USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 5
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Peabody School
1942
AREA OF PRESENT SCHOOL SITES and SITES OF LAND BOUGHT FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
Balch
3 acres plus 11,804 sq. ft.
Callahan 10 acres plus 36,229 sq. ft.
Junior High
4 acres plus 13,807 sq. ft.
Senior High
13 acres plus 35,024 sq. ft.
Shattuck
3 acres plus 15,881 sq. ft.
West
21,268 sq. ft.
Winslow
4 acres plus 7,817 sq. ft.
Prescott Road Land
9 acres plus 14,617 sq. ft.
Pleasant Street Land
12.4 acres
53
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
BIRTHS TO NORWOOD RESIDENTS
Year
No.
Year
No.
1921
349
1937
246
1922
314
1938
228
1923
317
1939
242
1924
302
1940
228
1925
300
1941
250
1926
355
1942
318
1927
317
1943
207
1928
312
1944
243
1929
269
1945
255
1930
295
1946
338
1931
267
1947
370
1932
276
1948
374
1933
226
1949
331
1934
263
1950
312
1935
240
1951
429
1936
251
1952
504
POPULATION
1920
12,627
1925
14,151
1930
15,049
1935
15,574
1940
15,383
1945
16,508
1950
16,636
54
TOWN OF NORWOOD
ENROLLMENTS NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
SCHOOL
1928 1929 1930
1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940
Belch
680
649
618
575
562
527
502
474
438
446
422
396
370
Callahan
-
-
272
254
283
275
270
289
260
234
222
201
208
Shattuck
204
205
226
215
254
250
261
254
255
246
239
230
222
Winslow
294
291
274
251
265
250
247
219
222
253
249
234
235
West
56
54
58
63
72
64
61
63
56
49
40
47
45
Beacon
163
168
132
112
( closed 1932)
Guild
386
297
(Fire - May 1929)
East
51
48
(closed)
Jr.H.S. Elom.
1834 1712 1580 1470 1436 1366 1341 1299 1231 1228 1172 1108 1080
Junior High
886
930
997
939
907
836
781
721
693
700
680
674
658
Senior High
493
513
584
690
747
765
687
718
686
669
693
702
708
Vocational
(opened in 1942) -
-
Pub. Sch.Tot. 3213 3155 3161 3099 3090 2967 2809 2738 2610 2597 2545 2484 2446
St.Cath.Elem. 219 296 374
456
468
479
462
465
476
475
479
474
455
JHS
-
-
78
160
231
233
238
237
239
237
228
St. Cath.Tot.
219
296
374
456
546
639
693
698
714
712
718
711
683
55
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
ST. CATHERINE'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, 1928 - 1952
1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1351 1952
SCHOOL
317
315
269
259
241
249
263
325
340
345
460
500
Balch
219
212
219
209
217
216
204
261
240
273
355
438
Callahan
219
227
223
228
233
217
229
286
273
254
288
292
Shattuck
222
200
199
189
222
205
185
236
244
261
272
286
Winslow
53
51
56
54
49
50
46
51
47
41
55
55
West
Beacon
Guild
East
Jr.H.S. Elem.
1030 1005
966
939
962
937
932 1159 1144 1196 1430 1713
581
571
553
540
507
473
458
437
410
415
457
549
Junior High
700
580
534
192
490
514
527
522
514
492
514
507
Senior High
-
67
96
109
130
138
123
115
107
108
103
121
Vocational
2311 2223 2149 2080 2089 2062 2040 2233 2175 2211 2504 2890
Pub. Sch.Tot.
447
440
454
458
474
477
491
500
516
519
533
622
St.Cath.Elem.
224
219
227
229
237
238
246
250
258
259
267
7.66
" JHS
671
659
681
687
711
715
737
750
774
778
800
788
St.Cath.Tot.
