The Norwood School Department has received formal approval to relocate its central administrative offices to the former Winslow School, which has been vacant since closing the previous year. The school committee voted unanimously in favor of the move, which Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley estimates could take place as early as December.
To prepare the 68-year-old schoolhouse for its new administrative function, the committee voted to gather detailed cost estimates for necessary building improvements. Dr. Coakley noted that required upgrades—including new heating and ventilation systems, vandalism alarms, and interior alterations—can be accommodated within the current school department budget.
Property Transfer and Past Debates
Under the relocation plan, the existing school administration building on Walpole Street will be turned over to the general town government. This mirrors the transition of the former Shattuck School, which also closed in 1974 and was subsequently repurposed to house municipal offices, including headquarters for the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program.
Mindful of past controversies, school committee member Richard W. Kief urged the board to formally affirm its intention regarding the future status of the building. “I don’t want to see a fiasco like we had with the Shattuck,” Kief remarked. The closure of Winslow School had been the focal point of heated debate at a special town meeting the prior year, when a coalition led by school committee member Joseph M. Pentowski unsuccessfully fought to retain the facility for vocational education. The school committee is scheduled to meet with the Board of Selectmen soon to finalize the transition plans.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Enrollment Hike Forces Split Classes in Norwood Public Schools-September 5, 1963
Norwood public schools experience an enrollment spike of 416 students, prompting split classes at Cleveland and Callahan schools and sparking a debate over elementary cafeteria capacity.
-
Eleventh-Hour Decision on Oldham School Registration-September 3, 1963
NORWOOD — An eleventh-hour session of the Oldham School Building Committee is being held tonight to make the decisive call on whether the newly constructed school will officially open its doors for student registration tomorrow morning. Final Scramble and Boiler Inspections Workmen labored through the weekend, including a full day on Saturday, trying to wrap…
-
Oldham School Opening Set for Wednesday, New Teacher Appointments-August 30, 1963
As Norwood prepares for the new academic year, the School Committee has announced plans to open the newly constructed John P. Oldham Elementary School next Wednesday, contingent upon final safety inspections of its heating and ventilating systems. While municipal electric light department crews rushed to finish electrical work and boilers were fired for the first…
-
Bios of New Norwood Public School Teachers-August 29, 1963
As the Norwood public school system prepares for the upcoming academic year, officials announced the appointment of 56 new teachers. Biographical profiles for the first 28 incoming educators highlight their educational backgrounds and assignments: High School Appointments Elementary, Junior High, and Special Services Appointments Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest…
-
Superintendent Coakley Announces Upcoming Student Registration, New Teacher Orientation, and Summer Maintenance Progress-August 22, 1963
Norwood schools set registration dates and orientation schedules while summer maintenance projects wrap up across local buildings ahead of the September 4 opening.
-
Eight-Room Addition to Cleveland School Recommended Over New Construction-August 16, 1963
Voting 3 to 2, the Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School over building a new facility, setting a joint meeting with Superintendent Philip O. Coakley.
-
School Building Committee Votes to Recommend Addition to Cleveland School-August 16, 1963
By a 3-2 vote, Norwood’s Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School rather than constructing a new facility on Wilson Street.
-
Oldham School Building Committee Grapples with Defective Tile Work and Construction Delays-August 7, 1963
At a special meeting addressing 22 construction issues, the Oldham School Building Committee and architect George H. Stoner rejected 1,100 square feet of improperly installed exterior tile.⠀
-
Norwood Junior High Aerial View-October 9, 1957
Norwood Junior High Aerial View-This Day In Norwood History-October 9, 1957
-
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.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.