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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Almost 50% of Graduates Head To College-July 10, 1969
The Norwood High School guidance department released a significant report on July 10, 1969, detailing the educational future of the school’s 419 graduates. The data revealed that approximately 45 percent of the class planned to attend four-year colleges that fall, a figure the department noted was likely the highest percentage of four-year institution acceptances in…
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Special School Program Enters Fourth Year-June 24, 1969
Utilizing a low 5-1 student-to-teacher ratio, a staff of 36 professionals works to reinforce reading skills and improve academic performance for public and parochial school children.
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School District Prepares for New Academic Year with Orientation Institute and Registration Dates-August 14, 1968
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley announced student registration dates and school opening schedules as Norwood public schools welcome dozens of new educators for the 1968-1969 academic year.
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Alan R. Wonson Reappointed as Principal of Winslow Elementary School-August 31, 1967
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School Committee Discloses Closed-Session Debate Over Elementary School Principalship Merger-August 25, 1967
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School Committee Considers Sweeping Administrative Reorganization Plan-August 24, 1967
School Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan Jr. proposed a sweeping administrative reorganization creating an associate superintendent to streamline Norwood school management
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Schools Prepare for 5th Annual New Teacher Orientation-August 22, 1967
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley welcomed 58 incoming educators at the fifth annual teacher orientation institute at Prescott School, introducing new faculty across secondary and elementary schools.
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Norwood Teachers Association Submits $1,000 Pay Increase Proposal-August 18, 1966
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Andrew J. Ciarletta Jr. Appointed Principal of Winslow Elementary School-July 27, 1966
The Norwood School Committee appointed Andrew J. Ciarletta Jr. as principal of Winslow Elementary School, succeeding Alan R. Wonson.
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Superintendent Coakley Tells PTA Council That $4 Million in New School Construction Is Mandatory-September 10, 1965
Dr. Philip O. Coakley tells the PTA Council that $4 million in new school construction—including a new elementary and junior high—is mandatory to handle over-capacity enrollment.
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