Norwood High School’s $5 million renovation project will not be completed by the time classes are scheduled to resume on September 3, the project contractor informed town officials. Thomas Boyle, owner of Anchor Construction Co. of Lowell, stated during a joint meeting that the facility will not be ready for occupancy until October 15 at the earliest, citing persistent subcontractor issues and late material deliveries.
Major construction work remains incomplete on corridor floors and ceilings, heating and electrical systems, and critical safety infrastructure, including fire alarms and sprinkler systems, though most classroom work is finished. School Superintendent James Savage told the building committee that officials face costly decisions regarding temporary student housing, noting that the strongest alternative is utilizing the vacant Junior High School North. When building committee member Edward McDonough asked Boyle if he would bank on a September 3 opening, Boyle candidly replied, “No, in my opinion, if you can put those kids someplace else, put them someplace else.”
While construction supervisor Daniel Egan noted that 108 workers remain on site, missing key shipments—such as fire doors and heating ventilators—prevent building inspectors from granting occupancy. Committee members and project architect Richard Heydecker, along with high school Principal John Piccirilli and school committee Chairman Richard Kief, reviewed options including early dismissals or partial occupancy. However, Superintendent Savage cautioned that construction noise and uncompleted cafeterias would severely disrupt instruction, while Heydecker warned that environmental controls on the new heating system might remain unstable through January. The school committee scheduled a follow-up meeting to determine final student placement.
(Reporting by Bernie McEvoy, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Winslow School PTA President Criticizes “Cellar Classrooms”, Lack of Facilities-October 5, 1967
Winslow School PTA President Edmund G. Linehan criticizes cellar classrooms and missing gym facilities at a School Committee meeting addressing budget shortfalls and teacher talks.
-
Alan R. Wonson Reappointed as Principal of Winslow Elementary School-August 31, 1967
Following an executive session, Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan Jr. announced that the Norwood School Committee has reappointed Alan R. Wonson of Westwood as principal of the Winslow Elementary School, effective immediately. Wonson, the former vice-principal at the Cleveland Elementary School, had previously been appointed by a unanimous committee vote earlier in the month; however,…
-
School Committee Discloses Closed-Session Debate Over Elementary School Principalship Merger-August 25, 1967
School committee minutes revealed a shelved plan to merge Shattuck and Winslow schools
-
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
-
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.
-
School Committee Inspects “Deplorable” Balch School, Demanding Immediate Repairs-October 27, 1966
Following a 90-minute inspection revealing rotting windows, cracked ceilings, and decaying staircases, the School Committee ordered immediate priority repairs for the 50-year-old Balch Elementary School.
-
Norwood Teachers Association Submits $1,000 Pay Increase Proposal-August 18, 1966
The Norwood Teachers Association submitted a $1,000-plus pay raise proposal as the school committee signed its first collective bargaining agreement amid debate led by John J. Cavanaugh and William Egan.
-
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.
-
“Middle School” Configuration Proposed to Address School Overcrowding-November 4, 1965
Norwood School Committee member William Egan proposed establishing a sixth-grade “middle school” and a 2,000-pupil high school to address surging enrollment pressures.
-
Retired Norwood Junior High Vice-Principal Mildred I. O’Donnell Honored at Testimonial Dinner-October 30, 1965
Celebrating a 47-year teaching career, retired Norwood Junior High vice-principal and dean of girls Mildred I. O’Donnell was honored during a testimonial dinner at the King Philip in Wrentham.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.