Imagine a school district rocked by scandal, where the top leader's sudden exit leaves thousands of students and families in limbo—now, that's the dramatic backdrop to the Des Moines School Board's bold move to secure stability. But here's where it gets controversial: just days after a shocking arrest, they've handed a two-year contract to a familiar face, sparking debates about trust, transparency, and what really matters in education leadership. Stick around, because this story dives deep into the details, and you might find yourself questioning how such upheavals shape the future of our kids' learning environments.
In a unanimous decision during a brief special meeting on Thursday, October 9, the Des Moines School Board greenlit a two-year agreement for Matt Smith, the long-serving Associate Superintendent, to step in as interim superintendent. This comes barely two weeks after the district's previous chief, Ian Roberts, was taken into custody by immigration authorities amid a 2024 deportation order. Smith, at 49 years old, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having joined Iowa's biggest and most varied school system back in 2010 as the principal of North High School. By 2018, he'd risen to associate superintendent, a position he's held ever since, as detailed in a previous Des Moines Register article.
The contract Smith signed extends through the 2026-27 academic year, with a base salary of $286,716, according to an official news release from Des Moines Public Schools. Board Chair Jackie Norris praised him in the same statement, saying, 'Matt Smith is an experienced leader who has demonstrated time and time again his commitment and dedication to our students and the entire Des Moines community. Matt not only brings stability but also the energy and enthusiasm we want at the helm of DMPS, including being a true leader on our Reimagining Education initiative.'
Under the district's pre-approved succession strategy, Smith seamlessly assumed the interim role right after Roberts' arrest became public. Interestingly, this isn't his first rodeo in this position—he previously filled in as interim superintendent in 2022, following the departure of Tom Ahart. Ahart had faced significant backlash for his management of the district during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how leadership transitions can be fraught with challenges.
For nearly two years, Smith has been a key player in driving DMPS's ambitious Reimagining Education, Reinvigorating Schools initiative. This plan aims to overhaul the district to boost student retention and enhance academic success. It includes bold steps like shutting down three schools, constructing a brand-new elementary building, broadening access to full-day preschool for 4-year-olds, and introducing more interactive, hands-on learning experiences. To fund much of this construction, residents within the Des Moines Public Schools boundaries will vote on November 4 about approving a $265 million general obligation bond—a type of municipal bond backed by the district's ability to levy taxes, meaning if it passes with at least 60% approval, it could directly support these improvements without raising individual property taxes beyond what's needed.
And this is the part most people miss: the turmoil began when Roberts was arrested on September 26 while heading to an elementary school event. In the hours and days that followed, revelations emerged that Roberts, a native of Guyana hired in 2023, wasn't a U.S. citizen and had been employed without proper authorization since at least 2020. Even more startling, he'd falsified parts of his academic background and failed to mention prior firearms-related charges or the deportation order to the school district.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and DMPS leaders noted that Roberts had represented himself as an American citizen on background check forms. Consequently, before his resignation, the board revoked his Iowa administrator license and put him on administrative leave. The district's release didn't specify when they'd start hunting for a permanent replacement for the top spot, leaving many wondering about the long-term vision.
Smith's own credentials are impressive: he holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from Baylor University and a Master of Education in educational leadership from Sam Houston University, as per the district's announcement. His career kicked off in 1999 as a teacher in Texas's Aldine Independent School District. In his own words from the release, 'Des Moines Public Schools has not just been a job for me, it’s the place I trust with the education of my own children. The care and love our teachers and staff have for every student who walks through our doors is a daily inspiration to me.'
Now, let's talk controversy—because this situation raises eyebrows on multiple fronts. Was the hiring process for Roberts thorough enough, or did red flags get overlooked in the rush to fill a key role? And with Smith's contract locking in stability, is this the best path forward, or could it stifle fresh perspectives? Some might argue that the bond vote is a no-brainer for better schools, but others worry about the financial burden on taxpayers, especially in a diverse district like Des Moines. What do you think—does prioritizing continuity over a full search make sense, or should the board have paused for a more open competition? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree this is a smart fix or if there's a counterpoint I'm missing. After all, education decisions affect us all, and voices like yours can spark real change.
