State officials yesterday granted Norwood school authorities permission to delay the start of classes for high school and vocational students by three days, moving their opening date to September 9. Superintendent James R. Savage requested the postponement to provide teachers and administrators adequate time to prepare the recently closed Junior High North, which will temporarily house 950 high school students while a $5 million renovation of the senior high school is underway.
Savage noted that the extra time is necessary for teachers to familiarize themselves with the building, sort instructional materials, and allow custodians to clean facilities and inspect machinery. Junior High North had been closed over a year prior due to declining enrollment. Meanwhile, elementary and junior high classes remain scheduled to begin on September 4, with kindergarten classes commencing on September 9.
Renovation Timeline and Vocational Relocation
While school officials initially hoped to return students to the main high school following Christmas vacation, Savage acknowledged that construction delays might push that timeline back. Project contractor Anchor Construction officials indicated that portions of the renovation may not wrap up until sometime in October at the earliest.
The Henry O. Peabody School—a vocational and technical high school connected to the main building and included in the renovation project—will also begin classes on September 9 at the Willet School, serving its 203 enrolled students. According to Peabody School Director William P. Maher, administrative letters will notify students that parts of the vocational facility may become ready between September 16 and 23, with students temporarily distributed among Willet School, Norwood Junior High in South Norwood, and Junior High North.
Budgetary Impact
School Business Administrator Stephen R. Hemman estimated that the temporary four-month relocation to Junior High North will cost the town roughly $80,000, though he cautioned that the final price tag remains fluid. While a portion of the expenses will be drawn from the school department’s $13.7 million budget, remaining costs will require funding through a special town meeting or emergency fund transfers.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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