22
-
142
56
TOWN OF NORWOOD
500
Actual
Estimated
:
Births to Norwood
450
Residents
400
350
300
250
-
200
1
1930
1935
1940
1945
19:50
1955
1900
1965
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
57
Total Births in the United States
Millions
Actual Estimated
4.0 3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
58
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Total Norwood Population
down Officials
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
59
NUMBER OF BUILDING PERMITS
1951
No. of Permits No. Duplex Total
Yearly Total
January
4
4
February
12
12
March
25
25
April
48
48
May
55
55
June
45
45
July
15
15
August
12
12
September
16
16
October
24
24
November
7
7
December
9
9
272
1952
January
10
10
February
12
12
March
23
23
April
17
17
May
49
25
74
June
12
12
July
20
5
25
August
18
2
20
September
20
20
October
16
16
November
28
28
December
20
8
28
285
1953
January
6
6
February
6
6
March
24
1
25
April
8
8
May
19
19
* June
10
10
* June 1-19 only.
No. of Permits
1945
3
1946
39
1947
60
1948
82
1949
176
1950
429
Year
60
TOWN OF NORWOOD
BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
1015 1916 134/ 19- 19 49 1950 199: 1932
FMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAH 1951 1953
1952
61
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
TABULATION OF 1952-1953 ENROLLMENT NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OPTIMUM CAPACITY, AND CURRENT AND POTENTIAL SEATING CAPACITY
No. of Rooms
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
Balch
17
405
405
528
615
Callahan
11
346
300
375
385
Shattuck
8
232
280
242
285
Winslow
8
231
280
268
323
West
2
55
60
60
70
46
1,269
1,325
1,493
1,678
CALLAHAN-Includes 1 First Grade in Basement. No other basement rooms counted in above figures.
BALCH-Non Classrooms A, B & D, Kindergarten Rooms E & F. All have capacity of 35 each giving potential increase of 175 to above total-making total elementary capacity of 1,783.
BALCH SCHOOL
Grade
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
6
Miss Sanford
26
27
35
35
6
Mrs. Curran
22
27
35
35
5
Mr. Duffy
31
27
36
35
5
Mrs. Paul
30
27
40
40
5
Mrs. Paige
26)13
)27
39
40
4
Mrs. Paige
)13
)
4
Miss Vance
27
27
32
35
4
Miss Lagarde
27
27
39
40
3
Miss Donovan
30
27
35
35
3
Miss Repani
30
27
35
35
2
Miss Flaherty
27
27
32
35
2
Miss Mitchell
24
27
31
35
2
Miss Ellis
26)12
)27
40
40
1
Miss Ellis
)14
)
1
Mrs. Bowler
28
27
34
35
1 Miss Dunn
26
27
31
35
1
Miss Kavanaugh
25
27
34
35
405
405
528
545
1
62
TOWN OF NORWOOD
CALLAHAN SCHOOL
Grade
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
6
Miss Barry
33
27.3
35
35
5
Mr. Fox
34
27.3
35
35
6
Miss Allen
27) 6
27.3
29
35 (Arm Chairs & Perm. Furn.)
5
Miss Allen
)21
4 Miss Talbot
33
27.3
35
35
4
Miss Toomey
28) 8
27.3
35
35
3
Miss Toomey
)20
3
Miss Sullivan
34
27.3
35
35
3
Miss McIntyre
26)12
27.3
35
35
2
Miss McIntyre
)14
2
Miss Bagley
. 34
27.3
37
35 (Arm Chairs)
1
Miss Nugent
33
27.3
34
35 (Chairs & Tables)
1
Miss Duffy
33
27.3
33
35
1
Mrs. Mann
31
27.3
32
35 (B's'm't)
346
300
375
385
WINSLOW SCHOOL
Grade
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
6
Mr. Lambert
34
35
42
42
5
Miss Fleming
28
35
42
42
5 Miss Trees
29
35
35
42
4
Miss Marsh
30
35
36
36
4
Miss Verderber
28)13
35
33
42
3
Miss Verderber
)15
3
Miss Kenefick
31
35
34
35
2
Miss Higgins
23
35
36
42
1
Miss Daley
28
35
30
42
231
280
288
323
63
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
SHATTUCK SCHOOL
Grade
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
6
Mr. Sweeney
31
35
33
35
5
Miss Hughes
34
35
35
40
4
Miss Webster
27
35
29
35
4
Miss Rogers
27)15
35
26
35
3
Miss Rogers
)12
3
Miss Nelson
27
35
32
35
2
Miss Stowe
27
35
29
35
2
Miss Connolly
27)13
35
26
35
1
Miss Connolly
)14
1 Miss Cooney
32
35
32
35
232
280
242
285
WEST SCHOOL
Grade
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
School Dept. Optimum
Actual Seats
Actual Capacity
2 Mrs. Costello
28
30
30
35
1
Miss Pithie
27
30
30
35
55
60
60
70
64
TOWN OF NORWOOD
KINDERGARTEN
SHATTUCK
1952-1953
Actual
Teacher
Enrollment
Location
Seats
Miss Walsh
60 )30 A.M.
