Iowa School District Sues vetting Firm Over Misleading Superintendent Hire
an Iowa school district is suing the consulting firm it hired to vet superintendent Ian Roberts,alleging the company failed to disclose critical facts about his background,including discrepancies regarding his educational credentials and a prior immigration issue. The lawsuit, filed by the Waterloo Community School District, centers on the hiring of Roberts, who recently resigned amid scrutiny over his past.
According to the lawsuit and reporting by the Associated Press,Roberts signed a form attesting to U.S. citizenship upon being hired, providing a Social Security card and driver’s license as verification. However, it was later revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued an order of removal against Roberts in 2024. Roberts’ attorney, O Parrish, stated Roberts believed a prior attorney had ”resolved successfully” his immigration case.
The district claims JG Consulting, responsible for recruitment and background checks, did not flag this information. District officials also stated they were unaware of the 2024 removal order.
Further, the district alleges JG Consulting failed to adequately address a discrepancy in Roberts’ resume. Roberts falsely claimed to have earned a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University in 2007, a claim the university confirmed was untrue. While a background check flagged this issue, the district asserts the full school board was not properly informed by the consulting firm.
“This is about accountability,” saeid district spokesperson Tara Norris. The contract between the district and JG Consulting stipulated the company was responsible for complete reference checks and presenting qualified candidates.
the lawsuit also details a 2020 weapons charge in Pennsylvania, were Roberts pleaded guilty to a minor infraction for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle, paying a $100 fine. The district stated it was aware of and addressed this charge early in the hiring process.
The Waterloo Community School district serves approximately 30,000 students and employs nearly 5,000 staff. Roberts, who has two decades of experience in education, earned a doctorate from Trident University International in 2021 but had used the “doctorate” title prior to completing the degree.
