Ian Roberts, the leader of Des Moines’ schools who was detained by immigration agents last week, is resigning, his lawyer said Tuesday.
“We will today be sending a letter to the Des Moines school board authorized by Dr. Roberts to resign his position as the superintendent of Des Moines public schools,” his attorney Alfredo Parrish said during a news conference.
“Out of concern for his 30,000 students, Dr. Roberts does not want to distract the Board, educators, and staff from focusing on educating DMPS’s students,” the letter said.
The school board voted Tuesday evening 7-0 to accept Roberts’ resignation.
Roberts was detained Friday morning by immigration agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which said the educator was in the country illegally and had existing weapon possession charges.
He was placed on paid and then unpaid leave by the Des Moines School Board. The board had given him a deadline of Tuesday afternoon to clarify his citizenship status.
Parrish said his office filed a motion to stay Monday for Roberts’ case, and he was in the process of filing a motion to reopen the case as of Tuesday.
“We’re not at liberty to talk about that motion to stay today, we’re in the process of filing a motion to reopen the case,” Parrish said.
The school board held a closed session special meeting on Tuesday and shortly after, issued a statement.
“This is not what we anticipated when we welcomed Dr. Ian Roberts into Central Iowa and the Des Moines school district a little more than two years ago,” Board Chair Jackie Norris said Tuesday while reading from a piece of paper. “It is a sad and troubling end for an individual who gave many people, especially our students, hope.”
Justice Department opens investigation
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) over its employment practices, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.
“DEI initiatives and race-based hiring preferences in our schools violate federal anti-discrimination laws and undermine educational priorities,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, according to the release.
“School districts must cease these unlawful programs and restore merit-based employment practices for the benefit of both students and employees,” she added.
Skylar Mayberry-Mayes – vice chair of the board – said all information regarding Roberts’ detainment, immigration records or eligibility should be referred to DHS or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and that the district is cooperating with state and federal authorities.
“We must begin the process of moving forward together,” Mayberry-Mayes said Tuesday. “Our district is more than one person.”
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