Basement
25
)30 P.M.
Non-Classrooms
Room
Enrollment
Location
Seats
Lunch Room
0
Basement
15
WINSLOW
1952-1953
Actual
Teacher
Enrollment
Location
Seats
Mrs. Randig
55 )27 A.M.
Basement
27 seats,
)28 P.M.
5 tables
Non-Classrooms
Room
Enrollment
Location
Dim.
Parent-Teacher
0
Basement
28'x20' 4" Actual Capacity 50-60
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
1952-1953
Actual
Teacher
Enrollment
Location
Seats
Mrs. Paine
58 )28 A.M.
Basement
33
)30 P.M.
WALPOLE
WALPOLA
45 Acres
WIL
70 Acres
SUMNER ST.
PLEASANT ST.
HOCKHILL ST
65 Acres
14 Acro
HIGHVIEW
SHORT
ANDLAN
SUMNER ST
SWAMP
ENOMOTT
St
ONOd
135
BACYES
Acres
MOR
ST
ST JOSEPH AV.
IHOWTVI
33
NHOT
USTI
23 Acres
Acres
IN LINE
SWAMP
85
HY100
HELVILLE
LERWICK LE
LAY
NZIMALS
MARDINS
SAUNDERS
MICHLAND
LLIGT
BROOKFIELD
WALNUT
AVE
WY INTYM
OAK AD
ROSEN
RESS AV
WILLOW
CHICKER DW
PARK
18 WINTER
BOND
LINCOLN
CYPALS1
SYCAMCHE
LANE
ST
FLORENCE
AVE
LOXA
VERMON
AR HOLD
.
DAY
COTTAGE
GAY
15
PROSPECT
AV-
MOR
ALAMLATAM
AV
LYDON ST
ST
MORSE AVE
CASEY
ST
MYRTLE
GRANT A
IGARFIELD
Acres
MOOSEYELTIE
HAVE
Acres
20
Acres
NEPONSET :AT
STATE
HIGHWAY
AIRPORT
SWAMP
PURGATORY
6
took
500
OF
SCALE
THE
1500
ZOOO
DOWNER
WESTWOOD
CANTON
Town Engineer
AW Thompson
TOWN OF NORWOOD, MASS.
ST
AD
voor
AMEROH
GIVE
1000
MAP
ELLIS
WASHINGTON
January 1952
ANYINORLIS
UPLAND
190
VIAHATAN
VINHIELO
MORHOVD
LOWROLE
CLIVELAST
MOUNTAIN
CHESTNUT ST
17
---
PROSPECT
PINE ST
WATEROA
CATALPA
NAHATAN
AL
ACCESS
ROAD
CANTON
=======
SYL
Acres
MATH ST
FOURTH ST
THIRD ST
SECOND OT
CHIRST K
MONROE
STATE
MAIA
NORFOL
A6 Acres
FUL TOP
26
ROCK
PULMANT
Acres
WESTWOOD
WINTER ST.
