DES MOINES – Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers Friday morning, according to the school board president.
The district does not have confirmed information about why Roberts was detained, Des Moines School Board President Jackie Norris said in a statement. She said the district will provide updates as it is able to confirm information.
Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will immediately step into the role of interim superintendent until further notice, Norris said.
“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris wrote in a statement. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”
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Roberts has served as Des Moines superintendent since July 2023.
As of early Friday afternoon, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website lists an Ian Roberts from Iowa and with an origin country of Guyana as being detained in the Pottawatomie County jail.
ICE did not immediately return a request for comment.
Prior to serving as the 14th superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Roberts was the superintendent of Millcreek Township in Pennsylvania for three years. He was born to immigrant parents from Guyana.
Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana.
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