Saraca Fights to Conduct Grievance in Open Session-September 6, 1979

Following a sharp debate sparked by committee member Charles C. Saraca, the School Committee heard an elementary teacher’s grievance in an open public session last night, bucking initial plans to handle the matter behind closed doors.

The grievance was brought forward by Lee Armstrong, an elementary art teacher of six years whose position was slashed from full-time to three-fifths time due to declining student enrollment. Armstrong was advised during the meeting by Stephen Shinnick, chairman of the Norwood Teachers Association grievance committee.

Saraca strongly objected to holding an executive session, arguing that because the dispute did not involve matters impugning Armstrong’s character or reputation, public transparency demanded an open hearing so taxpayers could understand administrative decisions within the school district. When a preliminary vote on moving into executive session ended in a tie—with committee member William F. Egan absent—the rules required the board to proceed in open session.

Preference for Closed Proceedings

Upon arriving, Armstrong and Shinnick were asked for their preference. Shinnick informed the committee that “most grievances are best discussed in executive session” and asked if members would reconsider, noting that an open forum could complicate matters since another teacher’s name was referenced in the filings.

Although Committee Chairman Ruth Berkowitz invited the faction favoring an open session to move for reconsideration, neither Saraca nor supporting members William F. Pudsey and Joseph Pentowski made a motion to change course. The grievance was subsequently heard in relative quiet during the open session, and the committee took the matter under advisement.

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

More…

SNCARC Wins School Committee Support to Operate at Former Willett School Building-July 29, 1982

The Norwood School Committee supported SNCARC’s plan to lease space at the former Willett School building on Westover Parkway for a 12-town habilitation center.
Peabody School Graduates Told Of Obligation To Support Education-June 25, 1982

School officials emphasize community obligations and moral commitments to public education during exercises at Junior High School South.
Henry W. Diggs Vows to Support Superintendent Louis J. Taris if He Returns to Norwood School Committee-October 16, 1981

Former school committee chairman Henry W. Diggs announced last night that if he regains his seat on the committee in next year’s election, he intends to vote to renew the contract of Schools Superintendent Louis J. Taris. Diggs, who served on the school board for roughly 18 years before being unseated in a contentious 1978…
Students Take Reins For Town Government Day-June 9, 1981

School Committee Pledges Paint And Textbook Inventory To Student Delegates The utilitarian gray paint covering the walls of the Norwood High School cafeteria may soon be replaced with student-designed artwork following a successful session of the annual town student government day . High school students who were elected by their sophomore and junior peers to…
Perfect Day For 494 Norwood High Grads-June 7, 1981

Class Of 1981 Celebrates Commencement Ceremonies At Murray Field A perfect June day greeted the 494 graduating seniors of Norwood High School and the crowd of more than 2,000 friends and relatives who gathered yesterday at Murray Field to honor them. Led by class President Paulette Alty, the class of 1981 cheered for each other…
Norwood Selectmen Vote 3-1 to Oppose Tax-Cutting Proposition 2 1/2-October 16, 1980

Grappling with the looming financial threat of a statewide tax-limitation ballot initiative, the Board of Selectmen voted 3 to 1 last night to officially go on record opposing Proposition 2 1/2 ahead of the November 4 election. Local assessors had previously registered their opposition to the measure, and selectmen warned that if passed by voters,…
Donna Glaser Appointed New Varsity Cheerleader Coach-September 18, 1980

Norwood School Committee unanimously appoints Donna Glaser as varsity cheerleader coach and discusses truant officer staffing.
School Committee Smokers Voluntarily Adopt Hallway Smoke Breaks to Protect Health of Colleague Charles Saraca-August 21, 1980

Eschewing a formal indoor smoking ban, Norwood School Committee members Rudith Berkowitz, Richard Joseph, Joan Cuff, and William Egan voluntarily chose to take hallway smoke breaks to safeguard Charles Saraca’s health.
George F. Willett School Faces Potential Temporary Reprieve-October 18, 1979

Enrollment and Space Questions Revive Closing Debate-October 18, 1979 The future of the George F. Willett School is back under intense scrutiny. Although the School Committee voted on January 17 to shutter the facility in 1980, School Superintendent Louis J. Taris told the committee last night that the timeline might be flexible. “The timing hinges…
Saraca Fights to Conduct Grievance in Open Session-September 6, 1979

School committee member Charles C. Saraca successfully insists that an art teacher’s workload grievance be heard in an open public session rather than behind closed doors.