Education
Des Moines Schools Sue Search Firm over Former Superintendent’s Background Check Failures
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against the search firm JG Consulting over alleged failures in vetting former Superintendent Ian Roberts. The school district claims the firm missed crucial background information that led to Roberts’ hiring, including false claims about his education.
The announcement came during a special school board session on Friday. The board alleges negligence and breach of contract, stating that JG Consulting was responsible for conducting thorough application and resume checks, as outlined in their contract.
“The firm failed its duty to properly vet candidates. Ian Roberts should never have been presented as a finalist,” stated Jackie Norris, Chair of the school board. “If we knew what we know now, he never would have been hired.”
Roberts faced scrutiny after his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 26, which brought further attention to his questionable academic claims. Despite listing seven universities on his LinkedIn profile, Roberts provided vague information regarding any degrees obtained.
Roberts has been frequently referred to as “Dr. Roberts” within the district, but he did not earn a Ph.D. from Morgan State University, where he attended without completing a degree. A representative from Morgan State confirmed he pursued a doctorate from fall 2002 to spring 2007 but did not attain it.
The district also noted Roberts misleadingly showcased himself as a graduate student at MIT Sloan School of Management. A spokesperson from MIT confirmed that no record of his enrollment exists.
“We will aggressively pursue any claims against JG Consulting and other parties involved,” Norris added. The board intends to consider additional legal action against another search firm, Ray and Associates Inc., in the coming board meeting.
As the district investigates, Roberts continues to face repercussions over his credentials and claims, raising questions about the integrity of the hiring process.
