More than 1,500 junior high school students in Norwood will face double sessions this fall after the school board learned that the newly constructed Junior High School North will not be ready for occupancy until mid-November at the earliest.
Meeting in a unanimous vote, the school board authorized the temporary double-session arrangement at the old junior high facility after permanent building construction committee chairman John J. Egan reported that delivery and installation delays for essential equipment-such as shelving and science apparatus—will prevent a September 3 opening.
The disruption comes less than a year after the board voted to incorporate the ninth grade into the junior high configuration to alleviate severe overcrowding at Norwood High School. Egan and building committee member Richard Kief explained that once remaining equipment arrives, installation must proceed in a strict sequential order rather than concurrently. Kief noted that manpower shortages have compounded the timeline, though he praised general contractor C.R. Burns of Brookline for making every effort to push the project forward.
While kitchen and gymnasium equipment are ready, and roof leaks have been isolated away from the main instructional spaces, the school must secure a temporary occupancy permit from the state Department of Public Safety for the central “B” section-which contains a majority of the classrooms-to allow partial use while construction wraps up in other wings. Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley acknowledged his earlier optimism, stating that everyone involved was deeply disappointed by the delay.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Gridlock Over $6-Million Junior High Rebuilding Plan and Norwood Arena Noise-This Day in Norwood History-June 27, 1971
A dual crisis hits Norwood in 1971 as a $6-million junior high deficit triggers political warfare and state experts condemn racetrack noise.
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Work Under Way At Junior High North-May 29, 1970
In 1970, Norwood Junior High North saw new fencing, repaving, and drainage improvements while a major school facilities survey moved toward completion, shaping long‑term planning.
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Norwood Kills Funds For School Addition-June 26, 1969
Voters approve a $1,000 Endean Park drainage compromise and reverse a zoning rule to relocate Carl A. Johnson’s Norwood Cadillac Co. along Route 1.
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Strikes And Weather Delay North Junior High School Construction-June 17, 1969
Superintendent Warns Of Possible Double-Session Classes If Washington Street Facility Openings Fail A steel strike at the end of last summer halted installation of metal decking for the roof and delayed the roofer. Snow and freezing weather further hampered the project before the roof could be completed at the new school site. Without a roof,…
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Parents Challenge Junior‑High Redistricting Plan-June 12, 1969
In June 1969, furious Cleveland School families took their grievances directly to town leaders, sparking a tense debate over school enrollment, modern facilities, and neighborhood identity.
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Willett School Wiring Dispute Adds $9,000 to Construction Costs Ahead of September Opening-July 28, 1968
⠀ The Norwood Permanent Building Construction Committee last night voted to approve the installation of additional circuit breaker panels so that the Willett School can open on schedule in September. The cost of the electrical installation is estimated at approximately $9,000. William J. Kates, supervisor of the Municipal Light Department and inspector of wires, advised…
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Ground Broken for $1.23 Million George F. Willett Elementary School-August 11, 1967
Following a $1.04 million contract award and emergency state borrowing approval, Rocheford Construction Co. broke ground on the 16-classroom George F. Willett Elementary School.
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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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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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School Committee Considers New School Sites-March 22, 1962
NORWOOD, Mar, 22 -Arthur B. Rodgers, chairman of the School Housing Study Committee which is responsible for the long-range projection of the towns future school needs, has requested information from the School Committee on its plans for new schools. Being considered by the School Committee are the possibilities of the construction of a second junior…
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