MARION
ST
ANHPALLY
SWAMP
LAND
KALENDAR
NEPONER
19
SUMMIT A
HIGH ST
WEST " MOROEL" LOAD
SPRUCE
RD
Acres
FROM2
PLAYGROUND
LENOK
BROADWAY
WASHINGTON
LAN
/SCHOOL
FISHLANS FORD
3
RIER WOO
HICKORY
CHARLES
PHILLIPS
NICHOLS SY
STAND
WEST
RABOEL
CEMETERY
HIGHLAND
CEMETERY
TRAKKLIN
LENOX
CAST HOYLE
EYEBALL
SHATTA
WALTERS
+ Acres
Manufacturing
NYNH & HRR.
GODM.LY
CHARLES W
RIVER
LUIDT PAEL
CLOAR IT
JAVIM
RAWICK X
DLASANT
HIGHWAY
Manufacturing
15 Acres
HORKILLS
STATE
WALPOLE
NICHOLS
BISHER
TRARHOLDON
WASHINGTON
PLAYGROUND
SHARON
UNION ST.
Manufacturing
ALY NH &HER-
TAV CIAVO
1773
9
NEPONSET
SUNGET AL.
BOGERS
PLAN
18Acts
WALNUT
100 Acres
EMTVORY
ROCK
Acres
HAMATAN
NORTHPLAID
SWAMP
Acres
MAJOR UNDEVELOPED AREA SUITABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
CLAPBOARD
65
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
KINDERGARTEN (Cont.)
BALCH
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
Location
Actual Seats
Dimension
L Miss Juras
48 )25 A.M.
1st Floor
25 Chairs
22'7" x 28'11"
)23 P.M.
F Miss Gindelle
47 )22 A.M. )25 P.M.
1st Floor
23 Chairs
22'6'' x 29'
Non-Classrooms
Actual
Room
1952-53 Enrollment
Location
Seats
Dimension
A No. 4
0
1st Floor
46 (Chairs)
22'7'' x 28'2"
B Vacant
0
1st Floor
None
22'11 1/2''x28'71/2'
*C Remedial
0
2nd Floor
6 (Chairs)
14'10" x 24'5"
D Sp. Rm. No. 9 0
2nd Floor
7 Chairs &
22'7'' x 28'11"
*Good room for Kindergarten.
perm. desks
CALLAHAN
Location
Actual Seats
Dimension
Miss Sheehan
45 )24 A.M. )23 P.M.
Basement
36 (6 benches
22' x 30'
Miss Diggs
47 )24 A.M. )23 P.M.
Auditorium 28
Non-Classrooms
Room
1952-53 Enrollment
Location
Actual Seats
Sp. Room
0
Top Floor
?
Dimension 16'6" x 18'3"
Teacher
1952-53 Enrollment
1 Table, 16
66
TOWN OF NORWOOD
PROJECTION OF PRESENT SCHOOL POPULATION
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
Sanior High Grada 12
143
166
196
190
221
229
233
Grada 11
166
196
190
221
229
233
310
Grada 10
196
190
221
229
233
310
287
Boys Voc.
Gradas 10-12
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
Total
535
582
637
670
713
802
860
H. O. Paabody Post Grad.
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
Gradas 10-12
75#
75
75
75
75
75
75
Total
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
# Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Junior High Grada 9
215
246
254
258
335
312
326
Grada 8
163
83
171
83
169
89
233 102
206
96
226 100
212
91
Grade 7
171
83
169
89
233 102
206
96
226 100
212
91
307 144
Par. Total
166
172
191
198
196
191
235
Pub. Total
549
586
656
697
767
750
845
Pub. par. Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Pub. Par.
Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Elamantary Grada 6
169
89
233 102
206
96
226 100
212
91
307 144
300 140
Grada 5
233 102
206
96
226 100
212
91
307 144
300 140
300 140
Grada 4
206
96
226 100
212
91
307 144
300 140
300 140
300 140
Grada 3
226 100
212
91
307 144
300 140
300 140
300 140
320 140
Grade 2
212
91
307 144
300 140
300 140
300 140
320 140
340 140
Grada 1
307 144
300 140
300 140
300 140
320 140
340 140
316 140
Kindargartan
360
673
711
755
795
844
840
1713
1484
1551
1665
1739
1867
1876 -
-
-
-
-
** About ona-third from outsida Norwood.
* Yaars bayond solid lina ara projactad.
