DES MOINES, Iowa — In a quest for stability for the school district, the Des Moines School Board has approved a two-year contract for Matt Smith to serve as the district’s interim superintendent. The contract goes through the 2026-2027 school year.

The board met on Thursday morning and voted to approve the contract. Smith took on the role of interim superintendent in September following the detention of former superintendent Ian Roberts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Roberts was first placed on paid leave by the board, then unpaid leave, and last week he resigned his position. In early October, Roberts was charged in federal court with being in the country illegally and being in possession of firearms.

In the announcement about Smith’s new contract, School Board Chair Jackie Norris said, “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. Matt not only brings stability but also the energy and enthusiasm we want at the helm of DMPS, including being a true leader on our Reimagining Education initiative.”

The school district is working to enact its Reimagining Education plan by convincing voters to approve a $265 million bond referendum. The initiative aims to upgrade buildings, add career and technical education programs, and expand preschool opportunities. The measure will be on the ballot in November.

The district credits Smith with coordinating much of the work in developing the Reimagining Education plan.

Smith said, “Des Moines Public Schools has not just been a job for me, it’s the place I trust with the education of my own children. The care and love our teachers and staff have for every student who walks through our doors is a daily inspiration to me. I am honored to step back into this position and to help lead an amazing team as we reimagine education and focus on the future.”

Smith joined Des Moines Public Schools in 2010 when he became principal of North High School. In 2013, he joined the district’s administrative team as Executive Director of Learning Services, with a promotion to Chief Schools Officer in 2014. He became the district’s Associate Superintendent in July of 2018 and has previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year.