The Norwood School Committee voted 4 to 2 last night to abandon plans for the reconstruction of the fire-damaged Norwood Junior High School South and instead pursue the duplication of Junior High North on a new site yet to be selected. The pivotal decision came after reviewing architectural estimates and wrestling with strict state land requirements and funding hurdles.
The committee decided to reexplore all previously discussed site possibilities for a new junior high school, including the Endean area and Hennessey Field, a town-owned location originally reserved for an elementary school. Opposing the move to abandon the refurbishment of the burned-out school were committee members Charles C. Saraca and John J. Cavanaugh, while board member Henry W. Diggs was absent. John J. Cavanaugh objected to the timing of the motion, terming the committee’s action hasty until all possible sites had been thoroughly checked, while Charles C. Saraca stated he preferred to restore and add to Junior High South unless the cost was roughly the same as a new school.
Architectural estimates for the various proposals—prepared by the Boston firm Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott alongside the Norwood firm Korslund, LeNormand and Quann—ranged significantly. Restoring the present facility was estimated to cost between $4.2 and $5.6 million, though it faced a lack of state aid due to the small size of the Washington Street location. Conversely, duplicating Junior High North was estimated at $5.7 million, while constructing a new school at Hennessey Field ranged from $6.9 to $8.2 million depending on modifications to handle a large amount of ledge. Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley and committee members Rudith Berkowitz, William F. Egan, and Francis K. Sheehan Jr. ultimately argued that rebuilding the old school for the same cost as a modern facility was financially unwise, leading to the vote in favor of new construction.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Committee Votes to Reroof Aaron Guild School Ahead of Winter Months-September 8, 1972
Norwood’s building committee votes to undertake immediate reroofing of the Aaron Guild School, eliminates skylights, and reviews Endean Park school construction and athletic field costs.
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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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Norwood Voters To Act On 12‑Article Warrant-July 25, 1967
Norwood residents debated parking, schools, cemetery expansion, and land transfers at a 1967 town meeting.
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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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