Uncertainty Looms Over Norwood Junior High South Opening Date-July 12, 1974

The proposed September opening of the new Junior High South in Norwood faced significant hurdles on the evening of July 11, 1974, as the building committee struggled to determine whether the facility would be ready for students by the start of the school year. The project, which aimed to end three years of double sessions for junior high pupils—who had been forced to attend the North School following the destruction of the old Junior High South by fire in January 1971—remained stalled by last-minute construction delays. Building Committee Chairman John J. Egan noted that the situation had devolved into a “guessing game,” with the committee weighing the possibilities of a delayed opening, continued double sessions, or partial occupancy of the $4.5 million facility.

According to Superintendent Theodore J. Beaudet, the primary obstacles involved the heating control and electrical systems. While Beaudet expressed optimism that the school could be occupied by the start of the term even if sections like the cafeteria and industrial arts area remained unfinished, he emphasized that completion was contingent upon the delivery of essential materials within the next two weeks. Architect James McGrath reported frustrations in coordinating with the Canton-based subcontractor responsible for the heating units, noting that previous assurances of delivery had been thwarted by the absence of key personnel. “We have no hold on them at all,” McGrath stated, highlighting the lack of control the committee had over the supply chain.

In response to the mounting pressure, the building committee took several corrective actions. They mandated that the construction superintendent be reassigned to the project on a full-time basis, reversing a previous decision to reduce his status to part-time. Furthermore, committee member Richard W. Kief successfully moved to have the architects and the general contractor, Rocheford Construction Co., immediately visit the Canton subcontractor to expedite the delivery of parts. The committee also requested that the architects consult with the state building inspector regarding the feasibility of obtaining a temporary occupancy permit, seeking to distinguish between “mandatory” requirements and flexible building standards.

As the committee scrambled to ensure the school’s opening, secondary issues regarding the site’s development emerged. Recreation Superintendent Robert H. Ivatts complained about the installation of a broken gate near the Hawes Pool area, which had reportedly been damaged by children. Additionally, committee member Ernest G. Paciorkowski raised concerns about the state of the landscaping, noting that ball fields at the rear of the property remained bare and had not been properly seeded. With the opening date fast approaching, the committee remained under intense pressure to navigate these complex logistical snags and fulfill the promise of a functional junior high facility for the town’s students.

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