# "Pub" = Norwood Public Schools. "Par" = St. Catherina's Parochial School.
Par. Total Pub. Total
622
67
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
PROJECTION OF PRESENT SCHOOL POPULATION
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
Sanior High
Grada 12
310
287
301
278
426
415
415
Grada 11
287
301
278
426
415
415
415
Grade 10
301
278
426
.415
415
415
435
Boys Voc.
Gradas 10-12
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
Total
928
896
1035
1149
1286
1275
1295
H.O.Paabody Post Grad.
16
16
16
16
16
16
'16
Gradas 10-12
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
Total
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par. Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Junior High Grada 9
303
451
-
440 -
440 -
440
-
-
-
Grada 8
307 144
300 140
300 140
300 140
320 140
340 140
316 140
Grada 7
300 140
300 140
300 140
320 140
340 140
316 140
292 140
Par. Total
284
280
280
280
280
280
280
Pub. Total
910
1051
1040
1060
1100
1116
1088
Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Pub. Par. Pub. Par.
Pub. Par.
Elamantary Grada 6
300 140
300 140
320 140
340 140
316 140
292 140
292 140
Grada 5
300 140
320 140
340 140
316 140
292 140
292 140
293 140
Grada 4
320 140
320 140
316 140
292 140
292 140
293 140
294 140
Grade 3
340 140
316 140
292 140
292 140
293 140
294 140
295 140
Grade 2
316 140
292 140
292 140
293 140
294 140
295 140
296 140
Grada 1
292 140
292 140
293 140
294 140
295 140
296 140
295 140
Kindergarten
840
840
840
840
840
840
840
Par. Total Pub. Total
1868
1860
1853
1827
1782
17,62
1765
-
460
480
68
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Public Elementary School Population (not including Kindergarten)
2500
2000
1500
Actual
Estimated
500
1930
stot
966
0561
'SSO
40961
#96+
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
69
Junior High School Populations
.
2000
1500
Actuali
Estimated
-
1000
Public Junior High School
- 500
St. Catherine's Junior High School
1945-
1
UtSt
$$61
5961
055
70
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Senfor High School Population
1500
Actual
Estimated
1000
300
100
1925
1945
71
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Voted: That the Supplementary and Concluding Report of the Committee of Nine be accepted, and that the reports be printed in their entirety in the Town Report for the year 1954:
Supplementary and Concluding REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF NINE
To make a survey with reference to the need and location of additional school buildings.
At the Town Meeting of April 16, 1953 this committee reported in part as fol- lows:
"In connection with the desirability, advisability and necessity of acquiring additional sites for future school buildings, the Committee . . . has not had sufficient time ... to arrive at any decision in connection therewith."
At the Town Meeting of April 16, 1953 it was on voice vote declared unani- mously
Voted: That the Committee appointed under ARTICLE 7 of the Warrant for the special town meeting held January 29, 1953 in connection with a survey as to the need and location of additional school buildings be authorized to continue its study and report to a later town meeting.
Since April 16, 1953, your Committee has held 15 meetings. All relevant facts, information and opinions have been given thorough consideration. Your Commit- tee has had the cooperation of the School Committee and the Planning Board. It is your Committee's recommendation that the town acquire by purchase or take by eminent domain for school purposes the parcels of land described below:
Parcel 1. Land of Abraham Shagoury lying westerly of Walpole Street and bound- ed northeasterly by land now or formerly of Abraham Shagoury, south- easterly by Walpole Street and land now or formerly of Davis, Kallgren and Shagoury, southwesterly by a proposed parkway running between Walpole Street and Nichols Street, southwesterly also by land now or formerly of Housing Securities Corporation and northwesterly by Nichols Street, containing 11.2 acres more or less.
