Rep. Rogers Meets With Local Family About School Funding

The Fanizzi family of Norwood were recently the guests of state Rep. John H. Rogers (D-Norwood) at the State House to discuss increased education funding for Norwood public school children.

Paula Michel Fanizzi, mother of Mia and Dominic Fanizzi, lobbied Rogers for more state financial aid to the Norwood school system to help reduce class sizes.

Rogers, who is a member of the House-Senate Committee on Education, reported that Norwood will receive a record amount of school aid from the state this year. Rogers helped to craft a state budget for fiscal year 2013, which began July 1.

According to Rogers, the state will send $5,111,751 in education aid to Norwood and a total of $9,046,025, representing an increase of $587,000 over the amount appropriated in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The Norwood schools historically take 55 percent of any new money from the state. That means that Rogers has secured an additional $323,000 for Norwood's school children compared to the school year that ended in June.

"As Norwood's state representative, I am grateful to have been so successfully lobbied by the best advocates for Norwood's school children: the school children themselves," said Rogers, referring to Mia Fanizzi and younger brother Dominic.

Rogers thanked their mother Paula for taking time to make a difference and assured her that every voice counts in the lawmaking process.

Editor's Note: Press release from Representative John Rogers' office.