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Arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent motivates proposed changes to state K-12 education policies
Republican state legislators are advancing bills that would strengthen requirements for educators’ hiring and licensing, and increase penalties for school applicants who falsify resume information
Feb. 5, 2026 10:15 am
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DES MOINES — The arrest and guilty plea on federal immigration and gun charges of a former superintendent at the state’s largest school district is driving legislative policy proposals at the Iowa Capitol.
Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday advanced bills that would strengthen requirements for how state agencies license and local school districts hire staff, and would increase penalties for staff applicants who provide false information about their academic credentials.
Both proposals have direct ties to the case of Ian Roberts, the former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent who last year was arrested by federal immigration officers and last month pleaded guilty to immigration and gun charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
After Roberts’ arrest last fall, the Des Moines school district learned of questions over whether Roberts was living in the U.S. legally and thus eligible to work for the district, and that he had falsified academic credentials on his resume.
Those issues are at the heart of legislation proposed by majority Republicans in the Iowa Legislature. The two bills both advanced in legislative hearings Wednesday at the Capitol.
“We’re looking for more bite, we’re looking for more things we can do to discourage what happened in the Des Moines school district,” Rep. Chad Behn, a Republican from Boone, said during discussion over one of the bills during a meeting of the Iowa House Education Committee on Wednesday.
The House Education Committee also on Wednesday heard testimony from Des Moines Public Schools leaders about the Roberts case.
Verifying educators’ work eligibility
School districts would be required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all employees, and state regulators to confirm the lawful presence of any individuals who apply for a state license under legislation proposed in the Iowa Senate.
Senate Study Bill 3015 was approved Wednesday by the Iowa Senate Education Committee and is now eligible for debate by the full Iowa Senate.
Legislators discussed possible amendments to the legislation to clarify legal language regarding citizenship and legal work status, but when the committee voted to advance the bill, it was supported by both Republicans and Democrats.
Increasing penalties for academic resume fraud
Applicants to Iowa education positions who falsely claim to possess an academic degree or other academic credentials would be guilty of a felony under legislation in the Iowa House.
House File 2091 would make the offense a Class D felony, which in Iowa is punishable up to five years in jail and a fine between $1,025 and $10,245.
The bill passed out of the House Education Committee on Wednesday on a mostly party-line vote — Rep. Dan Gosa, a Democrat from Davenport, joined all Republicans in supporting the bill, while all other Democrats voted against it — and is now eligible for debate by the full Iowa House.
Other K-12 education policy bills advancing
Republican legislators also passed out of committee the following education policy and funding bills, making them eligible for floor debate in their respective chambers:
- Iowa law would state students’ rights to religious, political and ideological speech and expression in Iowa public schools, including in classrooms, student clubs and school activities, under legislation approved along party lines by the House Education Committee. Democrats argued House File 2106 is unnecessary given free speech protections guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, while Republicans argued it is necessary to ensure even application of free speech standards to Iowa students statewide.
- State general K-12 school funding would increase 1.75 percent under Senate Study Bill 3100, which was approved on a party-line vote by the Senate Education Committee. The proposal is less than the 2 percent increase proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Democrats decried the proposal as inadequate and a danger to schools and students, while Republicans classified it as responsible and sustainable.
Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com
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