Parcel 2. Land now or formerly of Housing Securities Corporation lying westerly of Walpole Street and bounded northeasterly by land of Shagoury, south- easterly and southwesterly by a proposed parkway running between Walpole Street and Nichols Street and land of Housing Securities Corpo- ration and northwesterly by Nichols Street, containing 7.9 acres more or less.
all as shown on a plan entitled "Proposed School Site Between Walpole Street and Nichols Street" by A. W. Thompson, Town Engineer-dated March 12, 1954.
The present owner of record of Parcel 1 has given the Town an option (expir- ing December 31, 1954) to purchase said parcel containing 11.12 acres (more or less) for $1500.00 per acre.
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Your Committee has not been able to obtain a definite comitment or offer on Parcel 2, but feels it is reasonable to assume that the Town could acquire Parcel 2 containing 7.9 acres (more or less) by purchase or take by eminent domain at a cost not exceeding $1500.00 per acre.
Your Committee recommends that its reports in their entirety be included in the Town Report for the year 1954.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM C. KENDRICK, Chairman JAMES J. HAWLEY, Secretary JAMES J. DRUMMEY WALTER J. GOTOVICH HARRY F. HOWARD JOHN F. KILEY, JR.
CHARLES L. RICH
JOSEPH E. RILEY ROBERT W. WILLIAMSON
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen' to acquire by purchase or take by eminent domain for school purposes the following described parcels of land.
Parcel 1. A parcel of land lying westerly of Walpole Street and bounded northeasterly by land of Shagoury; southeasterly and southwesterly by a pro- posed parkway running between Walpole Street and Nichols Street and land of Housing Securities Corporation; and northwesterly by Nichols Street, con- taining 7.9 acres more or less;
Parcel No. 2. A parcel of land lying westerly of Walpole Street and bounded northeasterly by land of Shagoury; southeasterly by Walpole Street and land of Davis. Kallgren and Shagoury; southwesterly by a proposed parkway running between Walpole Street and Nichols Street and land of Housing Securities Corporation; and northwesterly by Nichols Street, con- taining 11.2 acres more or less; both parcels being shown on plan by A. W. Thompson, Town Engineer, dated March 12, 1954;
to raise and appropriate a sum of money for such purposes; to determine whether the money shall be provided by appropriation from available funds in the treasury or otherwise, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Voted: To so authorize the Selectmen and that the sum of $29,000. be ap- propriated for said purpose of which the sum of $9,150.14 be transferred from Sale of Real Estate Fund and the sum of $19,849.86 be transferred from Surplus Revenue.
ARTICLE 4. To hear and act upon the report of the committee ap- pointed under Article 1 of the special town meeting of April 16, 1953 to secure the services of an architect for the preparation of plans and estimates of costs for an addition to the Junior High School.
Voted: That the report of the Committe of Seven to Secure Plans and Estimates for an Addition to the Junior High School be accepted and the Com- mittee discharged.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
The Report of the Committee of Seven to Secure Plans and Estimates for an Addition to the Junior High School is as follows:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SEVEN TO SECURE PLANS AND ESTIMATES FOR AN ADDITION TO THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
At the Special Town Meeting of April 16, 1953, the report of the Committee of Nine to make a survey with reference to the need of and location of additional school buildings had recommended a six room, three story and basement addition to the Junior High School. It was VOTED: That a committee of seven be ap- pointed by the Moderator to obtain plans and estimates for an addition to the Junior High School and that the sum of Eighteen Thousand ($18,000) Dollars be raised by taxation and appropriated for use of the committee in engaging the services of an architect in connection therewith ..
