Norwood High School $5 Million Renovation Delayed; Opening Postponed Beyond September 3-August 16, 1985

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

Norwood Kindergarten Bus Routes Announced for Fall Term-September 9, 1983

School officials have officially released the comprehensive morning and afternoon bus route schedules for Norwood kindergarten students, with classes set to begin on Monday. Schedule and School-Specific Route Details The morning kindergarten session commences at 8:40 a.m. (with first pickups beginning at 8:20 a.m. and dismissal at 11:15 a.m.), while the afternoon session begins at…
Rain-Damaged Cleveland and Prescott Schools Expected to Be Repaired by September-August 17, 1983

Unexpected rainstorms caused roof leaks at the Cleveland and Prescott schools during active construction, though officials expect full contractor-funded repairs before the September opening.
John A. Poce Named Principal at Junior High School North-November 11, 1982

The Norwood School Committee unanimously appointed 24-year veteran educator and former Norwood High baseball captain John A. Poce as principal of Junior High School North.
School Committee Warns of Political Firestorms Over Forthcoming School Closing Study-October 21, 1981

Praising the progress of a long-range school planning study, Norwood School Committee members warned that recommendations regarding school closures could spark emotional political debates in January.
School Officials Seek $62,700 from Town Meeting to Fund Classroom Computers-September 10, 1982

School officials plan to ask town meeting for $62,700 to purchase 16 computers for elementary, junior high, and high schools to introduce students to computer technology.
Selectmen Target $82,500 for Gymnasium Repairs While Uncovering Wider $750,000 School Roof Crisis-September 9, 1982

Facing extensive water damage at Norwood High School, selectmen tentatively agreed to recommend an $82,500 appropriation at the September 20 special town meeting—while a broader engineering survey revealed an estimated $750,000 in necessary roof repairs across the school district. Gym Floor Damage and Architectural Estimates An August 9 rainstorm caused severe rainwater leakage from a…
John Poce Appointed Acting Principal of Junior High School North-September 9, 1982

Junior High School North vice-principal John Poce is unanimously appointed acting principal by the school committee following James R. Savage’s promotion to superintendent.
Norwood Public School Students Score Strongly on State Basic-Skills Exams-September 2, 1982

Students across Norwood public schools have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, scoring remarkably well on state-mandated basic-skills tests for the second consecutive year. Released recently following examinations administered last spring, the district data reveals that only a very small handful of students across grades three, five, and eight failed to achieve minimum passing standards in reading,…
School Long-Range Planning Panel to Deliver Progress Report-August 24, 1982

Facing declining enrollments, Norwood’s school planning panel will deliver a progress report in October and final recommendations on grade configurations and potential school closures in January.
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.