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Des Moines school board votes to put Superintendent Ian Roberts on unpaid leave after ICE arrest

Des Moines school board votes to put Superintendent Ian Roberts on unpaid leave after ICE arrest
Jack, can you not Clearly the skateboard. Documentation that shows this so is there any way to know. I can't confirm. I cannot confirm how the board of Educational examiners made their decision. We have asked for the documentation that they used to make that decision um what we have received from the Department of Homeland Security was information stating that they had the basis to determine that Doctor Roberts was ineligible to work in our country. Make *** decision on It is very important for us to take *** moment and make sure that we have the basis for any decision we made, so we have asked Doctor Robert's attorney by tomorrow at noon to provide *** set of documents including the information to verify his citizenship status. The mood of the district and how has this affected that. You know, uh, when we think about this as board members, I, we think about the kids. And you know, he sparked *** joy in our kids and an excitement in our kids and that's. I think it probably over time is probably heartbreaking if it turns out that his citizenship status is in question. So, on the flip side, I do want to say one thing we have total confidence in Matt Smith as our interim superintendent. He is leading with such grace, and he is leading his principals, and they are supporting the teachers and students and staff. And so two things can be true. You can feel, um, disappointed and process that. And at the same time, the staff also has to move forward to make sure the conditions for learning for our students are there. Are you still calling for radical MP and is the board taking any responsibility for? Yeah, you know, I appreciate the question. So the board operates in good faith in partnership with the search firm that we used. And so *** search firm is hired, very typical in *** process, the board contracts with *** search firm, and the search firm is given *** set of parameters for what we're looking for in *** superintendent. They go out and they provide *** list of candidates to us. We go through the interview process and. Then they in turn work with third party to do all of the vetting, and I think the vetting includes criminal background check and other, uh, other checks, and then they come back with *** recommendation for us. And so we are operating on the information that was given to us and there was nothing in the information that was given to us to allude to any question about his citizenship. React to what happened on Friday, but seeing *** gun he had *** knife uh. how you dealt with that. I mean, I think it's jarring, right? It is, I mean, we, we all found out with everybody else from the news and so I think for us our responsibility is to do what is right and in the best interest of the district and to provide the continuity that we needed to. And so obviously one of the first things we did was when uh Doctor Roberts was detained and no longer able to lead the district because he was physically um unable was turning to Matt Smith and asking him to take over and lead as interim superintendent and move the district operations forward because at that time we had over 30,000, 35,000 students and staff in our buildings. You talk about the kids *** lot and I just, I know, I know it sounds kind of simple, but. It sounds like he was *** big part of so many kids' lives. How do you explain this to *** child? What's happening? Yeah, you know, one of the things I'm really proud of Doctor Roberts, excuse me, of um interim superintendent Matt Smith, along with his team of advisors is working with principals and teachers on how to talk to children about *** very difficult situation. And so, citizenship. It is *** very complex issue. It requires multiple documents, and that is something that we are entrusting our staff along with the families to talk with their children about what citizenship means and also to help people understand that, uh, two things can be true. It is possible that you may not be *** citizen, but you are still *** good human being. I have been the same. Materials that you did, the Social Security card. I don't know what basis they use. I do know that in addition to the things that we've talked about, they also do *** fingerprinting uh check as well. He found the weapons inside of the district vehicle. um, you talked to me if that is grounds for termination and why he may have had that vehicle. Yeah, we were completely shocked about the guns and our board policy states that guns are not allowed on district property at district sanctioned events and so we were, we were as shocked as everybody else was to learn of that. What is that grounds for termination, if you find an employee with *** weapon and it is for people. from Yes. Um, We've heard *** lot of speculation about that. From I'm just wondering But You know, I think everybody's piecing together *** story of Dr. Roberts' background. What we are doing is waiting to hear back from Dr. Roberts' attorney, uh, who is at Parish Cryonie, who has been asked to provide us *** comprehensive immigration and education history so that we can have *** comprehensive picture. You have immigrant students, you have refugee students, have undocumented students. How are you making sure that they feel safe at school? Mm The most important thing we can do as leaders as *** community is to put as much love and compassion for these students as possible. These are young children trying to process *** very difficult subject and so I think, uh, both at the academic level, making sure that teachers and staff feel comfort. having conversations with students we've sent out notifications and information to families to help them think about ways to talk to their students and I think we've also made it clear as *** board that we do not want hateful rhetoric directed at our staff, directed at our students, directed at the board because it is not helpful. you look back at the hiring process these last few days, has there been anything you've found, mistakes that were made, things that you wish