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had previously reported to the school committee that the matter was successfully resolved and the formal grievance withdrawn, Mr.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