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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New Play Area With Skating Rink For Senior High Grounds-This Day in Norwood History-January 12, 1950
Town meeting members will have an opportunity at the special town meeting in the spring to take action on a new play area at the Senior High School, which among other things would provide facilities for a skating rink, according to a plan suggested by School Superintendent Lincoln D. Lynch and which is looked on…
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Grade Schools To Be Closed During Storm Emergency-This Day In Norwood History-January 27, 1948
Ordered Shut Down Until Further Notice To Keep Pupils Off Streets The cancellation of school sessions for elementary grade students until further notice was ordered at the organization meeting of the School Committee, last night. The vote to close the elementary schools was the result of a motion by Committeeman John J. Cook, seconded by…
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Movement Underway Here For Public Kindergarten-November 7, 1946
Movement Underway Here For Public Kindergarten-This Day in Norwood History-November 7, 1946
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School Board Studies Hockey Rink For School, New Schools, Sets New Weather Policy-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1946
The Norwood School Committee institutes a firm new inclement weather academic policy, launches cost evaluations for a high school hockey rink, and updates educational equipment for the local schools.
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Plans for Emergency Veterans Housing on Bellevue Ave Move Ahead-This Day in Norwood History-February 15, 1946
Town Proceeds With Preparations For Project At Bellevue Ave. Site A representative of the Federal Public Housing Authority placed his approval on two sites for emergency housing for war veterans following an inspection tour of Norwood on Wednesday. The Number One choice of the Board of Selectmen is a tract of land on the westerly…
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Funeral Services For George Harding Smith, of Berwick & Smith, Norwood Press-This Day In Norwood History-December 12, 1941
Obituary for George Harding Smith (Aged 83) Funeral services for George Harding Smith, prominent Norwood businessman and town official until his retirement, who died Wednesday at the Framingham Hospital, will be held Sunday afternoon at the Unitarian Church. Medfield. He was the father of Mrs. Dorothy E. Gruening, wife of Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska.…
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Board Authorizes Borrowing For Peabody School-This Day in Norwood History-January 24, 1941
Joint Meeting Agrees To Go Forward With Project Construction of the Henry O. Peabody Trade School for Girls, to be in addition to the Norwood Senior High School, will soon be ready to go forward as it is reported that last Friday’s joint meeting of the selectmen, finance committee, school committee, and building committee for…
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Dr. Ralph Fogg Recounts First Graduation Of Norwood High School In 1873-This Day In Norwood History-July 13, 1934
FRIDAY, JULY 13 1934- THE NORWOOD MESSENGER By DR. RALPH METCALF FOGG What a wonderful high school we have in these days. I feel proud of the fact, that I am the father of the high school of Norwood, being the only male graduate of the first graduation, March 21, 1873. Not only that, but…
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Seeking More Funds For Norwood Memorial Building-This Day In Norwood History-June 14, 1927
NORWOOD, June 14-The largest turnout of the season Is expected at the special town meeting to be held tomorrow evening starting at 8 o’clock in Everett Hall to hear and act on the report of the Memorial Municipal Building committee and to appropriate sufficient additional amount of money so that the committee can go ahead…
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Frank 0. Winslow, Dead at 81-This Day In Norwood History-January 22, 1926
Founder of Leather Firm Ill Some Time Had Served in Many Town Offices and in Legislature NORWOOD, Jan 22— Francis O. Winslow, 81, one of the founders of the leather firm of Winslow Brothers and the first president of the Norwood Cooperative Bank, died this morning at the Corey Hill Hospital in Brookline, where he…
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