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 fees. Because these groups—primarily charitable or non-profit entities such as the Boy Scouts—are granted free access, the school department is forced to absorb all utility and custodial overtime expenses. Furthermore, Taris noted that even when rental fees are collected from fee-paying organizations, the revenue is deposited directly into the town’s general reserve account rather than offsetting the operational costs incurred by the schools.

Proposed Policy Adjustments and Committee Response

Taris is currently conducting a comprehensive cost analysis of after-hours facility usage. He indicated he may soon recommend expanding the roster of groups required to pay rent and substantially increasing existing rental fees. Pending the completion of his study, Taris formally asked the school committee to implement an immediate moratorium prohibiting any new outside groups from gaining facility access. While emphasizing that he has no desire to shut out legitimate community and civic organizations, Taris stressed that the school department can no longer afford to “swallow the costs.” He also advocated for restructuring fee collection into a dedicated “revolving account,” which would directly cover custodial overtime expenses rather than flowing into the town reserve fund.

The school committee declined to enact an immediate ban on new groups until Superintendent Taris completes his formal financial assessment. Committee member Rudith Berkowitz voiced opposition to a blanket freeze, arguing that it would be inequitable to permit established organizations to continue using the facilities while arbitrarily locking out new applicants.

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

School Committee Approves Shortened High School Day Format-July 16, 1975

The school committee of Norwood last night all but formally approved a switch to a shorter, eight-period day for the high school. The decision was made in response to a request from absent member Richard Joseph, who asked that the board defer its official vote on the plan until its next regular meeting in two…
Quality is The Main Ingredient: Inside the Henry O. Peabody School Culinary Arts Program-October 7, 1974

An inside look at the Henry O. Peabody School culinary arts program under instructor Richard J. Camire, featuring affordable student-cooked meals and a popular public bakery.
Willett School Overcrowding And Parent Protests-September 5, 1974

Angry parents confront the Norwood School Committee over severe overcrowding at the Willett School, while officials address elementary enrollment spikes and pedestrian safety.
Youth Enriched at Summer School-August 13, 1974

Directing over 600 local students, Norwood’s public summer school program completed its 30-day session, highlighting strong popularity for enrichment classes in arts and trades alongside vital remedial and special education tutoring.
Norwood School Committee Votes to Relocate School Administration Offices-August 1, 1974

The Norwood School Committee voted 5-2 to relocate central school administration offices to the Winslow School, pending cost estimates from Superintendent Philip O. Coakley.
Uncertainty Looms Over Norwood Junior High South Opening Date-July 12, 1974

After three years of double sessions following a 1971 fire, Norwood officials faced the possibility of further delays for the new Junior High South.
Unfinished Junior High To Open On Schedule-July 8, 1974

Discover the construction history of the $4.5 million Junior High South project in 1974, detailing the challenges faced during the transition from the old Washington Street school.
School Board Rejects ‘Floating Principal’ Proposal-July 03, 1974

The Norwood School Committee held a contentious session on the evening of July 2, 1974, where, following two weeks of deliberation and a lengthy 90-minute executive session, the board voted 5-1 to reject a proposal to create a new administrative position titled “floating principal.“ The concept, initially championed by Committee Member Joseph M. Pentowski, was…
School Drop-In Centers Possible In Fall-June 24, 1974

Citing summer custodial constraints and a lack of air conditioning, town officials vote to survey local youths during the summer to prepare for a fall launch.
School Committee Unanimously Approves Period of Silent Meditation Following State Legislative Act-October 25, 1973

Acting on a new state law permitting voluntary reflection, the Norwood School Committee unanimously approved a daily period of silent meditation for local students and teachers.