Des Moines community prays, prepares as schools reopen with superintendent in ICE custody
On the eve of classes resuming, community and faith leaders gathered Sunday at First United Methodist Church to pray for Des Moines Public Schools and Superintendent Ian Roberts, whose arrest remains under investigation.
“We gather today to support, not only Doctor Roberts, but also to support our public school system in this time,” Des Moines First United Methodist Church Senior Pastor LaTonya Calderon said to open the event.
State Rep. Rob Johnson urged a focus on students rather than unanswered questions.
“We don’t need details to wrap our arms around the students of the Des Moines Public Schools tomorrow,” he said.
More than 30,000 students return to the district on Monday.
'Close Up': vlog's full interview with DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris after Superintendent Ian Roberts arrested by ICE
Interim Superintendent Matt Smith told families, in part: “What we cannot lose focus on is our children. Communities show their identity in times of crisis and the way we respond will make a difference in the lives of the children we love and serve.”
Iowa State Education Association President Josh Brown called for broad support at the event.
“Pray for our students, for our educators, for the administration, pray for our community partners and community members as we get back to school tomorrow with educators and students and parents who are confused, sad, angry, and scared,” Brown said.
The district has faced criticism following Roberts’ arrest.
In Immigration and Customs Enforcement's press release on Roberts, St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said, “How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension.”
WATCH: DMPS board chair says 'there were no red flags' in hiring process of superintendent
The district said Roberts completed the standard I-9 employment eligibility verification and submitted required documentation before he was hired, and that officials were not aware of any issues with his citizenship or immigration status.
According to the ICE website, Roberts is being held at the Woodbury County Jail; earlier, the site listed Pottawattamie County.
His attorney, Alfredo Parrish, said he is gathering facts and could not answer questions.
NAACP leaders, meanwhile, spoke to Roberts on Saturday and said "he is in good spirits and that his faith in God will sustain him."
"(Roberts) expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from individuals and organizations nationwide and reaffirmed his commitment to education and ensuring students thrive,"
“Our prayers are with Dr. Roberts, his family, and our community,” said Betty Andrews, NAACP Iowa-Nebraska State Area President and National NAACP Board Member. “We will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand firmly in contending for justice.”
Board Chair Jackie Norris said leaders are preparing to help students and staff navigate the return.
“We want to make sure parents are comfortable having conversations with their child about this and that teachers are too,” she said, adding the district must “acknowledge that Dr. Roberts is a human being” while navigating “discrepancies in his citizenship status.”
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