000 unspent from the 1974–75 special education budget is currently in question following a recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling against Worcester. The court nullified Worcester’s use of Chapter 766 funds to offset its tax rate, forcing the city to transfer $714,000 back into a special education account. Canter urged the committee to seek guidance from Town Counsel Justin C. Barton to determine if Norwood’s accounting practices are similarly affected.
In response to state under-funding of the mandated program—for which Norwood is expected to receive $128,416 this year—school committee member Richard Joseph proposed joining a multi-town lawsuit to compel the state to fully fund Chapter 766 mandates. Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley agreed to confer with Town Counsel Barton regarding the proposal.
Special Education Transportation Contracts
During the meeting, the committee awarded three-year transportation contracts totaling $60,730 annually to two firms: Carl F. Kiessling Transportation Co. of Dedham and Kiessling School Transportation Co. of South Walpole. The awards were approved after rejecting one- and five-year terms. Committee member William Travers advocated for the three-year limit over competing Norwood-based bids to allow local providers an opportunity to re-bid sooner.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Bios of New Norwood Public School Teachers-August 29, 1963
As the Norwood public school system prepares for the upcoming academic year, officials announced the appointment of 56 new teachers. Biographical profiles for the first 28 incoming educators highlight their educational backgrounds and assignments: High School Appointments Elementary, Junior High, and Special Services Appointments Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest…
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Superintendent Coakley Announces Upcoming Student Registration, New Teacher Orientation, and Summer Maintenance Progress-August 22, 1963
Norwood schools set registration dates and orientation schedules while summer maintenance projects wrap up across local buildings ahead of the September 4 opening.
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Eight-Room Addition to Cleveland School Recommended Over New Construction-August 16, 1963
Voting 3 to 2, the Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School over building a new facility, setting a joint meeting with Superintendent Philip O. Coakley.
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School Building Committee Votes to Recommend Addition to Cleveland School-August 16, 1963
By a 3-2 vote, Norwood’s Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School rather than constructing a new facility on Wilson Street.
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Oldham School Building Committee Grapples with Defective Tile Work and Construction Delays-August 7, 1963
At a special meeting addressing 22 construction issues, the Oldham School Building Committee and architect George H. Stoner rejected 1,100 square feet of improperly installed exterior tile.⠀
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Norwood Junior High Aerial View-October 9, 1957
Norwood Junior High Aerial View-This Day In Norwood History-October 9, 1957
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School Board Studies Hockey Rink For School, New Schools, Sets New Weather Policy-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1946
The Norwood School Committee institutes a firm new inclement weather academic policy, launches cost evaluations for a high school hockey rink, and updates educational equipment for the local schools.
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