Discuss Adding Fire Alarms To Schools at School Committee Meeting-This Day in Norwood History-June 12, 1937

Question Of Purchase Of Text Books Is Now Settled

The Norwood School Committee confronted a wide range of issues at its meeting last night, from fire‑safety upgrades to transportation contracts, staffing changes, and the long‑debated question of textbook purchasing policies. What began as a routine session quickly expanded into a detailed review of the town’s educational needs and the challenges facing the district in the post‑war years.

Fire Alarm Installation: A Growing Concern

Committee member L. D. Lynch reported on a recent conference involving Town Manager William Kendrick, Fire Chief Alonzo Earl, Municipal Light Department Superintendent C. O. Church, and the Superintendent of Schools. Their discussion centered on the long‑delayed installation of fire alarm systems in all school buildings.

The estimated cost for installing master boxes and remote‑control stations across the district was $2,881.71. An additional $2,283 would be required to establish a single alarm circuit linking all schools. Advocates of the single‑circuit system argued that it would allow for a “still alarm” in the event of a school fire — a quieter, direct alert to the fire department rather than the town’s public whistle.

However, the committee noted a major drawback: the still‑alarm system would be effective only if the fire department were staffed with a permanent force large enough to respond immediately to a school emergency. Meanwhile, the current system — which triggered the town fire whistle — often caused unnecessary panic among parents, who recognized the signal and feared the worst.

Given the urgency of improving safety at the Senior High School, the committee referred the entire matter to the sub‑committee on finance for further study.

Staffing Changes: Goldsmith Appointed

The committee formally appointed Miss Gretchen Goldsmith of 26 Cypress Street to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Miss Maude Woods. Goldsmith had been serving as a substitute in the position since December and was praised for her steady work and familiarity with the role.

Transportation Contracts: A New Era Ahead

For fourteen years, Bertram Sparrow had been responsible for transporting Norwood’s schoolchildren. With his recent retirement to take a position with the local fire department, the district now faced the task of securing a new transportation provider. Unlike previous years, when bids were solicited in August, the committee planned to advertise immediately in local newspapers to ensure a smooth transition before fall.

Peabody School Question: Vocational or Applied Arts?

The Superintendent reported ongoing discussions with both the State Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Education regarding the future of the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls, established under the terms of Peabody’s will. A central question remained unresolved:

Should the school be:

• a vocational institution training girls for industrial employment, or
• a school of applied arts and crafts, preparing students for advanced study in the arts and sciences?

The Superintendent requested that state and federal officials submit formal recommendations to help the committee determine the most appropriate educational model.

Textbook Purchasing Debate Finally Resolved

One of the evening’s most contentious issues — whether the school department should refuse to purchase textbooks from publishers classified as “non‑union” or “unfair” — was finally settled.

After reviewing the Superintendent’s report, Mr. Dennis O’Leary introduced a motion reaffirming the district’s long‑standing practice: whenever possible and practical, Norwood would purchase textbooks from publishers operating under “union” or “fair” conditions. Mr. Edward Thompson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

A second motion, offered by Mr. Thomas A. Kerr and seconded by Mr. John Connolly, addressed future textbook adoptions. If a publisher was not clearly classified as “fair” or “unfair,” the matter would be referred to the sub‑committee on textbooks for investigation. This motion also carried without dissent.

Rebinding Issue Deferred

The committee postponed action on the question of rebinding worn textbooks. Although one member recommended a union shop, the Boston School Committee’s business manager had recently found that shop’s work unsatisfactory. Instead, Alexander Sullivan of the Boston Committee had endorsed the non‑union F. J. Barnard Co., which had handled Norwood’s rebinding needs for several years with reliable results.

The committee agreed to revisit the issue at a later date.

Source: Norwood Messenger

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