Des Moines superintendent placed on paid leave after arrest by ICE

News

September 27th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Public School Board voted Saturday to place Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on administrative leave after he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, on Friday. According to KCCI-TV, the vote during Saturday’s (Sept. 27th) special meeting was 7-0.

Their action means Matt Smith, former associate superintendent, will continue as interim superintendent until further notice.

Prior to Saturday’s vote, the board told KCCI that they were aware of a previous gun charge Roberts received in Pennsylvania before he was hired. However, the district said Roberts provided “sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process.” The district says it was not aware of a May 2024 order of removal against Roberts, which required him to leave the United States.

Gov. Reynolds issued the following statement Saturday afternoon, regarding the arrest of Ian Roberts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, September 26, 2025.

“The arrest on Friday of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was shocking, particularly his attempt to evade authorities, and the loaded gun, knife, and large sum of cash found in his vehicle. The investigation is still underway, so I won’t comment on details of the case at this time. But I want to be clear: we are a nation of laws that must be enforced. Those who believe immigration laws are optional are dangerously wrong. When laws are ignored, or when people are led to believe there will be no consequences, our communities are at risk. Iowans won’t stand for that. We must enforce the law, every time, to protect our families and our future.”