The Committee of Seven has held 18 meetings since its organization and a chronological summary of what has been done follows:
The first five meetings were held jointly with the Callahan Committee and included a meeting with John Marshall, Administrator, State School Building Assistance Commission, to discuss the requirements for obtaining State Aid and the procedures to be followed. Mr. Upham was engaged as architect and pre- liminary plans were prepared. On October 16, the Committee met with Mr. Marshall at the office of the Commission. The preliminary plans were presented and the report of the Committee of Nine submitted as the basis for the need for the erection of an addition to the Junior High School. Mr. Marshall raised several objections to the project. He felt that the site was inadequate in size and there would be insufficient play areas for elementary pupils. He felt that housing ele- mentary school pupils with Junior High School pupils was educationally bad. He also felt that the class rooms as proposed in the plans were not the proper rooms to be added but that special facility rooms were needed instead. Although the committee explained that elementary playground facilities were available in Cleveland Park as well as at Civic Field, that the use for elementary pupils would be temporary and that an elementary school would be built soon, probably in 1958, and that his other objections could be taken care of. Mr. Marshall reversed his decision and on November 3, wrote the following letter:
The Commonweath of Massachusetts School Building Assistant Commission 88 Broad Street, Boston 10
November 3, 1953
Mr. Harry F. Howard 805 Neponset Street Norwood, Mass. Dear Mr. Howard
I am writing to summarize our October 16 discussion of the proposed addition to the Norwood Junior High School.
Your Committee has been instructed by the town to bring in plans for an addition consisting of six classrooms, three stories and basement. The classrooms are
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needed for elementary purposes. The instructions to your committee were based on this need and on cost considerations. In my opinion, they were not sufficiently based on a familiarity with current standards for school plant construction, nor on an adequate long range plan for meeting the needs of the educational program in Norwood.
The site, reported as about four and one-half acres, is inadequate for a modern junior high school. Getting to the civic playground of about five acres across Washington Street involves hazards even for the junior high school children, and even more so for the additional elementary children you propose to serve.
The combination assembly room-gymnasium you will find is utilized one hundred per cent of the time in serving the junior high school grades. No adequate pro- vision can be made for assembly and recreation activities for the elementary pupils to be added, without some sacrifice in the school program.
In short, I think that further study of the growing needs in Norwood and further familiarity with the goals of good school plant planning will evolve a much better plan, without involving the addition of the elementary classrooms to a junior high school building. In my opinion, the only addition to Norwood Junior High School that would be a wise investment woud be the possible addition of special facilities to enhance the educational program, when the growing Junior High School enrollment calls for it.
I do not feel that the addition your committee proposes is a wise investment of public funds, and for that reason I am not willing to recommend a state con- struction grant for it.
Very truly yours, JOHN E. MARSHALL Administrator
The committee obviously had to obtain the approval of the School Building Assistance Commission for State Aid over the objections of its agent or proceed without State Aid. Should state aid not be obtained, the cost to the town of the Junior High School addition would amount to approximately $40,000.00 more than were state aid granted. To prepare detailed plans, get estimates and submit them to town meeting for action would cost ten to twelve thousand dollars. Before committing the town to this expense the committee deemed it advisable to seek help in its case with the Building Commission: In response to our question, town counsel advised that engaging a consultant was within the authority of the com- mittee. Mr. Marshall stated that should a survey be made by a competent con- sultant sustain the position of this committee, he would wtihdraw his objections, and also agreed that the State would pay half the cost of the consultant's services.
A study of the consultant's making surveys on school building needs indicated that Dr. William K. Wilson of Albany, New York, was the outstanding man in the field and his services were engaged. His task was to review the work done by the Committee of Nine, bring all data up to date, compile any new data which he thought was pertinent, and after thorough study of factors and conditions submit to this committee a report containing recommendations.
Dr. Wilson submitted his report verbally on May 24th and has since submitted a written report with graphs and data. He does not recommend building an addi-
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
tion to the Junior High School at this time. However, while not agreeing entirely with the conclusions of the Committee of Nine, he stated the Committee's report was very complete.
Dr. Wilson recommends building in the Winslow-West district the first unit of 9 rooms and 2 kindergartens of what might eventually become an 18 room building. This would be on a location in the Fisher Street general area.
He does not believe that an addition for Junior High purposes will be needed until after 1960.
He lists the following objections to building an addition at present:
"1. Housing elementary and junior high school children in the same building, where the building facilities and especially the playground facilities cannot be kept completely separate, is not conducive to either good educational or good moral conditions. In this particular situation the location of the building almost in the heart of the busy section of the town, and the extremely limited site, make this plan especially undersirable.
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