Des Moines school officials announce new superintendent
Officials with Iowa's largest school district said Tuesday that they've found their next superintendent.
The Des Moines School Board announced the hiring of Dr. Ian Roberts and approved his contract during a regular meeting Tuesday night. Roberts is currently the superintendent of Millcreek Township School District, which has about 6,400 students across 10 buildings in northwest Pennsylvania.
He spoke in front of people about the meeting, already sharing a promise he's making for staff and students.
"I am a champion for teachers. I'm committed to coaching and developing leaders," Roberts said. "But allow me to reiterate: more importantly, every single child who knocks on our doors — families rest assured they will receive a quality education that changes their trajectory for success."
A news release from DMPS called him "a lifelong educator who has held the roles of Chief Schools Officer, Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Principal, and Senior Vice President of a charter management organization."
Roberts, 52, is the first person of color in DMPS' top job, according to the district. He'll start at DMPS, which has 31,000 students across 64 school buildings, on July 1.
"When considering candidates, the Board was looking for educational experience, academic excellence and a passion for innovation and inspiration, and we found those qualities and more in Dr. Roberts,” Des Moines Public Schools Board Chair Teree Caldwell-Johnson said in the release. “Dr. Roberts’ focus on creating equitable experiences for students to thrive, paired with his commitment to continuous improvement, creates an exciting opportunity for our students, staff and community.”
Roberts announced his resignation from Millcreek, effective June 30, last week, according to . He has a bachelor of science degree from Coppin State University, a doctorate in education from Urban Educational Leadership and a master’s degree in education from St. John’s University.
He's married and outside of school, he enjoys hunting, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. He also ran the 800 meters for his native Guyana in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“Leadership is about meeting people where they are and helping them to become even better, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a strong organization like Des Moines Public Schools using the Board’s goals and guardrails to achieve educational and operational excellence,” Roberts said in the release. “I want to thank the Board for this opportunity, and I look forward to listening, learning and leading with input from my school community to increase opportunities for all students using empathy, cultural competency and continuous improvement to chart our path.”
Matt Smith had been the interim superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since June 1, 2022.
Smith was associate superintendent under Tom Ahart, who announced his resignation in February 2022 after a decade as superintendent.
“I want to thank Interim Superintendent Matt Smith for his strong leadership of Des Moines Public Schools over the last year,” Caldwell-Johnson said in the release. “The Board is grateful for his service and supportive of his decision to return to the associate superintendent position where he will partner with Dr. Roberts to continue to make a tremendous impact.”
"I've never been more excited to serve under someone's leadership than Dr. Roberts," Smith said, shortly after the announcement was made.
