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
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Schools Face Heating Oil Shortage for Upcoming Winter, While Band Camp and Library Art Programs Make Headlines-August 6, 1970
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley informed the Norwood School Committee that no companies submitted bids to supply 110,000 gallons of No. 5 heating oil for town schools due to quotas, shortages, and environmental regulations.
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Bells Are Ringin’-July 3, 1970
The Norwood School Committee overhauled its student transportation system and faced an $8,000 wave of structural school vandalism in July 1970
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Permanent Building Committee Suspends Planning For Norwood High Addition-September 5, 1969
The building committee pauses planning for a $6.1 million Norwood High School addition pending further review, while addressing low-bidding rules for school furnishings.
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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
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,…
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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
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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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