The Des Moines Public Schools board is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday to consider placing Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on unpaid administrative leave. This action follows his arrest by federal immigration officials on Friday and the subsequent revocation of his state education license.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners nullified Dr. Roberts' license, stating he no longer has legal presence in the United States. His employment contract, which provides an annual salary of $286,000, requires him to maintain a valid state-issued license to serve as superintendent.
Key Takeaways
- The Des Moines school board will meet Monday to vote on placing Superintendent Ian Roberts on unpaid leave.
- Iowa officials revoked Roberts' education license, citing a lack of legal presence in the U.S.
- Roberts was arrested by ICE on Friday for being in the country illegally and is subject to a 2024 removal order.
- Officials reported finding a loaded gun, a knife, and $3,000 cash in the school-issued vehicle he was driving.
- Matthew Smith has been appointed as the interim superintendent for the district.
License Revocation Prompts Board Action
The decision by the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) board to convene a special session follows a direct communication from state education authorities. On Monday morning, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners officially revoked Dr. Roberts' administrative license.
In a letter to Roberts, the board's executive director, Michael D. Cavin, stated, "Our office has received information that you no longer possess legal presence in the United States, therefore you not able to hold a license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners." The letter confirmed that his authority to serve as superintendent was immediately revoked.
This development is critical because Roberts' employment contract is contingent upon him holding a valid license. His current contract, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, explicitly includes this requirement. The board had previously placed him on paid administrative leave during a meeting on Saturday, just one day after his arrest.
Details of the Arrest and Federal Investigation
Dr. Roberts, a native of Guyana, was arrested on Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a statement from the agency, Roberts was in the country illegally, did not have authorization to work, and was subject to a final order of removal issued in May 2024.
The arrest occurred after ICE agents initiated a traffic stop while Roberts was driving a school-issued vehicle. Federal officials stated that he fled the stop and abandoned the vehicle near a wooded area before being apprehended with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol. He is currently being held at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, approximately 150 miles from Des Moines.
Items Found in Vehicle
According to federal officials, a search of the school-issued vehicle Dr. Roberts was driving revealed a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and approximately $3,000 in cash.
The investigation has expanded beyond the arrest. On Friday night, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were seen executing a federal search warrant at a home in a South Des Moines neighborhood. The address of the residence reportedly matches the one listed for Dr. Roberts in the letter from the state education board.
District Leadership and Community Response
In response to the unfolding situation, the school board has appointed Matthew Smith as interim superintendent. Smith has been an administrator with DMPS since 2013, most recently serving as associate superintendent. He also served as interim superintendent in 2022 before Roberts was hired in 2023.
Jackie Norris, the chair of the Des Moines Public Schools Board, addressed the complexities of the situation.
“Two things can be true at the same time - Dr. Roberts was an effective and well-respected leader and there are serious questions related to his citizenship and ability to legally perform his duties as superintendent.”
Norris confirmed that the district used a search firm and followed standard procedures during the hiring process, which included background checks by the state. She noted the board is now working to understand how the district could have been unaware of the federal removal order against Roberts.
Hiring and Contract Information
- Hired: 2023
- Annual Salary: $286,000
- Contract Term: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
- Key Requirement: Must hold a valid Iowa-issued education license.
Calls for Accountability and Support
The incident has drawn reactions from state and federal officials. U.S. Congressman Zach Nunn has requested more information about Roberts' immigration history and stated he wants to hold the federal government accountable. He argued that the Department of Homeland Security should have notified the school district about Roberts' status.
"If ICE is going to be operating in our community... our community should be part of this conversation," Nunn said. He added that this does not excuse an individual from disclosing their legal status to their employer.
Meanwhile, the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP reported that its members spoke with Roberts over the weekend. The organization said it has received numerous calls from individuals and groups across the country offering assistance. The community remains divided, with student walkouts and protests planned at several schools this week.
Dr. Roberts has the option to appeal the revocation of his license. According to the state board, a written letter of appeal must be received by October 28, 2025. It is not yet known if he plans to pursue an appeal.
