LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - Monday is the first day of school for several school districts across the state.

But this weekend, dozens of eastern Iowa teachers took to the streets of Mount Vernon and Lisbon, advocating for better funding for public schools.

This is the first school year that Education Savings Accounts, commonly known as vouchers, are available to all students in Iowa, regardless of income.

Those accounts give funds to families wanting to send their children to private schools.

For Whitney Turner, Saturday’s march put on by the Voices United of Rural Linn County was personal.

“I have a senior and an 8th grader,” Turner said. “Both at Mount Vernon. “

Along with being a mother, Turner is also a teacher in the school district.

“I teach at Mount Vernon Middle School, and I

See Full Page