you would have done differently looking at it. Yeah, you know, uh, in hindsight, I think, um, there is nothing we would have done differently because we followed the process. I think moving and, and quite honestly, this is the process that many employers use all across the country. And so I think the one thing we will do after this is *** kind. an after action review to identify ways that we might strengthen or even enhance the process. So I think two things can be true. We followed the process, which is the same process as other um other employers, and yet we will look for ways to strengthen the process given what's happened. I'm gonna go over here.s told me that they are still shocked and just processing this, you know, *** couple of days after we talked about the children, but just, just the people in the community, maybe people that don't have. Yeah, look, this is an individual who, uh, brought *** lot of enthusiasm, uh, and vibrancy to our community and, um, sparked energy around public education. And uh we also can continue to have that conversation. uh public education is *** critical element of our country and we're gonna keep having that conversation and I know that the people that are grappling with this, I also know that in the spirit of where we are right now, what they want is the best for our students, which is *** high quality public education. Well this is looking ahead to November, so *** little bit, but you know the bond referendum that's on the ballot $265 million Doctor Roberts was *** spearhead for that so I guess what is messaging turn to now seen some comments on social media discussing that, people saying, he voted down, I guess I'm just curious uh. Yeah, you know, uh, what most people forget is that the reimagining education actually was catalyzed by *** very big broad board vision. To reimagine the way our students learn and think and it was actually put together comprehensively by *** lot of staff including uh our interim superintendent Matt Smith and so you know and it was informed by our community by our parents, by our students and so. All of those same things exist, um, so our job is to take this big vision and ask our community to invest in our kids and by all indications we are moving forward and we have community support to do that. I would have you might have some concern about the hiring process within the district. We should feel very confident about our hiring process. We we background check every employee. We have verified documentation. It is something we do on *** regular basis and so I think, uh, I can speak with confidence, uh, that we have gone through every employee we've taken. Through *** process. I can't speak to that yet. I think it's like I, I, there may be changes. I don't know what they might be, but again, the process that we have followed is the correct process.cs or any other notes because I know this is *** very Yeah, I think when we do after action review we're gonna talk through best practices and how other school districts handle things. We're just not at that point right now. Yeah. For those struggling, um, whether they were students or staff, what are you offering like counseling, what kind of things structural supports are you offering? Yeah, I'd love to leave that specifically to our interim superintendent, but I do know we have provided resources and so whether it's uh mental health counselors or it's trusted uh staff members that people can come and talk to um. Yeah, thank you. It's *** great question. having *** firearm in *** possession is grounds for termination, why was it put on paid leave or unpaid leave. Yeah, we are continuing to gather all of the facts, and that is something that will be factored into our decision to move through the process. Yeah. We don't, we don't know. We're seeking information from Doctor Roberts and his attorney. You mentioned that you just provided *** copy of his. In which way. So it is *** 279 contract and I will have to ask Phil or others to answer, but at *** high level, the board, uh, makes *** decision to recommend termination and then it opens up *** process where the employee actually has the opportunity to for 5 days to um to appeal. That decision and then things continue from there so it is *** it is *** longer process, but that is, you know, as an employee of the state, we are *** public entity and so it is not something that you just snap your fingers and do. So um the process that we're moving forward to is uh consistent with how other. Administrators would be handled in this in this situation. Let's take time for just *** couple more. thank you. I've talked to *** lot of people in the past few days, parents, uh, community members, uh, staff who are really upset with how this happened that granted you've said you didn't have notice of his or of removal until today, uh, but everyone's asking *** question. He's so visible, he's so prominent in the community. Why did he get taken the way that he was taken? Why wasn't there contact with the rest of the district if they needed to come in and get him? Do you share those frustrations with ICE and DHS and how they handle this? Well, I think there's probably more professional ways that ICE could handle this issue, and at the same time, we don't have the information that they do. We don't know why they chose to do. When they did, and so we have to respect that they had *** process in place. I do think that, you know, as an employer moving forward, one of the things that I think every employer should be asking themselves is the obligation of some federal entity to notify the employer when there's an actual issue that we should be made aware of. Can you just say what happens at noon tomorrow? Are you gonna meet again and vote or do you know yet? No, so we have just requested that information and from there we will assess that information and then we will be meeting at some point tomorrow evening to discuss as *** board what our next steps will be. Will that be an open meeting or *** closed meeting? I think you know we've been very careful to um err on the side, let me say it differently we always will try to meet in open session if we are talking about information that is already in the public domain if there are material elements that are solely for more. Information as it relates to Doctor Roberts or Doctor Roberts' attorney, we will at that point use that as *** basis to go into closed session. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible because we have nothing to hide and at the same time I think we have to see what facts unfold, and we don't know that yet. Thanks everybody, um.
