E. Comments on Norwood:

1. Norwood is one of the smaller schools in the area and has less unused space than other schools. It seems to be the closes to being right-sized for the area it serves.

2. Norwood is difficult to partition for other uses for the small amount of space available. It might make sense to attract a few more students to Norwood and see about leasing-out spaces in other schools.

3. Upgrades and renovations a few years ago have given us a building in excellent condition.

4. Norwood is adjacent to transit routes which might be beneficial if attractive student bus passes could be provided.

5. Our parents are passionate about the teacher-student relationship, goals and benefits at the Norwood School. We have seen this in oral expression at meetings and the letters of support they have written.

6. Norwood has a long history and is well-regarded in the community. Well over 90% of the people who were home when contacted were willing to sign our petition for inner-city schools. Many residents thanked us for the efforts we were making for the community. Not all canvassers carried letters with them but those that did found that over 75% were willing to take the extra tine to sign a letter of support of Norwood School. Those signing come from many walks of life and different organizations. Some of our parents took petitions to their workplaces and easily got responses from people who lived in all parts of the city as well as in surrounding communities. Most people are willing to give a break to kids in the inner-city. The response over a short period of times indicates this is hot-button issue.

7. We feel that numerous agencies and entities who assist the school would support efforts to maintain the school and its programs for children.

8. The Norwood school area straddles two community-league areas who may feel a need to support other schools in their areas. We have to be prepared to speak for ourselves.

9. We have tried to contact other schools in the area with limited success so we cannot speak authoritatively for them but we suspect they want the same considerations for their inner-city students.