The School Committee narrowed its search for a new superintendent of schools last night, selecting three finalists from a pool of six semifinalists.
Following a round of balloting where each of the seven committee members voted for three candidates, James R. Savage, 53—principal of Junior High School North for 13 years—placed second with six votes.
(Photo: 1983 TIOT)
⠀
Joining Savage as finalists are William J. Birmingham, 47, assistant superintendent of Arlington schools, who placed first with seven votes, and Nora M. Walker, 52, a school administrator from Warwick, Rhode Island, who received four votes.
Eliminated from contention were Armand A. Fusco, a consultant and former Hadley superintendent (three votes); Edmond P. Donlon, superintendent of the North Middlesex Regional school (one vote); and Vernon R. Wyland, superintendent of schools in Cazenovia, New York, who received no votes after failing to appear for scheduled interviews. Committee members supporting Savage—dubbed “the local boy” by Chairman Joseph M. Pentowski—argued that his extensive local track record as a teacher, department head, and principal outweighed his lack of a doctorate degree and central administrative experience. Committee member Roger M. Pelletier emphasized, “He’s got firsthand experience with the children in the school system… Being well-known in the town and having a good rapport with the committee is important.” Charles C. Saraca echoed the sentiment, while Richard W. Kief cast the lone dissenting vote against Savage, stating he preferred candidates holding doctorates and central office experience.
Top-ranked finalist Birmingham earned praise from Pentowski as a “strong leader” with a clear objective-driven mindset, while Kief commended his collaborative reputation and front-line experience. Walker was similarly lauded by Saraca and Pentowski as a tireless worker with a strong ability to build consensus—a crucial trait as the board looks for a leader capable of guiding a major high school rehabilitation project through town meeting. The committee scheduled second-round interviews and site visits for the upcoming week, with Walker interviewed at 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Willett School, Birmingham meeting the committee at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, and Savage interviewed at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, ahead of a final appointment scheduled for a week away.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Norwood Tennis Courts Recreation-July 10, 1965
On July 10, 1965, Norwood officials were actively working to resolve the placement of a proposed six-court tennis facility at the Prescott School. Recreation Superintendent Richard Ready noted that while the specific site remained undecided, he and other town officials were in the process of analyzing a location proposed by the Norwood School Committee. ⠀…
-
Norwood Renews Search For High School Principal-June 25, 1964
Officials plan to evaluate past candidates and request recommendations from Boston area colleges while Vice Principal John Mombouquette prepares for interim leadership.
-
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.
-
Oldham School Building Committee Grapples with Defective Tile Work and Construction Delays-August 7, 1963
At a special meeting addressing 22 construction issues, the Oldham School Building Committee and architect George H. Stoner rejected 1,100 square feet of improperly installed exterior tile.⠀
-
School Board Studies Hockey Rink For School, New Schools, Sets New Weather Policy-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1946
The Norwood School Committee institutes a firm new inclement weather academic policy, launches cost evaluations for a high school hockey rink, and updates educational equipment for the local schools.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.