Iowa State Auditor Launches Reaudit of Des Moines Public Schools After Qualifying Request

Our Driftless region deserves more than postcards — it deserves a watchdog. Be that support. DES MOINES, Iowa — State Auditor Rob Sand confirmed Wednesday that his office will conduct a reaudit of Des Moines Public Schools after receiving what he described as a legally qualifying request. "The State Auditor's Office received a qualifying request for an audit this afternoon and will conduct procedures at DMPS as a result," Sand said in a press release. "The request itself is confidential in our office's hands and will not be shared." The announcement followed days of political tension surrounding the district's handling of former Superintendent Ian Roberts' arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Roberts' subsequent resignation. Sand held a press conference earlier in the day responding to calls from Republican lawmakers urging him to audit the district. During the briefing, Sand said that while he supports a review of the district's spending related to Roberts, state law limits who can formally request such an audit. "Only a Des Moines school employee, elected Des Moines school board member, or school district voter can ask for an audit," he said. Sand, a Democrat, said the earlier request from three Republican senators did not meet those legal qualifications. "I believe that a further review at Des Moines Public Schools around Ian Roberts' work is important, and I welcome a qualifying request from a DMPS employee, elected official, or a petition from the public to help us do just that," he said. Des Moines Public Schools later confirmed it had submitted a formal audit request, effectively triggering Sand's announcement of the reaudit. The district is already reviewing all expenditures connected to Roberts. Last week, officials disclosed that the school board declined $116,000 in consulting contracts linked to a firm with which Roberts had financial ties. The district ultimately paid the firm more than $6,000 in consulting and travel expenses. In a statement, State Sen. Jesse Green, a Boone Republican and one of the lawmakers who initially pressed for the audit, defended the senators' request. "As legislators, we are permitted to ask the auditor to look into a situation where there are concerns arising, such as the one we are currently facing with Des Moines Public Schools," Green said. "If Sand believes the Auditor of the State of Iowa cannot audit entities where taxpayer dollars are being spent, then what does the state auditor do?" Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra criticized Sand on social media following the press conference, accusing him of partisanship and of failing to condemn the district's leadership: Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.