In brief
Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, was detained by immigration agents and subsequently resigned after it was disclosed that he falsely claimed to hold a doctoral degree in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University. Despite the school board knowing about the misrepresentation, Roberts was hired to lead the district. The situation raises significant ethical concerns regarding his qualifications and integrity, especially as he faces deportation back to Guyana.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, who was detained last week by immigration agents, falsely claimed a doctoral degree when applying for the job two years ago but was hired even after the school board learned about the misrepresentation. Ian Roberts, who immigration authorities say was living and working in the U.S. illegally and who resigned this week as Des Moines’ superintendent of schools, claimed in his 2023 application that he received a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University in 2007. According to documents The Associated Press obtained through a public records request, although Roberts was enrolled in that doctorate program from 2002 to 2007, the school’s public relations office confirmed that he didn’t receive that degree. The Des Moines school board learned before hiring Roberts that he hadn’t received the degree, but it still chose him to lead the district, which serves about 30,000 students. The background check was conducted by a third party and is not a public record. Roberts' attorney mentioned he is challenging the deportation order to his native Guyana and is scrutinizing the circumstances around Roberts' application omissions. This case underscores potential integrity issues that may arise from misrepresentations in educational qualifications, raising questions about the hiring practices of educational institutions.
