Des Moines school superintendent claimed to be U.S. citizen when applying for the job

[dalton99a]

Last edited Fri Oct 3, 2025, 06:03 PM - Edit history (3)

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2025/09/27/dmps-board-meeting-superintendent-ian-roberts-arrested-ice/86377063007/

Des Moines school board votes to put Superintendent Ian Roberts on leave after ICE arrest
Samantha Hernandez and Kate Kealey

Des Moines Public Schools has placed Superintendent Ian Roberts, 54, on administrative leave following his arrest and detention by ICE on Sept. 26 over accusations he is in the country illegally.

The Des Moines School Board voted unanimously to put Roberts on paid leave. Associate Superintendent Matt Smith is serving as interim superintendent.

The board called the special meeting after U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement arrested Roberts on the morning of Sept. 26, accusing him of being in the United States illegally.

In May 2024, a court issued a "final order of removal" calling for the Guyana native's deportation, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. Roberts was arrested as part of a "targeted enforcement operation, DHS said.

Des Moines school board Chair Jackie Norris said Roberts' arrest came as a shock to board members, who were not aware of any citizenship issues facing Roberts.

"Everything the district has on file indicates that Dr. Roberts affirmed that he was a citizen who was eligible to work in the school district," Norris said.

School officials and the Iowa Department of Education have both said Roberts indicated on forms he was an American citizen and had passed several background checks.

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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2025/10/01/des-moines-school-board-deceived-by-ian-roberts/86466296007/

Des Moines school board is 'a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts,' new statement says

As more inconsistencies arise about the history and status of former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts arise, the Des Moines School Board says in a statement that it is "is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts."

The Wednesday, Oct. 1, statement also says the board is "committed to the community we serve and will find ways to improve our entire process as we move forward."

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Roberts, a native of Guyana, on Sept. 26. In quick succession, the School Board placed him on leave, Iowa removed his administrator's license, and he resigned from his post. The School Board accepted his resignation late Tuesday, Sept. 30. Federal officials have said he had a previously unreported final order of removal an immigration judge issued May 29, 2024.

Des Moines Public Schools and Iowa Department of Education officials have both said Roberts identified himself as an American citizen on school documentation and background checks in 2023.

Since his arrest, the Des Moines Register has reported he did not have a doctorate from Morgan State University, as he frequently claimed, and schools also disputed some of the other academic credentials and honors he has said he earned.

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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2025/10/01/dmps-superintendent-ian-andre-roberts-did-not-attend-mit-university-says/86454972007/

MIT, George Washington dispute Ian Roberts' claims about academic credentials, honors

Two more universities have denied claims from Des Moines Public Schools’ former superintendent about his education and accomplishments, raising more questions about how thoroughly the district vetted his application.

Ian Roberts, whom U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested Friday amid allegations that a judge revoked his work authorization, has listed the MIT Sloan School of Management among the schools where he studied. However, a university spokesperson told the Des Moines Register that the school does not have records of Roberts attending.

“The MIT Registrar’s Office has no record of enrollment for a person with the name Ian Andre Roberts,” spokesperson Sarah McDonnell said in an email.

In addition, DMPS officials wrote in a 2023 news release announcing Roberts’ hire that he had previously been honored by the George Washington University as its District of Columbia “Principal of the Year.” But a George Washington spokesperson told the Register on Tuesday, “The university has no record of awarding such recognition to DC principals, and did not present this award.”

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https://www.kcci.com/article/ian-roberts-resume-cover-letter-des-moines-superintendent-job/68815145

See full cover letter, resume Ian Roberts provided in application for Des Moines superintendent