(Des Moines, IA) -- A state audit of the Des Moines Public School System is being requested by the district's interim superintendent.
The formal request comes amid calls to the State Auditor to look into district finances, following the arrest and resignation of former Superintendent Ian Roberts. Roberts is jailed on charges he was in the US illegally and on federal gun charges.
A press release says while the district has earned clean audits for more than a decade and the audit will cost the district additional money, the board and interim superintendent are committed to a high level of visibility and accountability.
"We have strong processes, but we welcome third-party validation of these efforts and that is why we have made this request," Interim Superintendent Matt Smith said.
The formal request was made following calls from the State Auditor, who was unable to conduct the review unless it was sought by a district employee or by citizen petition.