School Enrollment Drop Projected-August 27, 1977

As Norwood public schools prepare to open on September 7, school officials project a total enrollment of 5,852 students-representing a decrease of 319 students compared to the 6,171 enrolled on opening day the previous year.

School Committee Chairman Richard Kief noted that this projected drop is “reasonably consistent” with estimates presented during the June 23 town meeting. Although official projections for individual grades will not be released until the following week, Kief confirmed that because the decline was anticipated and factored into teacher contracts, the district will not implement staff cuts for the school year. This follows a vote by the school committee last May to eliminate 22 teaching positions from a staff of approximately 470 in anticipation of shrinking class sizes.

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

Norwood Public School Students Score Strongly on State Basic-Skills Exams-September 2, 1982

Students across Norwood public schools have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, scoring remarkably well on state-mandated basic-skills tests for the second consecutive year. Released recently following examinations administered last spring, the district data reveals that only a very small handful of students across grades three, five, and eight failed to achieve minimum passing standards in reading,…
School Long-Range Planning Panel to Deliver Progress Report-August 24, 1982

Facing declining enrollments, Norwood’s school planning panel will deliver a progress report in October and final recommendations on grade configurations and potential school closures in January.
Norwood School Committee to Ask Teachers to Renegotiate Contracts-August 20, 1982

Citing finance commission opposition and Proposition 2 1/2 limits, the school committee will ask teachers to renegotiate 8 percent pay raises or face town meeting review on September 20.
Norwood School Committee Narrows Superintendent Search to Three Finalists, Including Junior High North Principal James R. Savage-August 11, 1982

Junior High North Principal James R. Savage was named one of three finalists for Norwood superintendent of schools, alongside Arlington assistant superintendent William J. Birmingham and Rhode Island administrator Nora M. Walker.
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.
Norwood High School Senior Edward J. Skricki Named Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist; Three Peers Commended-October 13, 1981

Norwood High senior Edward J. Skricki achieves National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist standing, joined by commended classmates Judith Martowska, Susan O’Brien, and Joseph Petrie Jr.
Superintendent Taris Seeks to Curb Rising Costs of After-Hours School Building Use-September 4, 1981

Superintendent of Schools Louis J. Taris is pushing to rein in the surging volume of outside organizations utilizing school facilities during evening and weekend hours, citing mounting financial burdens on the school department. Dr. Taris informed the school committee that dozens of local organizations currently utilize school buildings after hours, frequently without paying any rental…
Norwood School Committee Votes Eliminate Youth Hangout-July 31, 1981

Following rampant vandalism, late-night drinking, and brush fires near Callahan Elementary School, the Norwood School Committee voted to fund a $6,000 clearing project to eliminate a notorious youth hangout.
School Committee Awards New Transportation Contracts-July 16, 1981

After a difficult budget cycle in 1980, the committee avoided controversy by budgeting accurately and selecting trusted local transportation providers.
Winslow School eyed for elderly housing-September 3, 1980

Following the closure of school administrative offices at the Winslow School, the Norwood Housing Authority is actively setting its sights on converting the historic four-acre property at the corner of Chapel Street and Winslow Avenue into much-needed housing for the elderly. During a unanimous vote last night, the housing authority agreed to submit a formal…