The Des Moines public school district (DMPS) is trying to play the victim in the whole Ian Roberts fiasco. From the Des Moines Register,
Des Moines school board is ‘a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts,’ new statement says.
It’s like that old bit on the TV show Seinfeld. “They fooled me, Jerry. The fooled me!”
Don’t forget that the school board chair for this entire fiasco, Jackie Norris, is also running as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Iowa. You would hope that the good voters of Iowa would not support a candidate so easily (or so willingly) duped by an obvious charlatan.
Back to the Register,
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 board promises improvements, “as we move forward.” Don’t expect any board member to fall on their sword over this.
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.
Apparently, they just took his word for it. They did catch one lie, though,
Although Roberts repeatedly said he had the Morgan State doctorate, DMPS knew he did not when it hired him, a schools spokesperson and board president Jackie Norris said.
He still has his fans,
As the board sent its statement, about 20 people gathered at the Neal Smith Federal Building in downtown Des Moines in support of Roberts.
You can’t fool all of the people all of the time, they tell me.
