School committee approves budget cuts that eliminate Norwood High Latin teacher; asks that any savings be prioritized to restore it

The Norwood School Committee voted 3-2 on March 5 to approve Tier 1 reductions to its preliminary fiscal 2026 budget that include eliminating one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Latin teaching position at Norwood High School. Committee members also accepted a friendly amendment that directs the administration to prioritize any subsequently found savings to reinstate the Latin position if possible.

The decision followed nearly 30 minutes of public comment devoted to the Latin program. Students, parents and teachers told the committee the course supports college readiness, English-language development and student engagement. ‘‘We ask the members of the school committee and the district administration to strongly reconsider the elimination of the Latin program at Norwood High and to restore the teacher’s position,’’ said Emily Kai, who identified herself as a Norwood resident and parent.

The committee’s memo and administrators’ presentations said the Tier 1 reductions are part of an effort to meet a townwide target and that the district’s proposed budget remains higher than what local officials say the town can sustain without drawing substantially on free cash. The district identified the Latin…