The Des Moines School Board has taken decisive action by placing Superintendent Ian Roberts on unpaid administrative leave after his administrator license was revoked by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The revocation came swiftly following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the revelation that he is under a removal order due to his legal status in the United States.

Superintendent Roberts, who had been serving as the head of Iowa’s largest school district, was arrested last Friday. According to ICE, the arrest occurred under dramatic circumstances: Roberts allegedly fled from a traffic stop, leaving behind a school district vehicle that contained a loaded handgun, a knife, and a sum of cash. The firearm issue has since been escalated to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation.

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked Roberts's license on the following day, citing Iowa Code § 256.151, which necessitates valid legal presence in the U.S. for holding such a license. Roberts has until October 28 to appeal the decision to the full board.

In a statement, Board Chair Jackie Norris outlined the gravity of the situation, noting that the district was notified by the Department of Homeland Security of Roberts's status as an unauthorized worker in May 2024. This included a final removal order. The school board has emphasized that Roberts's contract explicitly requires him to maintain a valid state administrator license and the legal ability to work in the U.S. His legal team has been given a deadline to provide evidence supporting his work eligibility, failing which the board will proceed with actions as per Iowa Code Chapter 279 concerning his contract.

Roberts, originally from Guyana, first came to the U.S. on a student visa in 1999. Over the years, he has worked in various educational roles across the country, culminating in his 2023 appointment as the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. ICE has also noted that Roberts has prior weapons-related charges on his record.

The unfolding events have shaken the local community and raised significant concerns about the oversight and vetting processes within the educational system. As the situation develops, the focus remains on maintaining stability and integrity within the Des Moines School District.