The selection process for Norwood’s new Superintendent of Schools was a rigorous and meticulous one, involving the careful evaluation of twenty candidates who had submitted their resumes in hopes of securing the position. The Norwood School Committee, comprised of seven members, employed a point system to narrow down the field, rating each candidate on a 10-point basis in ten categories of experience, professional qualifications, and personal qualities.
The point system was designed to provide an objective and fair assessment of each candidate’s suitability for the role. Each member of the committee assigned a score to each candidate, with a maximum total score of 700 points possible. The six semifinalists who emerged from this process were William J. Birmingham of Arlington, Robert E. Terrill of East Hampton, Conn., Norma M. Walker of Cumberland, R.I., James R. Savage, principal of Junior High School North in Norwood, Vernon R. Wyland of Penfield, N.Y., and Armand A. Fusco of Enfield, Conn.
The semifinalists’ scores were as follows: William J. Birmingham with 636 points, Robert E. Terrill with 622 points, Norma M. Walker with 592 points, James R. Savage with 584 points, Vernon R. Wyland with 574 points, and Armand A. Fusco with 578 points. The committee tentatively scheduled interviews for the six semifinalists on August 3, 4, and 5, with two interviews planned each night at the Willett School administration building.
Chairman Joseph M. Pentowski stated that the top two candidates should be selected from among the six semifinalists by the second or third week in August, with a new superintendent chosen possibly by early September. The job’s salary range was $40,000 to $45,000, and Superintendent Louis J. Taris would continue to head the schools on a month-to-month basis until his successor was chosen.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Letter To The Editor About School Board Nominee Cornelius Callahan-This Day In Norwood History-February 25, 1904
To the Editor of the Norwood Advertiser. Mr. Editor: I desire to call the attention of the voters of Norwood, to a few facts concerning C. M. Callahan, Esq., nominee for the school board. Mr. Callahan is a native of the town, a product of our public schools, and an energetic, and ambitious young man.…
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Norwood Father Sues Town for $15,000 Because Proper Conveyance is Not Provided to School-This Day In Norwood History-November 22, 1895
WANTS HIS CHILDREN CARRIED. NORWOOD, Nov 22—This town is all in a ferment again over the so-called Gillin case. Away back in 1889 Rev George Hill, who was then chairman of the school board of Norwood, authorized Mr. James J. Gillon, who resides near the Dedham borderline and three miles from the nearest normal school…
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John Gillin Wants Children Carried to School-This Day In Norwood History-January 8, 1895
Their Father Now Wants Damages Because Their Conveyance is Not Suitable. NORWOOD, Jan 8— Three suits, aggregating $15,000, have been brought by Mr. John Gillin, who resides in the Ellis district, against the town. Each suit is for $5000 and is brought as guardian for his three minor children for alleged damages, caused by the…
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Should Norwood Hire a School Superintendent?-This Day in Norwood History-June 7, 1890
June 8, 1890- The question of hiring a superintendent was raised at a lively town meeting. The following March, town meeting, empowered Mr. Maurice J. O’Brien , principal of the Everett School, to act in the capacity of Norwood’s first superintendent of schools.
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Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-March 6, 1872
NORWOOD THE VICINITY OF BOSTON. The New Town or Norwood. The inhabitants of this new town, which formerly has been known as South Dedham, last evening celebrated the formal incorporation of the town; Messrs. George Winslow, Isaac Colburn, J. Edward Everett, Elijah Wheeloek, George H. Morrill, George B. Talbot, J. Metcalf Baker, J. Warren Talbot,…
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