Des Moines Register: Tom Ahart is leaving Des Moines Public Schools after nearly a decade as superintendent. He announced his decision at an 11 a.m. news conference. His resignation will be effective June 30. Ahart’s exit comes one year ahead of his contract’s end date. Last year, the Des Moines school board decided not to extend his contract past 2023. Ahart’s statewide profile rose during the coronavirus pandemic when he defied the state by keeping students home and classes online for the first two weeks of the 2020-21 school year. At the time, the state required offering in-person learning for at least 50% of students.