On July 6, 1978, a group of 36 concerned Norwood taxpayers took legal action in Norfolk Superior Court to challenge significant budget reductions passed during the previous month’s Town Meeting.
The plaintiffs sought to restore over $600,000 to the $11.3 million school budget, arguing that the cuts—which included the elimination of approximately 28 teacher positions totaling $375,000—were intended to force the closure of an elementary school by September.
The lawsuit was financed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, according to Norwood Teachers Association President Richard King, and included five plaintiffs who were themselves teachers. However, the majority of the group consisted of parents who feared the consequences of a sudden school closing. Lawrence Decareau, a teacher at Junior High South and a father of four, voiced the concerns of many, stating, “My number one concern is that they (the town meeting) are way too late. Sooner or later a school will have to be closed. But you don’t decide in June or July that you want to close a school in September.” Gloria Lind, another parent plaintiff, added, “Before they close a school, I want to know where my children are going to be sent.”
While the School Committee had officially taken a stance against closing any schools that year, it remained divided on whether to formally support the taxpayer lawsuit. Despite this hesitation, King confirmed that the legal action would proceed regardless of the committee’s position. Many of the plaintiffs, such as Albert and Helen Hall, described themselves as “concerned taxpayers” without children in the school system who simply felt the timing of the cuts was improper. As plaintiff Gerald Sullivan asked, “After all, they could cut other places. Why is it always the schools?” The lawsuit highlighted the deepening tension between fiscal conservatives pushing for immediate consolidation and residents who felt the town’s planning processes were inadequate for such a dramatic shift in local education infrastructure.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Rejects Rockland Offer of Part Payment-July 16, 1985
The summer of 1985 was a time of great economic uncertainty in Massachusetts, with the state facing significant budget deficits and high unemployment rates. However, amidst this backdrop of fiscal woes, the town of Norwood found itself embroiled in a dispute with its neighboring municipality, Rockland, over tuition fees for vocational school students. The issue…
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Norwood High School Implements Total Smoking Ban-July 3, 1985
In July 1985, the Norwood School Committee unanimously approved a total smoking ban at Norwood High School to begin in September, prioritizing the health of its students.
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Recess is a Popular Subject Among Crop of First Graders-September 6, 1984
First-grader Amy Frigulietti sat at her desk yesterday, reaching inside to rearrange her freshly sharpened pencils, pens, and a notebook featuring a picture of Michael Jackson on the cover. Like many of her peers across Norwood, 6-year-old Amy was eager for the new term in teacher Sandy Barner‘s class at Prescott Elementary School, though she…
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Norwood Kindergarten Bus Routes Announced for Fall Term-September 9, 1983
School officials have officially released the comprehensive morning and afternoon bus route schedules for Norwood kindergarten students, with classes set to begin on Monday. Schedule and School-Specific Route Details The morning kindergarten session commences at 8:40 a.m. (with first pickups beginning at 8:20 a.m. and dismissal at 11:15 a.m.), while the afternoon session begins at…
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Rain-Damaged Cleveland and Prescott Schools Expected to Be Repaired by September-August 17, 1983
Unexpected rainstorms caused roof leaks at the Cleveland and Prescott schools during active construction, though officials expect full contractor-funded repairs before the September opening.
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School Officials Seek $62,700 from Town Meeting to Fund Classroom Computers-September 10, 1982
School officials plan to ask town meeting for $62,700 to purchase 16 computers for elementary, junior high, and high schools to introduce students to computer technology.
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Selectmen Target $82,500 for Gymnasium Repairs While Uncovering Wider $750,000 School Roof Crisis-September 9, 1982
Facing extensive water damage at Norwood High School, selectmen tentatively agreed to recommend an $82,500 appropriation at the September 20 special town meeting—while a broader engineering survey revealed an estimated $750,000 in necessary roof repairs across the school district. Gym Floor Damage and Architectural Estimates An August 9 rainstorm caused severe rainwater leakage from a…
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John Poce Appointed Acting Principal of Junior High School North-September 9, 1982
Junior High School North vice-principal John Poce is unanimously appointed acting principal by the school committee following James R. Savage’s promotion to superintendent.
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Norwood Public School Students Score Strongly on State Basic-Skills Exams-September 2, 1982
Students across Norwood public schools have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, scoring remarkably well on state-mandated basic-skills tests for the second consecutive year. Released recently following examinations administered last spring, the district data reveals that only a very small handful of students across grades three, five, and eight failed to achieve minimum passing standards in reading,…
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School Long-Range Planning Panel to Deliver Progress Report-August 24, 1982
Facing declining enrollments, Norwood’s school planning panel will deliver a progress report in October and final recommendations on grade configurations and potential school closures in January.
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