ERIE, PA — The Millcreek School District is not fielding any questions about the former school district superintendent, Ian Roberts, who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents on Friday, Sept. 26, for allegedly living and working in the United States illegally.
Reached for comment about the school district’s superintendent from July 2020 to 2023, officials would only point to a single statement on the entity’s website.
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“We are aware of recent reports regarding our former superintendent’s detention by federal immigration authorities,” the statement reads. “This news is deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with the Des Moines community during this uncertain time. Out of respect for the legal process, and because this matter is unrelated to Mill Creek Township school district, we will not be commenting beyond offering this statement and the below facts.”
Several questions remain, however, that do directly concern the Millcreek Township School District and matter greatly to parents and students. Chief among them: What was the vetting process for Roberts, and were the district’s standards actually met? Roberts has claimed he earned a doctorate from Morgan State University, but the Des Moines Register reported Tuesday that he did not receive such a degree from the school.
Parents told me they want more accountability and transparency about the process going forward.
The Millcreek superintendent’s office claims Roberts was hired following a vetting and search process conducted by Ray and Associates and that “no disqualifying events were identified.”
When asked about the three lawsuits that were settled by the Millcreek Township School District related to personnel complaints during Roberts’s tenure as superintendent, settlements that exceeded $330,000, district officials had nothing new to offer.
The last settlement was issued on June 26, 2023, just days before Roberts left the district to head to Des Moines. The board unanimously approved a $250,000 deal with Melody Ellington, who had worked as the district’s director of human resources from July 1, 2021, until she resigned effective Sept. 30, 2022.
On Tuesday, Roberts’s attorney, Alfredo Parrish, announced at a press conference that Roberts is resigning as Des Moines superintendent. Roberts, who remains in custody, had been on paid leave until Monday. Parrish urged the public not to rush to judgment, but he did not address the allegation concerning Roberts’ citizenship.
Roberts still holds a valid school superintendent license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.
Roberts was approached by ICE agents on Friday. In his vehicle, the agents found a handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. Roberts proceeded to attempt to evade arrest. Iowa State Patrol officers assisted federal agents in locating Roberts after his vehicle was found abandoned.
School board president Jackie Norris, former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and present Democratic candidate to replace Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), read a statement Monday saying the school district received a document from the Department of Homeland Security notifying them that Roberts was an unauthorized worker.
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“This latest news means that at this time, unless we receive (new) material information tomorrow at noon demonstrating that Dr. Roberts is eligible to work, our board will commence the process required by Iowa Code Chapter 279 to end the contract with the superintendent,” Norris said.
In interviews with Millcreek parents, regardless of their views on Roberts’ legal troubles, many said their greater concern was the school district’s vetting process in hiring someone responsible for overseeing their children’s education.