WASHINGTON, D.C. [KWWL] — The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the Des Moines public school district.

The investigation aims to determine if the district's employment practices discriminate based on race, color, and origin.

The justice department alleges that the district set quotas to increase teachers of color and prioritized staff retention for people of color.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated these practices violate federal law and emphasized a return to merit-based hiring.

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