Title: "Des Moines School Board Investigation Report: Lessons Learned from Superintendent Hiring Process
The Des Moines School Board recently released a report from an independent investigator who examined the process of hiring Dr. Ian Roberts as superintendent in 2023. The board committed to investigating the hiring and understanding how it occurred. The report found that the board relied on JG Consulting to guide them through the search process and vet candidates properly.
The investigator, Melissa Schilling, interviewed six of the seven board members and reviewed numerous documents and confidential audio recordings related to the search process. The report details the Request for Proposal process, the superintendent search conducted by JG Consulting, and the presentation of Roberts by the consulting firm.
According to the report, JG Consulting did not raise any red flags during the search process, and the board reasonably trusted the firm's vetting and representations of candidates. However, JG Consulting provided an incorrect version of Roberts' resume multiple times, both before and after his hiring, and the background check did not highlight discrepancies in his education.
Schilling noted that it was understandable that the board did not catch the inaccuracies in Roberts' resume due to the volume of documents they reviewed. The board members were diligent in their review process but may not have had the time to compare resumes line by line.
The Des Moines School Board also released an FAQ along with the report to address additional questions. The FAQ states that the report will inform the district's hiring and onboarding processes in the future. The board will review background checks, reference checks, and documentation verification for all positions in the district.
The FAQ clarifies that board members were unaware that Roberts had misrepresented his educational credentials and assures the community that they are using the lessons learned to improve future searches. The goal is to find a leader with impeccable credentials, integrity, and a commitment to honesty and service.
In conclusion, the investigation into the hiring of Dr. Ian Roberts as superintendent shed light on the process and highlighted areas for improvement in future searches. The Des Moines School Board is dedicated to learning from this experience and ensuring that the next leader chosen for the district embodies the qualities of integrity and commitment to service that the community deserves.