Ian Roberts was superintendent of Des Moines public schools, the largest school district in the state<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The superintendent of Iowa<\/a>\u2019s largest school district has had his education license revoked by state education officials following his arrest last week by US Immigration<\/a> and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines public schools (DMPS), was detained by Ice agents<\/a> on Friday morning in what the Department of Homeland Security described as a \u201ctargeted enforcement operation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a statement to the Guardian last week, DHS officials said<\/a> Roberts, who is a native of Guyana, was arrested because he had \u201ca final order of removal and no work authorization\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ice officials also said that Roberts \u201chas existing weapon possession charges from February 5, 2020\u201d and he entered the US \u201cin 1999 on a student visa and was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May of 2024\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ice officials said<\/a> that when Roberts was arrested on Friday, he was found in possession of a loaded handgun and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating how he obtained it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following his arrest, Iowa\u2019s board of educational examiners appears to have revoked Roberts\u2019s education license. According to the board\u2019s website<\/a>, the revocation was issued on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a letter<\/a> dated 28 September and addressed to Roberts, the board\u2019s executive director, Michael Cavin, wrote that their office had \u201creceived information that you no longer possess legal presence in the United States, therefore you [are] not able to hold a license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational examiners\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The letter states that the license issued to Roberts is \u201cno longer valid\u201d and that his \u201cauthority to serve as superintendent is revoked\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The letter states that Roberts has until 28 October to appeal the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Saturday, the Des Moines school board voted to<\/a> place Roberts on administrative leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roberts, 54, began his term<\/a> as superintendent of Des Moines schools in July 2023. Prior to joining DMPS, he served as superintendent of the Millcreek Township school district in Pennsylvania for three years, according to the Iowa district\u2019s 2023 announcement<\/a> of Roberts\u2019 appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The announcement also stated that Roberts \u201cwas born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Friday, Jackie Norris, the Des Moines school board president, said<\/a> that Roberts has been an \u201cintegral part of our school community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The district also said<\/a> in a statement: \u201cRoberts has a previous firearm charge related to a hunting rifle which he disclosed to the DMPS Board during the hiring process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process,\u201d they added. \u201cHe has also spoken publicly about this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The district said on Saturday<\/a> that \u201ceverything the district has on file indicates Dr. Robert [sic] affirmed that he was a citizen who was eligible to work for the school district\u201d and a \u201ccomprehensive background check\u201d was completed as part of the hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Monday, the Des Moines school district said<\/a> in a news release it had learned the Iowa board of educational examiners had officially revoked Roberts\u2019 education license to practice in the state of Iowa, and the school board is now scheduled to take action to place Roberts on unpaid administrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis action is required by law,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norris said in the release that \u201cnew information and confirmed facts will continue to inform our decisions as we develop a path forward\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTwo things can be true at the same time \u2013 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,\u201d Norris added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the news release, the board also said it had<\/a> reached out to Roberts\u2019s counsel and \u201chopes to soon have more information that will guide the Board\u2019s next steps\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Des Moines public schools board special meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon to \u201cconsider new information that has been learned relating to the detainment of Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the\u2002Des Moines Register<\/a>, Roberts is currently being held at Woodbury county Jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n