Like Chuck says, Robert’s effectiveness and professionalism is buried under his final act before arrest (and his accumulating pile of fraud). I understand this thorny situation as my husband served as an associate superintendent for several years in a neighboring state. Consulting companies are outrageously expensive considering public school districts abide tight budget constraints. Public school boards often consist of “lay” people who may be too trusting or conversely (especially the past decade) power grabbing. The cringe factor in this case covers a wide swath of missteps, complacency and lack of transparency. Iowa doesn’t need this negative publicity, they have enough with the likes of Grassley, Ernst and Reynolds.
I'm confused. A school board does not have the authority to certify any educator as "authorized" to work in the state. Does that not imply the "state" determines if someone has met the standards set by the state. Is a volunteer school board member expected to know the necessary certifications and academic requirements for every position in the district? Or do they rely on the state (they're called education examiners for heavens state)? Essentially, the state of Iowa said "Yes, he's OK.
One more thing, the governor says from now on the state will use E-verify. Does that mean the state was not always using that system before? Just like the DMPS she criticizes for not using it?
As I understand, the state’s role is to determine whether an administrator (or a teacher) has satisfied the education and work experience requirements to qualify for an Iowa license.
Neither the state nor the Des Moines school board used the E-Verufy system.
Usually I'm really on target with you Randy , but I gotta say monday morning quarterbacking, is not journalism. They hired a reputable firm which is what most organizations do, to vet dr roberts. And I have seen the board act quickly and decisively , even when they didn't have all the information. So maybe you should back off and save your wagging finger for some real important stuff.... Like our governor and republicans trying to move into that school board and take even more power away from public schoolss. This district desperately needs money and we are going to pass the bond referendum in november. But this kind of stuff you're doing isn't helping. The responsibility of the lies lays at the very feet of the person telling them. Mister roberts did that, he lied to people. And right now the community most hurt by that is the Black community and the 30,000 plus kids that go to our schools in the district. You know good and well people can be good in some areas and bad in others. And this man was beloved by the students. Your litmus test, which doesn't even make sense, because nobody caught his lies, makes you sound like an angry , old white man. I really expected better. But here we have it , a person that could do better and chooses not to.... sound familiar?
Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts., Lora. I'm not angry about the events that have unfolded in the school district where the Evans girls were educated. I'm disappointed. Disappointed with the superintendent's deception. Disappointed with the search firm's lack of professionalism. Disappointed by the lack of curiosity by school board members and school staff after some learned of his untruthful claims on his resume. And the school board is making it difficult to put all of this behind us when the board continues to drag its feet on answering straightforward questions and providing public records.
I think any person that's ever been on a board can appreciate not answering certain questions for protection. I think the real story if you want to talk about what people should know is that republicans in this state are coming after the jugular. They are really having a field day. They get to pile on the district and the school board for being so dumb as to hire this DEI black man. Thus , proving to everyone that they really care. They're using this opportunity to try shenanigans and get control of the district and throw mud on the bond referendum. Because they don't want or need any competition for their voucher scheme. But it gets even better. They get to actually drag Jackie Norris through the mud because she is also running for the democratic nominee to run for the senate. Because of her ethical and feduciary responsibility to the school board she is hamstrung from defendimg herself. It is not a good look and it does bear due diligence by the board to clean it up.
It came out just yesterday during a press conference with Rob Sand that three senators from outside the district asked him to look into the situation. Which is illegal based on the bill they voted for to restrict the office of the auditor. This situation is being used as a battering ram. And that's not okay.
I guess one thing I really would have appreciated from you, especially with your experience is did you try to talk to anybody either with the school district or someone representing them? And of course, that begs a question where is a representative to be that mouthpiece for them while all this mud is thrown? I'll tell you no one could have ever planned for this. And I know the focus on getting this referendum in motion and formed has been taking up a lot of time and energy. If d MP s doesn't get this bond. it's the kids and the communities around them that lose. I hope for the sake of 30,000 plus kids that you will write something about how badly this district (where my granddaughter and my daughter's went) needs money so they can compete with the state voucher scheme.
The editor in me asks if she can add one more: specificity in language. Or, as you might tell a kid: Say what you mean. His bio - even the one on the school board's website - was full of squishy language. Where he "grew up," not where he was born. (Sometimes the former is the more important detail to one's life story, in this case it was not.) Where he "studied." Schools he "attended." Actual details were nowhere to be found. Most copy desks, those that still exist, would kick a story like that back to a reporter instantly.
Like Chuck says, Robert’s effectiveness and professionalism is buried under his final act before arrest (and his accumulating pile of fraud). I understand this thorny situation as my husband served as an associate superintendent for several years in a neighboring state. Consulting companies are outrageously expensive considering public school districts abide tight budget constraints. Public school boards often consist of “lay” people who may be too trusting or conversely (especially the past decade) power grabbing. The cringe factor in this case covers a wide swath of missteps, complacency and lack of transparency. Iowa doesn’t need this negative publicity, they have enough with the likes of Grassley, Ernst and Reynolds.
