School Committee Chairman John J. Cavanaugh temporarily handed the gavel to committeeman Thomas A. Couch during a turbulent meeting last night to second a motion to move into executive session, sparking a sharp debate over public transparency and governing board protocols.
Following initial friction regarding items slated for the closed-door agenda, the committee reversed course and voted unanimously to conduct scheduled bargaining appointments with representatives of the Norwood Teachers Association (NTA) and the Norwood Public Schools Custodians Association in open session. Under state law, public governing bodies are mandated to hold open meetings unless specific statutory exemptions apply, such as protecting individual reputations, financial interests, or public security. Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley noted that the closed session was initially intended to review personnel matters.
Charles Sweeney, chairman of the NTA salary committee, met briefly with the school committee to discuss non-salary contract provisions—including teaching hours, class sizes, and non-teaching duties. However, because the association’s negotiating committee is not yet fully formed, formal action was deferred. Meanwhile, Arthur Henry, chairman of the Norwood School Custodians Association, reported that his union is seeking a formal legal interpretation of an ambiguous management clause before resuming negotiations.
Elementary Class Sizes Ease With Willett School Opening
On a positive administrative note, Superintendent Coakley informed the committee that the opening of the new Willett School has successfully relieved elementary-level crowding across the district. Current pupil-teacher ratios stand at:
- Balch: 26.3 to 1
- Callahan: 24.6 to 1
- Cleveland: 24.2 to 1
- Oldham: 21.7 to 1
- Prescott: 24.3 to 1
- Shattuck: 23.5 to 1
- Willett: 22.7 to 1
- Winslow: 22.5 to 1
Superintendent Coakley added that the anticipated opening of the new North Junior High School next year will further relieve spatial pressures at both the existing junior high and the senior high school, allowing the latter to return to a traditional three-year configuration.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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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
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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Funeral Services For George Harding Smith, of Berwick & Smith, Norwood Press-This Day In Norwood History-December 12, 1941
Obituary for George Harding Smith (Aged 83) Funeral services for George Harding Smith, prominent Norwood businessman and town official until his retirement, who died Wednesday at the Framingham Hospital, will be held Sunday afternoon at the Unitarian Church. Medfield. He was the father of Mrs. Dorothy E. Gruening, wife of Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska.…
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