Willett School PTA Launches Petition Drive to Fight Potential School Closure-October 11, 1977

Facing dwindling student numbers and mounting town pressure to shutter a local facility, the Willett School PTA is launching an aggressive petition drive in a preemptive campaign to keep the school doors open.

Built in 1968 with a designed capacity of at least 400 pupils, the Willett School currently houses 291 students, giving it the lowest enrollment among Norwood’s seven elementary schools.

PTA President Joseph Albinger confirmed that the petition drive is underway, though he declined to specify whether the signed petitions would ultimately be presented directly to the School Committee. “We are keeping all avenues open with the school committee and will be following the work closely in regard to a school closing,” Albinger stated.

School Committee Stance and Timeline

School Committee Chairman Richard W. Kief poured cold water on immediate closure rumors, stating that no decision will be reached for many months—if indeed any school is closed at all.

“On November 9, the school administration will report to the committee on whether it is feasible to even consider closing a school,” Kief explained, adding that transitioning to a closure would take roughly a year. Should a school ultimately be shuttered, Kief noted that the committee would likely target a closure date of September 1978.

Regarding why the Willett might be targeted, Kief cautioned that being the smallest school does not automatically make it the chopping block. “We have to look at the entire picture, including class sizes in all the schools and how the students are distributed geographically,” he said.

Nevertheless, intense pressure is mounting from town officials and residents to cut back facilities. Total town enrollment dropped by 399 students compared to the previous year, and the cumulative decline over the past four years exceeds 1,100 students. Some municipal officials have even speculated that dropping numbers could necessitate closing two schools.

Cultural Enrichment Program and Community Viability

While Albinger maintained that the PTA’s actions were separate from its recent endorsement of an after-school creative arts program at the Willett, observers note the initiative effectively highlights the building’s active community role.

Proposed by local parent Joan Kimball, the tuition-based enrichment program in creative arts would be held after school hours. Kimball, who volunteered to serve as program coordinator, stated she was unaware of rumors surrounding the school’s future when she first brought the idea to the PTA.

“My interest is not to make the Willett look indispensable, but it’s just an efficient use of the school building,” Kimball said.

Albinger added, “At the time the program was proposed, that was not our reason for supporting it, but I can see where that might develop naturally.” Before granting final approval, the School Committee is currently awaiting legal advice from Town Counsel Justin S. Barton regarding potential liability issues should a child be injured during the after-school activities.

School committee member Rudith Berkowitz emphasized that the board has not yet formally discussed closing any school, echoing Kief’s view that the process will take time. “I just hope parents keep in mind that the committee does not make such a decision lightly. It is a very heavy responsibility,” she said.

The Civic Center Connection

A major driving force behind the public speculation over school closures is the ongoing search for a site to house a new Civic Center, with several town officials suggesting that vacant school properties would make ideal recreation facilities. Consequently, the recreation study committee has temporarily postponed its search for a civic center location until the School Committee reaches a definitive decision on school closings—though it appears the recreation committee may have a long wait ahead.

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