Am I wrong to think that the Register of old would have exposed Roberts before he was hired?
Checking resumes is Journalism 101.
I understand your point. That was not possible with Ian Roberts because the school board hired him *before* his name (or his resume) were made public.
But the Roberts mess underscores the importance of journalists vetting key officials, too.
I agree, I mentioned on my radio show this week that the whole situation is embarrassing for the journalism community as well.
No excuses, school board needs to own up, apologize and do its own due diligence from now on!
And the board needs to resign!!!!
Somehow his effectiveness as a superintendent is lost as I hear from educators and students. Tis quite a contrast to the present federal cabinet.
I'm confused. A school board does not have the authority to certify any educator as "authorized" to work in the state. Does that not imply the "state" determines if someone has met the standards set by the state. Is a volunteer school board member expected to know the necessary certifications and academic requirements for every position in the district? Or do they rely on the state (they're called education examiners for heavens state)? Essentially, the state of Iowa said "Yes, he's OK.
One more thing, the governor says from now on the state will use E-verify. Does that mean the state was not always using that system before? Just like the DMPS she criticizes for not using it?
Thank you for your note.
As I understand, the state’s role is to determine whether an administrator (or a teacher) has satisfied the education and work experience requirements to qualify for an Iowa license.
Neither the state nor the Des Moines school board used the E-Verufy system.
Usually I'm really on target with you Randy , but I gotta say monday morning quarterbacking, is not journalism. They hired a reputable firm which is what most organizations do, to vet dr roberts. And I have seen the board act quickly and decisively , even when they didn't have all the information. So maybe you should back off and save your wagging finger for some real important stuff.... Like our governor and republicans trying to move into that school board and take even more power away from public schoolss. This district desperately needs money and we are going to pass the bond referendum in november. But this kind of stuff you're doing isn't helping. The responsibility of the lies lays at the very feet of the person telling them. Mister roberts did that, he lied to people. And right now the community most hurt by that is the Black community and the 30,000 plus kids that go to our schools in the district. You know good and well people can be good in some areas and bad in others. And this man was beloved by the students. Your litmus test, which doesn't even make sense, because nobody caught his lies, makes you sound like an angry , old white man. I really expected better. But here we have it , a person that could do better and chooses not to.... sound familiar?
Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts., Lora. I'm not angry about the events that have unfolded in the school district where the Evans girls were educated. I'm disappointed. Disappointed with the superintendent's deception. Disappointed with the search firm's lack of professionalism. Disappointed by the lack of curiosity by school board members and school staff after some learned of his untruthful claims on his resume. And the school board is making it difficult to put all of this behind us when the board continues to drag its feet on answering straightforward questions and providing public records.
Thanks for the response Randy.
I think any person that's ever been on a board can appreciate not answering certain questions for protection. I think the real story if you want to talk about what people should know is that republicans in this state are coming after the jugular. They are really having a field day. They get to pile on the district and the school board for being so dumb as to hire this DEI black man. Thus , proving to everyone that they really care. They're using this opportunity to try shenanigans and get control of the district and throw mud on the bond referendum. Because they don't want or need any competition for their voucher scheme. But it gets even better. They get to actually drag Jackie Norris through the mud because she is also running for the democratic nominee to run for the senate. Because of her ethical and feduciary responsibility to the school board she is hamstrung from defendimg herself. It is not a good look and it does bear due diligence by the board to clean it up.
It came out just yesterday during a press conference with Rob Sand that three senators from outside the district asked him to look into the situation. Which is illegal based on the bill they voted for to restrict the office of the auditor. This situation is being used as a battering ram. And that's not okay.
I guess one thing I really would have appreciated from you, especially with your experience is did you try to talk to anybody either with the school district or someone representing them? And of course, that begs a question where is a representative to be that mouthpiece for them while all this mud is thrown? I'll tell you no one could have ever planned for this. And I know the focus on getting this referendum in motion and formed has been taking up a lot of time and energy. If d MP s doesn't get this bond. it's the kids and the communities around them that lose. I hope for the sake of 30,000 plus kids that you will write something about how badly this district (where my granddaughter and my daughter's went) needs money so they can compete with the state voucher scheme.
Well said! Appreciate your perspective 👍
Squishy language sums it up. He turned out to be a modern Harold Hill from the 'Music Man'. Iowa's own...
The editor in me asks if she can add one more: specificity in language. Or, as you might tell a kid: Say what you mean. His bio - even the one on the school board's website - was full of squishy language. Where he "grew up," not where he was born. (Sometimes the former is the more important detail to one's life story, in this case it was not.) Where he "studied." Schools he "attended." Actual details were nowhere to be found. Most copy desks, those that still exist, would kick a story like that back to a reporter instantly.