In brief
Ian Roberts, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and subsequently had his professional license revoked by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The board acted after receiving notice from the Department of Homeland Security regarding Roberts' unauthorized status in the country. He was found to possess a loaded handgun and cash at the time of his arrest. The school board voted to put him on unpaid leave, with his attorney given a chance to contest his situation. The case has raised alarm in the local community, with calls for clarity in the handling of the case.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In a shocking development for the educational community, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked the professional license of Ian Roberts, the leader of Iowa’s largest school district, on Monday. This decision came just days after federal agents arrested him on charges of living and working in the United States illegally. The board's letter stated that Roberts is ineligible to hold a license due to his lack of legal presence in the country. Roberts, originally from Guyana, entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, as confirmed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After a traffic stop in Des Moines, he was detained while allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 cash. A final removal order was issued against him in May 2024. The Des Moines school officials claimed they were previously unaware of Roberts' legal status, as he had provided documentation verifying his citizenship upon hiring in 2023. Following the news of his arrest, the school board unanimously decided to place Roberts on unpaid leave, with his salary amounting to $286,716. His employment contract, set to extend through June 2028, requires him to hold a state certification. The board received information from the Department of Homeland Security that Roberts was unauthorized to work in the U.S. and set a deadline for his attorney to respond before potentially moving to terminate his employment. Board chair Jackie Norris expressed the need to understand the situation thoroughly and emphasized the impact of Roberts' arrest on the community, particularly on students who had formed a bond with him. Roberts' legal representative did not respond to requests for comments. As speculation grows regarding the details of his arrest, including past weapon charges and the legality of his firearm possession, the implications of this case on the Des Moines school district continue to unfold.
