New DMPS superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts shares what's to come for the district in sit-down interview

As the thousands of families that are a part of the Des Moines Public Schools district see the start of a new school year, they will also see what the new superintendent has in store. Dr. Ian Roberts officially took over as DMPS's 15th superintendent on July 1. "I'm excited about being here and the first month really bodes well for what is to come," Roberts said. "I've had the opportunity to visit schools where students are in summer programs and to interact with them to hear from them." Roberts settled into his new role, leading a district of around 31,000 students and 5,000 staff members. Previously, Roberts was the superintendent at Millcreek Township School District in northwest Pennsylvania. Before that, Roberts held leadership roles in school districts across the country: Baltimore, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Roberts tells KCCI he's already had a chance to speak with many DMPS students this summer. "Students have said that we just want to make sure that we can see you in our schools and they are going to get that from me," Roberts said. As a longtime educator, Roberts also tells KCCI he plans to focus on teachers and staff. "Instead of this thinking that these individuals are working for us, it's the other way around," Roberts said. "We are working for them and on their behalf. I want to make sure that they are getting all the resources that they need." During his sit-down interview with KCCI, Roberts also touched on how he and the district will handle new laws impacting schools, the relationship between the state and district, what he hopes to bring to the district, and more. KCCI will have more of that interview on our program Close Up, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.