Update
Public announcements and updates regarding the detention of Dr. Ian Roberts by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, September 26 are shared on this page. The most recent communications are at the top of this page.
Thursday, October 2 – 9:30 AM
The Des Moines School Board met in closed session to meet with counsel to discuss potential litigation. Following the closed session, the School Board Chair directed counsel to file suit against the search firm used in the 2023 superintendent hiring. Below is a press release about the lawsuit; a copy of the suit may be downloaded at the bottom of the release.
DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FIRM JG CONSULTING
Today, the Des Moines Public Schools Board held a discussion and Board Chair Jackie Norris directed counsel to pursue legal action against One-Fourth Consulting LLC d/b/a JG Consulting, the search firm hired by the Des Moines School Board to facilitate the superintendent search in 2022-23 and the hiring of Ian Roberts. The Board took this swift action in light of recent revelations about Roberts’ right to work in the United States and questionable educational credentials and qualifications.
“The search firm failed in their duty to properly vet the candidates and Ian Roberts should have never been presented as a potential Superintendent,” said Norris. “JG Consulting’s contract required them to bring all known information of a positive or negative nature to the Board, and since that did not happen the Board will pursue aggressive legal action in accordance with the law.”
According to the District’s contract with JG Consulting, the firm’s duties included “advertising, search, recruitment, application and resume review, public domain search, complete reference checks and presentation of qualified candidates.” In addition, JG Consulting would “conduct comprehensive reference calls on each applicant to include the verification of all related employment experiences. JG Consulting will arrange for comprehensive criminal, credit, and background checks to be conducted by a third party. ”
The suit claims breach of contract and negligence. With regard to breach of contract, the District asserts that JG Consulting failed to properly vet Roberts as a candidate and referred Roberts for consideration even though he could not lawfully hold the position. The negligence claim stems from the fact that the firm represented Roberts as a suitable and viable candidate when he was not, and failed to exercise reasonable care in gathering, verifying and supplying information on Roberts.
“From the beginning, the Board has taken these allegations incredibly seriously and has done and will continue to do the hard work to get to the facts. The School Board was deceived by Ian Roberts and on behalf of our students, teachers, parents and community – we demand answers,” added Norris.
Des Moines Public Schools is requesting a jury trial and seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial. Damages include reputational harm, but also costs including superintendent pay, additional hiring process, etc. The District is represented by the law firm of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.
“This lawsuit won’t undo the hurt felt by those who have been impacted by our former superintendent,” said Norris. “The Board’s goal is to provide the facts necessary to firmly close this chapter and begin the process of healing and improving. This district is more than one person, it is 35,000 students, teachers and staff who work to provide an educational experience to help our kids find success.”
https://www.dmschools.org/2025/09/announcements-on-detention-of-dr-ian-roberts/
They paid the firm $40,000 to hire this guy!
JG Consulting’s proposed cost was $40,000+ compared to $99,000+ for Alma Advisory, $43,400+ for BWP and $35,500+ for GR Recruiting.
Dr. Ian Robert
___________________
Not Dr!
His education record is also full of lies, he definitely did not obtain any PhD anywhere.
Awww yes, the litigation! File that lawsuit to deflect from Big Mike’s Chief of Staff Jackie Norris, and current Democrat senate candidate, who oversaw the illegal’s appointment to that role!
She should be tossed out on her ear, ASAP!
Good luck with that senate campaign Jackie!
“From the beginning, the Board has taken these allegations incredibly seriously and has done and will continue to do the hard work to get to the facts. The School Board was deceived by Ian Roberts and on behalf of our students, teachers, parents and community – we demand answers,” added Norris.
the consulting firm informed the board he did not have a doctorate as he put on his resume, he filed amended resume..they hired him anyway with a huge deception on his original resume he changed after he got caught...the board should have then checked everything about him and not hired him for dishonesty they cant pass the hot potato totally to the consulting firm they had a huge red flag and ignored it now are crying and pointing the finger elsewhere, they need to accept their mistakes. IMO