DES MOINES, Iowa — It has been a week and a half since DMPS Superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Roberts is accused of being in the country illegally and faces a federal firearms charge. He allegedly fled from officers and then taken into custody. Officers found a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade knife and $3,000 in cash in his possession.

The Des Moines School Board has received criticism for allowing Roberts to be hired for the job in the first place. The district took legal action against the third party hiring firm, JG Consulting, just last week for, what the district alleges, not providing the information about Roberts that has become public since his arrest.

On November 4, four school board positions will be up for election. There are two incumbents that are looking to retain their positions and three candidates looking to get a seat at the table.

WHO 13 News interviewed two at-large candidates on Monday: Marcus Coenen and Sara Hopkins. Both commented on the board’s actions hiring Roberts and the board’s actions since he was arrested.

“One of the things that stands out to me as being a concern when it came out was the idea that the school board is also, you know, a victim of the process,” said Marcus Coenen. “When really the school board is who set the process of hiring the superintendent.”

“Obviously things were overlooked, I don’t know the details behind that. But moving forward we have to figure out what the root cause of that was,” said Sara Hopkins. “How did it happen, and we need to make sure that it never happens again.”

Both called for a more transparent process when hiring the next leader of the district; while being concerned about the focus being lost on the students with the events of the last week and a half. Who are these two candidates that are seeking this position? Both threw their hats into the ring before the arrest of Roberts.

Marcus Coenen is an urban planner by background. He spent six years with the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association as the president. Coenen has two young daughters, with one of them just starting school in the district 18 months ago. Coenen said that he has always had a love for public service and community engagement and service. In the wake of Roberts, Coenen wants the focus to resume on providing a high quality education for the 30,000 students. While making sure the workplace is one of the best for the 5,000 staff members. He tipped his hat to Roberts and the work he had done to increase student performance in his short tenure. You can learn more about Coenen on his social media page.

“You can’t trust somebody if they’re only attending a meeting and that’s the only time you ever see them, right?,” said Coenen. “Engage with students, engage with teachers, engage with administrators so that we really understand and I really understand what’s happening in the district and so we’re making informed decisions and that are in the best interests of our community and for our parents and for our students.”

Sara Hopkins is a realtor in town, and is a graduate of East High School in Des Moines. She has two kids that are currently enrolled in the district. She said through her real estate work she has seen people moving out of the district, and she knows the impact schools have retaining community members. Because of what she has seen in her profession, she wants to help DMPS succeed. Hopkins has frustrations with the national narrative around the district after Roberts’ arrest. She added that now more than ever the community needs to throw their arms around the district and support it. Learn more about Hopkins on her campaign website.

“Our district needs to understand that everybody who lives in our city should be treated like our clients and we want them to choose to join public schools,” said Hopkins. “So that starts with listening and understanding what is important, listening to the teachers, listening to the frustrations, admitting when things need to be changed and figuring out how to make it so that people say ‘I want to live in Des Moines because I want to go to the public schools’.”

Both back the $265 million bond referendum that is also on the ballot for Des Moines voters in November; while acknowledging that it may be more difficult for it now to pass after Roberts’ arrest.

Current at-large board member Maria Alonzo is also seeking reelection for her seat. Out of these three candidates, two will win those seats with the other at-large member Jackie Norris not seeking reelection.

Skylar Mayberry-Mayes is seeking reelection in District 4, he is an incumbent. Ryan Howell is seeking election in District 2, he is a newcomer. View the list of candidates and learn more about the bond referendum on the Polk County Auditor’s website.