John F. Monahan, principal of the Prescott School, was named school department business manager last night, filling a post that had remained vacant for a year and saddled Superintendent Louis J. Taris with extra administrative duties.
Alongside Monahan’s appointment, the School Committee voted to transfer Alan Wonson, who had served as principal of the Willett School since its opening in 1968, to the Prescott School to replace Monahan. The committee announced plans to seek a temporary “building administrator” or acting principal from within the school system for the Willett School until its anticipated closure in one or two years. Monahan, affectionately termed a “favorite son” by committee member Charles C. Saraca, stood to lose his principalship when the Willett closes due to having the least seniority among district principals. Addressing the board, Monahan thanked the committee for its confidence and assured members that he would not seek another principalship if one opened up, stating, “All my efforts will go to my job as business manager.” Before arriving in Norwood as a teacher in 1963, Monahan worked as an accountant for several firms.
The committee had interviewed five other candidates for the business manager position. Superintendent Taris noted that the yearlong vacancy had forced him to shoulder double duties since Lawrence S. Canter departed the role the previous August for a similar position in Bedford, while Thomas Lyndon of the Education Cooperative had temporarily assisted as a part-time business consultant.
In other business during the session, the committee:
- Asked Ruth Shea to delay her planned August 31 retirement until a permanent replacement can be found as director of the Peabody School.
- Voted to combine the boys and girls physical and health education department head positions at the high school for one year as a cost-saving measure, with potential for permanence.
- Raised the price of teacher lunches from 95 cents to $1.25 and introduced charges for desserts at the junior high and high schools (20 cents for small desserts, 25 cents for large), which were previously included in the meal price.
- Trimmed elementary school dessert service from five days a week to two days a week. Food Services Director Mary Nagle explained that the price adjustments and cutbacks were necessary to offset rising food costs and decreasing federal subsidies. (Reporting by local archives).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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In Memoriam- James Joseph Gormley
JAMES JOSEPH GORMLEY entered the service of the Norwood Public Schools on September 7, 1932. Until death took him from us on April 15, 1960, he devoted his life and energy to the youth of Norwood and to the school work he loved so much. Jim Gormley worked long and well for our community. As…
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Prescott School Dedication Plans Set-January 11, 1959
Special Ceremonies Planned Week Apart Plans for the formal exercises marking the dedication of Norwood’s two new elementary schools – the Cleveland and the Prescott – were announced today by the committee. Arthur B. Rodgers, chairman of the Elementary Schools Building Committee, said that the dedication of the Prescot School located off Neponset and Dean…
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Record Hop Planned at Armory-March 8, 1958
Mr. Frank Borsa, Superintendent Ready, Recreation Department, and John F. Reynolds met with the Selectmen and discussed application of Mr. Borsa, on behalf of his son, for a permit to conduct a Record Hop at the Norwood Armory. Mr. Borsa said the surrounding towns have record hop, conducted by a disc jockey and they do…
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Ponder Question Of Land For School Purposes-This Day in Norwood History-May 30, 1950
This Day in Norwood History-May 30, 1950-Ponder Question Of Land For School Purposes
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Redecorating Of School Interiors Is Recommended-February 9, 1950
Purchase Of Land For New Stands At High School Also Urged By Supt. Lynch Recommendations for the improvement of the present school plant before the town faced with the problem of new construction were advanced by School Superintendent Lincoln D. Lynch, as principal speaker at the February meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night…
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New Play Area With Skating Rink For Senior High Grounds-This Day in Norwood History-January 12, 1950
Town meeting members will have an opportunity at the special town meeting in the spring to take action on a new play area at the Senior High School, which among other things would provide facilities for a skating rink, according to a plan suggested by School Superintendent Lincoln D. Lynch and which is looked on…
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Grade Schools To Be Closed During Storm Emergency-This Day In Norwood History-January 27, 1948
Ordered Shut Down Until Further Notice To Keep Pupils Off Streets The cancellation of school sessions for elementary grade students until further notice was ordered at the organization meeting of the School Committee, last night. The vote to close the elementary schools was the result of a motion by Committeeman John J. Cook, seconded by…
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Movement Underway Here For Public Kindergarten-This Day in Norwood History-November 7, 1946
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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.
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Plans for Emergency Veterans Housing on Bellevue Ave Move Ahead-This Day in Norwood History-February 15, 1946
Town Proceeds With Preparations For Project At Bellevue Ave. Site A representative of the Federal Public Housing Authority placed his approval on two sites for emergency housing for war veterans following an inspection tour of Norwood on Wednesday. The Number One choice of the Board of Selectmen is a tract of land on the westerly…
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