BUZZ
Morgan State, MIT, George Washington U. all dispute super’s claims
It appears the Des Moines Public Schools Board was a little remiss in its background checks of now-former Superintendent Ian Roberts.
Roberts, in the U.S. illegally (allegedly), was pursued and eventually arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials a week ago Friday.
He officially resigned from the district on Tuesday, the Des Moines Register reports. The board had suspended him with pay shortly after his arrest.
Roberts was the “first person of color” to helm the district, and Board Chair Jackie Norris (Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff) noted he had a “valid license” from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Yet this past week, Morgan State University, MIT, and George Washington University all denied Roberts had received degrees and/or awards from the schools.
Roberts claimed he earned a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State, had completed a program at MIT, and won a District of Columbia “Principal of the Year” award from George Washington U.
Des Moines Public Schools Director of Communications and Public Affairs Phil Roeder conceded the district “took [Roberts] at his word about things like honors and awards,” and that it knew he didn’t have a doctorate from Morgan State when hired.
Roeder added, however, the district did review Roberts’ “criminal records, civil court proceedings, credit reports, sex offender registries, driving records, and academic credentials.”
The district’s previous superintendent had said he “believed [Roberts] was allowed to continue working after receiving a letter from his immigration attorney” back in March.
On Friday, attorney and Spectator Australia columnist Laura Powell reported on X that the Des Moines Public Schools filed a lawsuit against JG Consulting for “failing to properly vet” Roberts.
Also Friday, ICE released more details about Roberts’ criminal background. Charges include “criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell” and “criminal possession of a forgery instrument” (1996), “reckless driving” (2012), and “unlawful possession of a loaded firearm” (2022).
Regarding the reckless driving charge, Des Moines writer Jennifer Cronin noted she once contacted Board Chair Norris about Roberts’ abysmal driving. Norris replied “While not defending his poor driving, I am sympathetic at times because he stands out — flashy clothes and color in Iowa!”
“WE are always watching!” 😆 pic.twitter.com/FfJ9Uz9u6H
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) October 1, 2025
MORE: Superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is in U.S. illegally, arrested by ICE