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Updated: 11:00 PM CDT Sep 29, 2025
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Des Moines school board votes to put Superintendent Ian Roberts on unpaid leave after ICE arrest
vlog logo
Updated: 11:00 PM CDT Sep 29, 2025
Editorial Standards
Des Moines school officials held a special meeting Monday afternoon after learning that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked Superintendent Ian Roberts’ education license. Video above: Full DMPS school board news conference following move to put Ian Roberts on unpaid leaveSchool board members voted unanimously to put Roberts on unpaid leave — just two days after they put him on paid leave. Roberts' original contract from 2023 and his current contract from July 1, 2025, which includes an annual salary of $286,000, state that he must hold a state-issued license.His current contract goes through June 30, 2028.DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris said they have reached out to Roberts' attorneys for clarification on his immigration status. If proof that he can legally work in the state is not provided by noon Tuesday, she said they will start the process to end his contract."We have asked Dr. Roberts' attorney to provide us with clarification around the citizenship matters by Tuesday at noon," she said. "We need to understand what happened and why. ... Unless we receive new material information by (tomorrow), demonstrating that Dr. Roberts is eligible to work, our board will commence the process required by Iowa (law) ... to end the contract with the superintendent."WATCH: Full statement from DMPS school board chair Jackie Norris after board places superintendent on unpaid leaveThe board put Roberts on paid leave in a special meeting Saturday following his arrest Friday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said agents arrested him because he was in the country illegally, didn't have authorization to work and was subject to a final removal order issued in 2024. ICE agents stopped Roberts while he was driving a school-issued vehicle, and the agency said he then fled into a wooded area before being apprehended with help from Iowa State Patrol officers.Officials claim a loaded gun, hunting knife and $3,000 cash were also in the vehicle.He's being held in the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, about 150 miles from Des Moines.Monday's meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. at Central Campus, 1800 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. vlog plans to air the meeting and livestream it in the video player above.“New information and confirmed facts will continue to inform our decisions as we develop a path forward,” said Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines Public Schools Board. “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.”WATCH: Des Moines mayor provides statement about ICE's arrest of DMPS Superintendent Ian RobertsAccording to a news release from DMPS, the board has reached out to Roberts’ legal representatives.“We hope to hear from Dr. Roberts, but in the interim, we must make decisions that are fact-based, legally sound and in the best interest of our students, staff and families," Norris said.Matthew Smith, who has been an administrator with DMPS since 2013 and most recently was associate superintendent, has been named interim DMPS superintendent. Smith also served as interim superintendent following Tom Ahart's departure in 2022 through the time Roberts was hired.State officials revoke Roberts' licenseState education officials have revoked the administrative license of Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Roberts was first granted a state license on July 11, 2023, following a background check by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.In a letter to Roberts dated Sept. 28, Michael D. Cavin, executive director of the Board of Educational Examiners, wrote: 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 (Iowa Code 256, Iowa Administrative Code 282). The license issued by the Board of Educational Examiners is no longer valid and your authority to serve as superintendent is revoked.Pursuant to Iowa Code 256.151, you may appeal the Executive Director's decision to the Board. If you choose to appeal the Executive Director's decision, you must provide a written letter of appeal. The request for hearing shall specify the factual or legal errors that the applicant contends were made by the executive director, must identify any factual disputes upon which the applicant desires an evidentiary hearing, and may provide additional written information or documents in support of licensure. You should include in the request for appeal a statement of the reason or reasons that you believe provide a basis for reversal of the decision to deny your license application. Address this request for appeal to the Chair, Board of Educational Examiners, 701 E. Court Avenue, Suite A, Des Moines, IA 50309. A written letter of appeal must be received in this office no later than October 28, 2025. WATCH: vlog's full interview with DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris after Superintendent Ian Roberts arrested by ICEMore coverage of Ian Roberts' arrestClose Up: DMPS Board Chair Norris, US Rep. Nunn on ICE arrest of Des Moines superintendent Des Moines Public Schools superintendents Matthew Smith (interim): CurrentDr. Ian Roberts: 2023-2025Matthew Smith (interim): 2022-2023Dr. Thomas Ahart: 2012-2022Dr. Nancy Sebring: 2006-2012Dr. Eric A. Witherspoon: 1998-2006Dr. Gary Wegenke: 1988-1998William Anderson: 1980-1988Dr. Dwight M. Davis: 1964-1980Dr. John H. Harris: 1957-1964Cress O. Hoyt: 1956-1957Newell D. McCombs: 1941-1956A. W. Merrill: 1937-1941John W. Studebaker: 1920-1937Z. C. Thornberg: 1913-1920W. O. Riddell: 1907-1913Source: dmps.org

