Who is Des Moines Public Schools' new superintendent? What you need to know:

Millcreek Township School District Superintendent Ian Roberts has been chosen as Des Moines Public Schools' next leader at a time when Iowa schools are navigating new laws restricting curriculum, books and the rights of LGBTQ students.

The Des Moines School Board unanimously approved hiring Roberts during their regular school board meeting Tuesday.

Like his predecessor, longtime Superintendent Tom Ahart, who resigned at the end of the 2021-22 school year, Roberts will face a number of challenges as the district continues to roll out programs and curricula focused on equity in education and improving student outcomes while implementing laws that impact what can be taught in Iowa schools.

More: Des Moines names ex-Olympian as superintendent — first person of color to lead district

After the board meeting, Roberts discussed which lessons he learned while at Millcreek he plans to bring to Des Moines schools.

"Ultimately, as an educational organization, you want to make sure that your leaders are modeling what it means to be committed on the instructional outcomes," Roberts said in an interview after the meeting. "The second will certainly be our focus on data-driven decision-making. Every single decision that is made, from the superintendent's office, down to our operational staff, was always grounded and anchored in qualitative and quantitative data. I hope to bring those to this district as well."

Roberts takes over from Interim Superintendent Matt Smith July 1.

Here is what you need to know about Roberts:

Who is Ian Roberts?

Roberts, a 52-year-old Brooklyn, New York, native, is the son of immigrant parents from Guyana in South America. He is married and has four dogs.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore and received his doctorate in education urban educational leadership and a master’s degree in education from St. John’s University, in Queens, New York City, according to a news release.

Roberts is also a former Olympic athlete, competing in the 2000 Sydney Games in track and field for Guyana as a middle-distance runner.

He is the first person of color to hold the position of superintendent for Iowa's largest and most diverse school district, according to a district spokesperson.

Where was Ian Roberts before Des Moines?

In August 2020, Roberts began a term as superintendent in the Millcreek Township School District, which covers suburban areas outside Erie, Pennsylvania.

Before Millcreek, he worked as the St. Louis Public Schools High School Network superintendent, according to a Des Moines schools' news release. There, he helped coach and support high school and alternative school principals.

He has worked in large and mid-sized cities as a chief schools officer, superintendent of secondary schools, a principal and senior vice president of a charter management organization. These included positions in Baltimore, South Bronx and Washington, D.C.

How do Millcreek schools compare with Des Moines schools?

The Des Moines school district is larger and more diverse than the Millcreek district: Millcreek has about 6,400 students across 10 buildings, with students of color making up about 20 percent of enrollment, according to Pennsylvania state data.

Des Moines Public Schools has about 31,000 students across 64 buildings, with students of color making up roughly two-thirds of enrollment, according to district data.

Roberts resigned from the Millcreek Township schools earlier this month.

Related: Roberts to resign as Millcreek schools superintendent June 30

What are the terms of his superintendent contract?

Roberts — Des Moines' 15th superintendent — will receive a base salary of $270,000 annually as part of his two-year contract. If he receives a favorable "summative evaluation" the board will issue a three-year contract.

The district will provide him with a payment to a "tax-sheltered annuity" of 14% of his annual salary and $600 per month for a car allowance and reimbursement for "all in-district related travel," the contract states.

Why was Ian Roberts' identity kept secret until Tuesday?

The Des Moines School Board chose to select a superintendent to replace Ahart behind closed doors because it said it was necessary to bring in the best pool of candidates. District officials did meet with the public and staff to learn what they wanted in a superintendent.

Education advocates say choosing a superintendent behind closed doors is a growing trend.

What challenges will Ian Roberts face as superintendent?

Roberts will face a number of challenges as he steps into his new role, including students' continued academic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in students facing housing instability, the implementation of several Iowa laws that impact LGBTQ students and staff, and a possible large-scale review of books at the district's 64 schools.

Senate File 496 requires educators to notify parents and guardians if a student is transgender and prohibits the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation to students through sixth grade.

The bill also requires public school districts to remove books by January 2024 that feature sex acts and makes it easier to challenge books in both school libraries and classrooms. The bill awaits the governor's signature.

More: What is a sex act in Iowa? And how would it affect a likely school book ban? We found out:

A separate bill, Senate File 482 — which prohibits people from entering a school restroom or changing room that does not align with their sex at birth — was signed into law this spring and went into effect immediately.

Public school officials across the state also face students leaving public school for private school following the passage of Gov. Kim Reynolds' Students First Act. The act allows families to apply for taxpayer funds — which would have gone to public schools — to send their child to an accredited private school.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who is Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts?