In 2023, the Des Moines School Board made headlines by appointing Ian Andre Roberts as the Superintendent of Schools, rewarding him with what can only be described as an eye-poppingly generous contract within the realm of Iowa public education.
His starting salary was set at $270,000—a figure that stands in stark contrast to the typical earnings of teachers in the state, who struggle to cross the $50,000 threshold. One might think such disparities in compensation would raise eyebrows. But the shocking part of this tale isn’t just the salary; it’s the backstory of the man receiving it.
Roberts has gained notoriety as an illegal immigrant with a criminal record spanning several decades. The Department of Homeland Security has now pieced together the timeline of his immigration and criminal history, and the details are less than reassuring.
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Roberts first arrived in the United States in 1994 under a tourist visa. Fast forward to 1996, and he had already attracted the attention of law enforcement in New York for narcotics possession with intent to distribute, forgery, and possessing a counterfeit document.
Just two years later, he faced charges in Queens for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Yet, despite this rocky start, he somehow managed to re-enter the United States multiple times on student visas, filling out work permit applications and even making attempts to secure permanent residency—each application met with a resounding denial.
His attempts at legal residency were thwarted time and again—in 2001, 2018, and 2020. However, Roberts continued to navigate the system, adding further criminal offenses along the way. In 2012, he was convicted in Maryland for reckless driving. Fast-forward to 2020, where he was charged with weapon-related offenses in New York, and then in Pennsylvania in 2022 for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm.
His saga took another turn in September 2025, when he was arrested in Des Moines while in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He now faces charges as an illegal alien found with firearms.
This raises a critical question: how could the Des Moines School Board think it prudent to place the education of over 30,000 Iowa students in Roberts’ hands?
The answer appears to lie squarely with the Des Moines School Board. They either conducted insufficient due diligence or, perhaps even more troubling, opted to ignore the facts staring them in the face.
Both possibilities paint a bleak picture.
At the helm of this controversy is Jackie Norris, Board Chair who oversaw Roberts’ appointment. Norris is not your typical education professional; she has deep ties in the political realm, having served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.
This connection compels us to question the motivations behind Roberts’ hiring. Was it merit that earned him this role, or was political loyalty prioritized over integrity and qualifications?
The evidence against Roberts is damning: his extensive criminal history and immigration violations render him unfit for a position of public trust.
Yet, he was granted one of the most pivotal roles in Iowa’s education system. In light of this, it is time for the entire Des Moines School Board to step down.
Families in Iowa deserve representatives who not only understand but respect the law, not those who undermine it.
