Residents urge Des Moines board to resist vouchers, expand mental-health services and address smartphones' effects on students

Several community members addressed the Des Moines Independent Comm School District board during the public forum on April 2, urging action on funding, student mental health and technology in schools.

Speakers representing Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement urged the board to resist state voucher expansion that funnels public dollars to private schools. Michael Farley, speaking for Iowa CCI, said the voucher program has diverted more than $100 million from Iowa public education in its first year and asked the board and superintendent to push back within their authorities. Shere Mortiz, president of Iowa CCI Action Fund, told trustees she and members worry that the state education director's recent confirmation could favor vouchers and urged the board to defend full funding for public schools.

A classroom teacher, Colin Coulter of East High School, cited national research and urged the district to consider phone-free policies during the school day, referencing studies that link increased smartphone use to rising rates of adolescent depression and worse academic indicators. Coulter recommended district guidance to parents and policies that limit in-school phone access.

Several speakers also emphasized mental-health services and integrated wellness systems. Jennifer Nessa, a licensed clinical social worker, urged a comprehensive, district-level mental-health strategy rather than a patchwork approach, noting inconsistent implementation of existing supports and gaps in accountability.

Other residents encouraged stronger family engagement and community-based attendance efforts. A number of speakers asked the district to prioritize supports for historically marginalized students, especially Black males, and to align district investments to those priorities.

The board took no action during the forum but heard from multiple stakeholders whose concerns overlap with topics discussed in the monitoring report and upcoming budget decisions.