A Criminal Illegal Alien Superintendent Is The Inevitable Result Of Leftists Controlling Public Schools

The problematic hiring practices within the American public education system, particularly focusing on Ian Andre Roberts, who served as the superintendent of Des Moines schools and was found to have a long history of legal issues. The piece argues that public education is suffering due to political biases and a lack of meritocracy in leadership roles.

1. Background on Ian Andre Roberts

• Ian Andre Roberts was recently exposed for violating immigration and firearm laws for nearly 30 years.

• Many are surprised at how he became a superintendent in a conservative state like Iowa, suggesting that this is a result of leftist ideologies governing public education.

2. Choosing Leadership Based on Ideology

• The hiring of Roberts is criticized as a symptom of a broader leftist trend of prioritizing political alignment over qualifications in public school leadership.

• It is suggested that a closed-door school board meeting led by figures such as Jackie Norris resulted in his hiring, despite any red flags about his background.

3. Impact of Ineffective Leadership

• Roberts’s leadership is said to contribute to a decline in academic standards and an increase in disruptive behavior within schools.

• The article argues that policies under his direction favored lesser-qualified individuals in teaching and administrative roles, thus undermining educational quality.

4. Critique of School Boards

• The role of school boards is questioned, as they often consist of non-educators with little understanding of teaching, yet they make significant decisions that impact teachers and students.

• School boards are seen as prone to political influences, often siding with ideologically favorable candidates over experienced professionals.

5. Proposal for Reform

• The article suggests eliminating school boards or modifying their powers to focus more on merit-based hiring and standards in education.

• It encourages reconsideration of how public schools are governed to better serve educational goals rather than political agendas.

6. Political Implications

• The piece highlights the ongoing conflict between political ideologies in education, asserting that leftist influences create barriers to effective governance and hinder the educational mission.

• It warns that any attempts to implement such reforms will likely be met with resistance from those who benefit from the current political structure.

The case of Ian Andre Roberts serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges facing the American public education system. It emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of how public schools are managed and how decisions are made regarding leadership to ensure that education can fulfill its purpose without the hindrance of political agendas. The article calls for a meritocratic approach in school governance to prioritize the needs of students and educators alike. 

https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/10/a-criminal-ilegal-alien-superintendent-is-the-inevitable-result-of-leftists-controlling-public-schools/