The illegal immigrant with a criminal record serving as a school superintendent who was recently nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also lied about other things on his resume — including fabricating a doctoral degree.
Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) hired Ian Roberts despite knowing the Guyanese national lied about having received a doctoral degree in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University, the school board admitted on Wednesday. Roberts was arrested by ICE last month for defying a 2024 Final Order of Removal issued after he overstayed a student visa.
“I want to be clear. In a world of misinformation and disinformation, speculation becomes narrative and blame is rampant,” school board President Jackie Norris said in a statement. “The Des Moines School Board is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts, one on a growing list that includes our students and teachers, our parents and community, our elected officials and Iowa’s Board of Educational Examiners, and others. We are committed to the community we serve and will find ways to improve our entire process as we move forward.”
