Public Schools Enrollment Down 341 Students, Though Upcoming Apartment Construction Expected to Boost Numbers-September 16, 1976

Reporting to the School Committee, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools Umberto V.C. Napoleone announced that public school enrollment has decreased by 341 students compared to the previous year, bringing total elementary enrollment down to 2,699 (a decrease of 218) and secondary enrollment down to 3,473 (a decrease of 123).

Enrollment Breakdown and Building Projections

The secondary decline is isolated entirely within the junior high schools, as Norwood High School actually experienced a slight increase of six students since last year—a figure that has since grown by 100 students since the official opening day of school. Napoleone noted that despite the overall drop, actual enrollment sits only 52 students below projections made in June.

Looking ahead, municipal and school officials anticipate that upcoming residential developments will drive student population growth back toward projected levels. Building Inspector John E. Grover outlined four major apartment complexes currently in various stages of construction:

• Norwood Gardens: 224 units
• Norwest Woods: 190 units
• Nahatan and West Border Road Complex: 138 units
• Dean Street Apartments: 69 units

Many of these units are expected to be ready for occupancy by October 1, at which point enrollments are projected to stabilize.

Staffing Adjustments and Teacher Appointments

Responding to the high school’s higher-than-expected opening enrollment surge, Assistant Superintendent James R. Donovan requested and received approval to hire two new high school teachers to fill vacancies: Nancy Huggan as a Spanish teacher and Kristin Melbye for the English department. Additionally, the committee approved hiring a special needs aide for the kindergarten at the Willett School, though a request from Napoleone for two general instructional aides was tabled for four weeks to evaluate classroom needs.

Discussion on staffing trends revealed that overall teaching staff levels had previously been reduced by four-and-one-half positions last year and seven positions the year before, leaving a total of 117 teachers in the department. Following open session, the school committee entered an executive session to conduct salary negotiations with nonunion administrative staff, including the superintendent, assistant superintendents, business manager, superintendent of buildings and grounds, and head of the computer department.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger