Patricia A. McDonald Elected NTA President-This Day In Norwood History-June 4, 1981

Patricia A. McDonald, a Junior High School South teacher, recently continued a local tradition by being elected president of the Norwood Teachers Association. Her election maintains a consistent lineage of educators from the social studies department chosen to lead Norwood’s largest municipal labor fraternity. Her predecessor, Margaret “Randy” Reilley, and Richard King before her, among others, likewise emerged from the social studies ranks.

The Norwood Teachers Association also elected Elizabeth Ring of Junior High School South as vice president, Stephen Shinnick as treasurer, and Maureen Buckley as secretary, with both of the latter officers serving at Junior High School North. Richard King, based at Junior High School North, serves as the Norfolk County teachers representative.

Completing her 10th year as a teacher, the newly elected president offered an explanation for the frequent ascension of social studies teachers to the Norwood Teachers Association leadership, stating, “Where the interest anyway is in politics and history, I think it carries over to our association activities as well.”

During her upcoming term, McDonald hopes for “a constructive year of rebuilding morale.” Past president Reilley projected that the Norwood Teachers Association, which counted 353 members including administrators last September, might shrink by approximately 30 members this fall. Restoring morale presents a significant challenge, as 35 full-time positions are being cut under the new budget.

“There’s a great deal of uncertainty,” McDonald noted. “There have been 75 people given notices of one kind or another. With cases of equal seniority, the question is who will be let go,” she said. “There are a number of very good teachers going, and there’s nothing you can do unless we get some money back.” She indicated there is some hope that new state money could allow certain positions to be reinstated. A combination of declining student enrollment and Proposition 2 1/2 has additionally led to the dropping of 20 part-time coaching positions among other personnel.

Teachers with seniority who are entitled to remain by “bumping” those junior in their specialty have been left wondering which schools they might be assigned to next year.

In addition to building morale, improving the public image of teachers stands as a second core goal for McDonald. She expressed a desire to focus on Norwood Teachers Association school activities outside the classroom to offset negative public feelings toward modern educators. She cited the Norwood Teachers Association handing out over $2,000 in scholarships each June as one example, and the annual trip for ninth graders to Washington, D.C., supervised by teachers, as another.

“I don’t think the town appreciates all the extra time teachers put in,” McDonald stated.

Coming off what was described as perhaps the most difficult year any Norwood Teachers Association leader could face, Randy Reilley spoke positively regarding her time in office. “I really enjoyed it. That’s trite, but true,” she said. “I found it extremely challenging and extremely important to be able to have a chance – basically the idea is to help – in trying to preserve the educational system in Norwood.”

Reilley, who is also completing her 10th year teaching at Norwood High School, monitored all but two Norwood School Committee meetings between August and May. The committee met weekly, and occasionally more frequently, during the fall and winter months to debate and agonize over a budget constrained by Proposition 2 1/2.

“It’s been difficult, and there’s a whole lot more problems before the impact of 2 1/2 is eventually resolved,” Reilley said, adding, “And yes, I’d do it over again, but one year at a time, please.”

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