Des Moines school officials held a special meeting Monday afternoon after learning that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked Superintendent Ian Roberts’ education license.

Video above: Full DMPS school board news conference following move to put Ian Roberts on unpaid leave

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School board members voted unanimously to put Roberts on unpaid leave — just two days after they put him on paid leave. Roberts' original contract from 2023 and his current contract from July 1, 2025, which includes an annual salary of $286,000, state that he must hold a state-issued license.

His current contract goes through June 30, 2028.

DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris said they have reached out to Roberts' attorneys for clarification on his immigration status. If proof that he can legally work in the state is not provided by noon Tuesday, she said they will start the process to end his contract.

"We have asked Dr. Roberts' attorney to provide us with clarification around the citizenship matters by Tuesday at noon," she said. "We need to understand what happened and why. ... Unless we receive new material information by (tomorrow), demonstrating that Dr. Roberts is eligible to work, our board will commence the process required by Iowa (law) ... to end the contract with the superintendent."

WATCH: Full statement from DMPS school board chair Jackie Norris after board places superintendent on unpaid leave

The board put Roberts on paid leave in a special meeting Saturday following his arrest Friday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said agents arrested him because he was in the country illegally, didn't have authorization to work and was subject to a final removal order issued in 2024. ICE agents stopped Roberts while he was driving a school-issued vehicle, and the agency said he then fled into a wooded area before being apprehended with help from Iowa State Patrol officers.

Officials claim a loaded gun, hunting knife and $3,000 cash were also in the vehicle.

He's being held in the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, about 150 miles from Des Moines.

Monday's meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. at Central Campus, 1800 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. vlog plans to air the meeting and livestream it in the video player above.

“New information and confirmed facts will continue to inform our decisions as we develop a path forward,” said Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines Public Schools Board. “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.”

WATCH: Des Moines mayor provides statement about ICE's arrest of DMPS Superintendent Ian Roberts

According to a news release from DMPS, the board has reached out to Roberts’ legal representatives.

“We hope to hear from Dr. Roberts, but in the interim, we must make decisions that are fact-based, legally sound and in the best interest of our students, staff and families," Norris said.

, who has been an administrator with DMPS since 2013 and most recently was associate superintendent, has been named interim DMPS superintendent. Smith also served as interim superintendent following Tom Ahart's departure in 2022 through the time Roberts was hired.

State officials revoke Roberts' license

State education officials have of Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.

Roberts was first granted a state license on July 11, 2023, following a background check by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

In a letter to Roberts dated Sept. 28, Michael D. Cavin, executive director of the Board of Educational Examiners, wrote:

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 (Iowa Code 256, Iowa Administrative Code 282). The license issued by the Board of Educational Examiners is no longer valid and your authority to serve as superintendent is revoked.

Pursuant to Iowa Code 256.151, you may appeal the Executive Director's decision to the Board. If you choose to appeal the Executive Director's decision, you must provide a written letter of appeal. The request for hearing shall specify the factual or legal errors that the applicant contends were made by the executive director, must identify any factual disputes upon which the applicant desires an evidentiary hearing, and may provide additional written information or documents in support of licensure. You should include in the request for appeal a statement of the reason or reasons that you believe provide a basis for reversal of the decision to deny your license application. Address this request for appeal to the Chair, Board of Educational Examiners, 701 E. Court Avenue, Suite A, Des Moines, IA 50309. A written letter of appeal must be received in this office no later than October 28, 2025.

WATCH: vlog's full interview with DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris after Superintendent Ian Roberts arrested by ICE


More coverage of Ian Roberts' arrest

Close Up: DMPS Board Chair Norris, US Rep. Nunn on ICE arrest of Des Moines superintendent

Des Moines Public Schools superintendents

  • Matthew Smith (interim): Current
  • Dr. Ian Roberts: 2023-2025
  • Matthew Smith (interim): 2022-2023
  • Dr. Thomas Ahart: 2012-2022
  • Dr. Nancy Sebring: 2006-2012
  • Dr. Eric A. Witherspoon: 1998-2006
  • Dr. Gary Wegenke: 1988-1998
  • William Anderson: 1980-1988
  • Dr. Dwight M. Davis: 1964-1980
  • Dr. John H. Harris: 1957-1964
  • Cress O. Hoyt: 1956-1957
  • Newell D. McCombs: 1941-1956
  • A. W. Merrill: 1937-1941
  • John W. Studebaker: 1920-1937
  • Z. C. Thornberg: 1913-1920
  • W. O. Riddell: 1907-1913

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