Des Moines School Board votes to place superintendent on unpaid leave, could fire him later today

DES MOINES — The Des Moines School Board voted Monday night to place Ian Roberts on unpaid administrative leave, and the board may begin the process of firing the superintendent later today.

Roberts was hired by the state’s largest school district to be superintendent in July 2023. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked his administrator’s license two days after his arrest by federal immigration agents. Federal officials say Roberts is a citizen of Guyana who entered the United States on a student visa in 1999 and is not authorized to work in the US.

The Des Moines School Board as part of their vote Monday night said that Roberts, through his attorney, has until noon today to clarify his citizenship or face termination.

School Board president Jackie Norris says Roberts indicated he was a citizen of the United States when he was hired, provided a driver’s license and a Social Security card — and the Des Moines law firm that reviewed the paperwork did not raise concerns about Roberts’ eligibility to work.