Des Moines educators, union members and community members rally for public education
KCCI
[{'start': '2.035', 'end': '4.169', 'text': 'They say if you have any   information on Barton to   contact the Sheriff\'s   Office.       Educators here in Iowa   are joining others across   the country in protesting   cuts to public education.      Teachers and local   unions took part in walk-in   events at more than 70   schools in our state,   including a number of Des   Moines schools.      KCCI\'s Kayla James joins   us in studio, Kayla?       Despite the rain   Thursday morning --      Des Moines Schools   leaders, educators and   more --      Came out to walks-in at 12   Des Moines school   buildings.   <4240; 08:44:16-   08:44:23>   <"WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE   OUT WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER --   TO COME TOGETHER TO BE ABLE   TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.">      This all happened before   the start of the school day.      The educators at each   school taking part --      Sharing their concerns   about what\'s going on on the   federal and state level   impacting publicic   education.      They spent ten or so   minutes outside -- before   walking into the school   buildings to get their days   started.   But it was later on in the day   at  Goodrell --      Where a rally was held   with more than just   educators sharing their   fears --       Some specifically   honing in on the President   Trump and his   administration\'s plans   regarding ther Department   of Education and   immigration policies.    < 4942; 06:42:57-   06:43:01>   <"DISMANTLING THE   DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION   MEANS MORE THAN JUST   DEFUNDING PROGRAMS.">   <NELA BLANCO/BILINGUAL   FAMILY LIASON, DMPS; 4942;   06:45:03- 06:45:12>   <"SINCE ALL OF THESE   IMMIGRATION POLICIES BY   THE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN   PUT IN PLACE, OUR   ATTENDANCE AMONG THE   LATINX STUDENTS HAS   DECREASED DUE TO THE FEAR OF   COMING TO SCHOOL.">      I did reach out to the   White House today --      But did not hear back.      We do know from past   coverage -- the Trump   Administration has said   dismantling the U.S.   Department of Education   would turn education   authority back to the   states.      While there are people   across the U.S. who have   shared their support for   this --      That\'s not the case for   the thousands who rallied   today --      Like the group here in Des   Moines.   Speakers this evening also   touched on what\'s going on   at the State level:      SUch as cuts to the area   education agencies --      And howow Iowa did not opt   into the Summer EBT program   that provides money per   month to some families with   children.   <4941; 06:26:29- 06:26:40>   <"MY AGENCY WILL BEGIN NEXT   SCHOOL YEAR WITH 150 FEWER   STAFF MEMBERS THAN JUST TWO   YEARS AGO.">   < 4942; 06:52:22-   06:52:30>   <"REFUSING TO TAKE FEDERAL   FUNDING OVER THE SUMMER   THAT FEEDS OUR KIDS WHEN   THEY ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. HOW   ARE KIDS SUPPOSED TO LEARN   WHEN THEY CAN\'T\' EVEN   EAT.">      KCCI did reach out to the   Governor\'s Office   Thursday.      A spokesperson says Iowa   HHS is working closely with   the USDA on the waiver for   the Summer EBT program --      With a hopeful   announcement soon.      People who attended the   rally and walk-ins today --'}]