I'm Miller Fishback; an eighth grader soon to graduate from Central Middle School in Greenwich, CT. As a large portion of my 4th quarter grade, I was tasked with the Capstone Experience project. Though this project entails far more than a simple explanation, in essence, the Capstone Experience is a school project administered by the Greenwich Public Schools system in order to help students promote progress within their communities. First, students are tasked with researching and obtaining information to pick an issue that is a concern to the health of their community or the people within it. From that point on, students have to conduct further research regarding how they can aid that concern. Eventually, we are meant to develop an action plan which directly alleviates the impediments defined by such an issue.

After conducting the research I believed was necessary, I came to the conclusion to utilizing income inequality as my proposed issue. In the 70s, Bridgeport, an extremely low income city in Fairfield County, was booming with industrial jobs that supplied compensation and employment throughout the city. That said, as time progressed, coupled with the decline in major industry, Bridgeport became isolated from neighboring cities who began advancing through their connections of highway networks and developments of sewage and water lines. As a result of this seclusion, the city experienced further decline.

Through my analyzation of multiple sources, I found that the factor impacted the strongest was public education. For instance, according to the New York Times, “Ruling in a case known as Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell, Judge Moukawsher of State Superior Court in Hartford said the state was allowing children in poor districts to languish, while their wealthier neighbors soared” (Harris & Hussey, 3). The beliefs of Judge Moukawsher emphasize how inequalities are riddled into the education system; thus assisting those with the upper-hand rather than aiding the crumbling school districts.

Because this issue concerns, primarily, young teenagers located in Connecticut, I can feel connected to those who are currently experiencing the effects of this wealth gap. Furthermore, through personal experiences and research, developing an understanding of the burden that a lack of education can take on one's life has led me to become extremely passionate about potentially improving the quality of education for others. Knowing that I grew up in a Connecticut town that has supplied me with the proper educational resources, I know the impact and onus that is placed on me to impact the lives of students in need.

In the most ideal situation, my Capstone would display the magnitude and severity of the Connecticut wealth gap, along with how drastically it has impacted students’ educations. Additionally, because this issue is so large and, clearly, cannot be solved with the snap of a finger, I hope to generate actionable and realistic solutions that work to bridge the monstrous wealth gap between Fairfield and Bridgeport. These solutions include generating a PSA to display to my middle school peers and teachers, along with a letter to be published by the Greenwich Free Press or the Greenwich Time. However, these are solely methods of exposure and awareness. The true solution lies within this petition.

Through this petition, I am attempting to receive a substantial amount of signs which will contribute to the signing of H.B. 5283. In short, H.B. 5238 is a an act which concerns the "EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT FORMULA AND THE FUNDING OF OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS" which will result in numerous, effective policy changes (CGA.CT.GOV). If I am able to receive enough signatures on this petition, I will be able to forward it to Greenwich House Representatives, Harry Arora (R), Stephen Meskers (D), and Kimberly Fiorella (R), who will hopefully take an interest in my cause and sponsor the signing of this act. Help support my cause today in order to better provide resources for the children of Bridgeport!