Superintendent Philip O. Coakley Reacts to NTA Grievance Statement Regarding Cleveland School Postings-November 15, 1973

School Superintendent Objects to Public Characterization of Contract Settlement Concerning Unposted Faculty Vacancies

NORWOOD – Tensions surfaced between the school administration and teachers’ representatives following a recent grievance settlement issued by David Reagon, chairman of the professional rights and responsibilities committee of the Norwood Teachers Association (NTA). Reacting during a school committee meeting on Tuesday night, November 13, 1973, Superintendent Philip O. Coakley expressed sharp anger over public statements made regarding the resolution of the dispute, stating bluntly, “I resent this.”

The underlying controversy centered on three faculty vacancies at the Cleveland School during the previous summer, which had been advertised through postal mailings rather than being formally posted within school buildings as required by union agreements. While Dr. Coakley had previously reported to the school committee that the matter was successfully resolved and the formal grievance withdrawn, Mr. Reagon subsequently told newspapers that “The administration admitted it had not followed the contract correctly and agreed to do so, to the letter, in the future.” Disputing Reagon’s public framing, Dr. Coakley asserted that the NTA representative had reported improperly to the press.

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

“Middle School” Configuration Proposed to Address School Overcrowding-November 4, 1965

Norwood School Committee member William Egan proposed establishing a sixth-grade “middle school” and a 2,000-pupil high school to address surging enrollment pressures.
Retired Norwood Junior High Vice-Principal Mildred I. O’Donnell Honored at Testimonial Dinner-October 30, 1965

Celebrating a 47-year teaching career, retired Norwood Junior High vice-principal and dean of girls Mildred I. O’Donnell was honored during a testimonial dinner at the King Philip in Wrentham.
Superintendent Coakley Tells PTA Council That $4 Million in New School Construction Is Mandatory-September 10, 1965

Dr. Philip O. Coakley tells the PTA Council that $4 million in new school construction—including a new elementary and junior high—is mandatory to handle over-capacity enrollment.
Norwood School Committee Reviews Summer School Program and Proposes Token Fees-September 3, 1965

Following the successful completion of Norwood’s first town-sponsored summer school program—which enrolled approximately 330 local students in remedial coursework—the Norwood School Committee is evaluating future administrative structures, including a proposal to institute a nominal student fee. Superintendent Philip O. Coakley presented a comprehensive report detailing the inaugural summer session, noting that progress reports for every…
School Wiring Hazard Suspected at Norwood Junior High-September 3, 1965

Expressing deep concern over aging infrastructure, the Norwood School Committee has called for an immediate investigation into potential electrical wiring hazards at the Norwood Junior High School to determine whether emergency repairs are urgently required. The inquiry was initiated after Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley delivered an alarming report on the condition of the…
Norwood Tennis Courts Recreation-July 10, 1965

On July 10, 1965, Norwood officials were actively working to resolve the placement of a proposed six-court tennis facility at the Prescott School. Recreation Superintendent Richard Ready noted that while the specific site remained undecided, he and other town officials were in the process of analyzing a location proposed by the Norwood School Committee. ⠀…
Balch School $300,000 Addition Outlines Three Formal State Approval Steps-November 7, 1964

Building Committee Chairman Alec Abdallah detailed the three formal state and municipal steps required to advance the $300,000 Balch School addition, which will add three classrooms, an auditorium, and a cafeteria.
Town Meeting Approves Balch and Cleveland School Additions-October 23, 1964

Norwood voters overwhelmingly approved additions for the Balch and Cleveland schools during a town meeting session that also addressed Morrill Memorial Library plans and Plimpton Press electrical upgrades.
Norwood Renews Search For High School Principal-June 25, 1964

Officials plan to evaluate past candidates and request recommendations from Boston area colleges while Vice Principal John Mombouquette prepares for interim leadership.
Shattuck School Celebrates Diamond Jubilee Marking 60 Years of Education in Norwood-November 15, 1963

Norwood officials, alumni, and descendants celebrated the 60th anniversary of the historic Shattuck School, originally opened on October 7, 1903.