DES MOINES, Iowa — Reacting to recent changes to state education policy, members of the Des Moines community addressed the Des Moines Public School Board at Tuesday night’s meeting to advocate for Public School Strong.

Community members and former public school teachers spoke out against private school vouchers and spoke for providing financial resources so all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Fear and uncertainty around changes to federal funding levels have galvanized members of Citizens for Community Improvement. They’re leading the Public School Strong movement and showed up to support the Des Moines School Board and the 30,000 students served by the district.

“We’re here to partner with the Board to win on this equitable and fully funded public education,’ Tim Glaza, a community organizer said. “You know, here in Iowa, our public schools have been chronically underfunded for decades. And now with the new voucher program, It’s really expanding across the state. That’s hundreds of millions of dollars that are being taken away from public schools and go into private schools.”

Former DMPS teacher Cherie Mortice also spoke at the board meeting about the voucher program and what the community can do.

“I just think it’s important that we really support our teachers and administrators,” Mortice said. “This is really difficult on them to, but I think that it’s really important that everyday people understand that they have an impact and they need to be talking to their legislatures and they need to be showing up and lobbying for our public schools because believe it or not, when you call, when you email, they keep track … and politicians on the Hill are counting votes everyday.”

Public School Strong is a national campaign aimed at ensuring all children have access to fully funded public education. To learn more about the campaign visit their website.

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