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had previously reported to the school committee that the matter was successfully resolved and the formal grievance withdrawn, Mr.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
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Norwood High School to Drop Latin Program Due to Dwindling Enrollment-September 27, 1990
Citing dwindling enrollment and a lack of cost-effectiveness, Norwood High School officials announce that Latin courses will be eliminated from the curriculum after June.
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Joseph Katchpole Succeeds George Usevich as Vice Principal of Norwood High School-August 23, 1990
Health and physical education department head Joseph Katchpole has been named acting vice principal of Norwood High School, succeeding George Usevich in the school administration.
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Norwood to Sue Blue Hills School to Block Budget-July 19, 1990
The town of Norwood was on a collision course with the Blue Hills Regional Technical School in July 1990, as officials prepared to file a lawsuit to block the school’s revised budget for the upcoming academic year. The dispute had been brewing for several weeks, ever since the four district towns – Norwood, Holbrook, Dedham,…
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Oldham School Portable Classroom Nears Completion-October 12, 1989
Norwood’s Oldham School prepares to open a long-awaited portable classroom by month’s end, and veteran teacher Thomas MacDonough recounts his educational fellowship in West Germany.
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Newcomers Learn to Take Middle School in Their Stride-September 7, 1989
Transitioning from elementary school to middle school can be an intimidating milestone for any young student, but as classes officially got underway this week, Norwood’s newest middle schoolers quickly learned to take the change in stride. Navigating larger hallways, adjusting to rotating class schedules, and meeting new teachers mark a major rite of passage for…
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Norwood Elementary Schools Face Severe Overcrowding as Cleveland Teacher Works Out of Storage Closet-October 27, 1987
Profiled by The Patriot Ledger, Cleveland Elementary computer teacher Barbara Lanzoni works out of a storage closet while Norwood elementary schools grapple with rising enrollment and space shortages.
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First Day of School Brings Excitement and New Beginnings for Norwood’s Class of 1999-September 10, 1987
Norwood students return to class for the 1987-88 school year, marking the first day of school for the Balch Elementary first-graders who make up the graduating class of 1999.
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Balch and Norwood High Welcome Students on the First Day of School for the Class of 1999-September 10, 1987
Balch Elementary and Norwood High welcome students back for the 1987-88 academic year, marking the first day of school for the graduating Class of 1999.
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Norwood High Teachers to Implement Uniform Curriculum Guides Starting Next Week-September 3, 1987
When classes resume next week, high school teachers across Norwood will officially be “going by the book.” Superintendent of Schools James Savage informed the school committee that faculty members teaching every course—from woodshop to algebra—will be required to follow newly established, standardized curriculum guides authored by Norwood educators. Closing the Gap in District Education The…
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$16,600 Grant Equips New Norwood High School Cable Television Studio-August 18, 1987
Norwood Community Television awarded a $16,600 grant to equip a new student-run television studio at Norwood High School, expanding local cable programming and production training.
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