New Des Moines schools' superintendent says he's ready to take on some big challenges
Des Moines Public Schools' new superintendent says he's ready to take on some big challenges.
Ian Roberts was introduced during Tuesday night’s Des Moines School Board meeting.
Roberts, 52, begins his new job July 1, and he will have a full plate of issues to deal with.
"I really believe that there is a great opportunity in the fact that we have a narrow focus on goals and guard rails that would make sure we are grounding every single decision that we make in what is going to produce the best outcomes for students," Roberts said.
Roberts faces several challenges in Des Moines, including a much larger student population — 31,000 compared to Roberts’ current Pennsylvania district of 6,400 — a growing teacher shortage, a battle over a new law that will allow Iowa families to request state money to pay for their child's private school tuition, as well as the threat of school violence.
But Interim Superintendent Matt Smith said Roberts has the experience to deal with the challenges and there's a "bright future ahead."
Smith has been the interim superintendent since June 1, 2022, following the resignation of Tom Ahart.
"We are making sure that we have all the T's crossed and I's dotted to make sure that we have everything in front of him to have the most informed decision to make. In the meantime, we're steady," Smith said.
Roberts is also the first Black superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools.
"It absolutely is important to me because I'm African-American and I feel like Iowa needs a little bit more diversity," Des Moines parent Beatrice Abang-Ntuen said.
