The Des Moines School Board has approved a two-year contract for long-time Associate Superintendent Matt Smith to act as interim superintendent — less than two weeks after district chief Ian Roberts was arrested over a 2024 deportation order.

The board unanimously appointed Smith, 49, following a short special session Thursday, Oct. 9. Smith has been with Iowa’s largest and most diverse school district since 2010, when he was hired as a principal at North High School, and has held the title of associate superintendent since 2018 .

“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,” said board Chair Jackie Norris, in the same news release. “Matt not only brings stability but als

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