The state board that oversees educator licensing in Iowa has opened a misconduct case against Urbandale Superintendent Rosalie Daca after finding probable cause that she violated several professional and ethical standards.
Daca’s public licensure file on the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' website shows the board voted after a closed session Friday, Nov. 14 to proceed with a case.
The board cited five possible violations of Iowa’s educator Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, including falsifying or omitting material information in compliance reports, failing to follow federal or state laws tied to her duties, failing to protect student and staff safety, and repeatedly falling short of minimum standards as an administrator.
The finding moves the case into the state’s disciplinary process but does not represent a final ruling.
Heather Doe, bureau chief at the Iowa Department of Education, said in an email the board cannot share complaint details, investigative files or deliberations, which are “privileged and confidential” under Iowa law.
Daca, who is on medical leave, did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, school board members said they are aware of the BOEE's findings and, while they cannot address specifics due to personnel confidentiality laws, they dispute the allegations.
"The District believes the findings lack merit, and will work with the BOEE and legal counsel for a fair and expeditious resolution," the statement says. "The District will continue to support Dr. Daca throughout this legal process and remains dedicated to cultivating a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment for all students and staff."
Doe said the board’s probable cause vote was forwarded to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
She said the next step is to complete a contested case process with the attorney general, which may result in a settlement or a hearing before an administrative law judge. That judge would then provide a proposed decision for the Board of Educational Examiners’ consideration, she added.
The board's action comes months after a separate set of BOEE cases involving four current and former Urbandale employees.
Those complaints followed a November 2024 jury verdict that found the district negligent in failing to protect a middle school girl from bullying and repeated sexual assault by a classmate in 2018.
The girl’s parents, Jodi and Michael Safris, said teachers and administrators ignored escalating harassment and missed the assaults occurring in class. The jury found the district at fault but awarded no damages.
In May, the BOEE found probable cause in complaints involving former middle school principal Loren DeKruyf and teachers Eileen Mueller, Kandi Brittain and Benjamin Lighter, forwarding those cases to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for review. A spokesperson for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office said all of those cases, as well as Daca's, have been forwarded to their office and are pending prosecution. They declined further comment.
Doe did not say whether Daca’s case is connected to the Safris case or stems from other issues inside the district.
In an interview, Jodi Safris said she is aware that probable cause was found in Daca’s case and said she is “very grateful to the Board of Educational Examiners for their due diligence and completing the investigation.”
She said her family has been working with the board on the earlier complaints involving district staff and will “help where we can” if asked for input in any additional matters.
Safris did not say whether her family had been told that Daca’s case was directly connected to their complaints but said they view any probable cause finding related to student safety as “a positive step.”
This story was updated to add new information.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at . Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
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