School Building Committee Votes to Recommend Addition to Cleveland School-August 16, 1963

Voting 3 to 2, the Elementary School Building Committee decided last night to recommend constructing an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School rather than pursuing a brand-new school building. Two of the seven committee members present abstained from the vote.

The committee also agreed to convene with Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley and the School Committee at Norwood Town Hall on Thursday evening, September 19. Committee member Jean R. Brown recommended scheduling the meeting for mid-September so the committee could review “actual, room-by-room statistics of enrollment at the Oldham School.” Mrs. Brown, alongside committee members Joseph Wall and John A. Abdallah, voted in favor of proposing the Cleveland School addition. Chairman Arthur B. Rodgers and member Joseph R. Olshan voted against the motion, while Grafton J. Corbett and Paul M. Murphy abstained.

Corbett stated he felt the committee could not make a definitive recommendation until after conferring with school officials, and Murphy noted he had heard that the School Committee and Superintendent Coakley opposed additions because they “would upset the curriculum.” “As far as I’m concerned, this certainly isn’t enough information for me to go on. We’re paying the superintendent good money, we should listen to what he has to say,” Murphy argued.

Conversely, Wall insisted that enrollment statistics supported an eight-room addition and argued that the committee needed to take a firm stance before meeting with school administrators. “We have to have a point to begin with when we meet with Mr. Coakley and the School Committee,” Abdallah added in seconding Wall’s recommendation. Wall further noted that the Balch School, comprising 20 rooms, had operated efficiently, prompting Abdallah to remark, “Any principal that can’t handle an additional eight classrooms ought to resign.” Wall also recalled that when the Prescott and Cleveland schools were originally built, town officials indicated they were engineered to allow for vertical or horizontal expansion if necessary.

However, Chairman Rodgers maintained his conviction that a new elementary school was required at Wilson Street, noting that school officials and Superintendent Coakley preferred a new facility. Rodgers cautioned the committee that public debate was inevitable regardless of the final decision, stating, “…you’re going to have an argument no matter what you decide upon.”

In addition to scheduling the September conference, the committee voted unanimously to recommend adding a cafetorium to the Balch School, and reviewed the establishment of a new school district encompassing the Rustic Acres development and a section of Westover.

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

More…

Independent School Survey Recommends $21.8 Million Building Program, Terming Norwood Schools ‘Critically Overcrowded’-September 17, 1970

An independent master plan by Arthur D. Little recommends a $21.8 million building program to combat critical overcrowding across all Norwood school levels.
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.
Norwood Junior High School to Institute Double Sessions This Fall-August 20, 1969

Citing equipment and installation delays that will keep Junior High School North closed until November, the Norwood school board voted to implement double sessions at the old facility.
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.
Permanent Building Committee Unveils High School Addition Cost Estimates-June 13, 1969

Finance Commission Reviews Extensive School Expansion Proposals Ahead of Critical Monday Town Meeting Warrant Meeting late last night with the Finance Commission (FinCom), the Permanent Building Construction Committee formally quoted detailed cost estimates regarding the highly anticipated Norwood High School addition project. The comprehensive structural estimates are being prepared for immediate presentation to town representatives,…
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…
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.
Norwood Prepares Recreation Center Expansion, New Junior High Plans, and Governor John A. Volpe Visit-October 14, 1966

Norwood architects finalize plans for a recreation center addition and junior high school revisions ahead of a November town meeting, while Governor Volpe prepares to visit.
State Approval “Virtually Assured” for Two New Norwood Schools as Building Commission Reviews Plans-October 6, 1966

State officials declare approval of two new Norwood schools virtually assured, while Peabody School celebrates its tenth nursing graduation and local PTAs hold fall meetings.
Norwood School Study Group Pushes for New Elementary and Junior High Schools-October 8, 1965

Norwood school study committee pushes for town meeting approval of a new elementary school and junior high school, while debating a senior high addition.