Earlier this month, after the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools was taken into custody by ICE, the Justice Department initiated an investigation into the district’s hiring practices. 

The DOJ announced it would explore whether the district’s employment practices are discriminatory on the grounds of race, color, and national origin, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. 

DMPS’ former superintendent, Dr. Ian Roberts, resigned from his post after he was detained by ICE this month.

DHS said at the time Roberts was detained, he had a loaded gun, a hunting knife and $3,000 in cash in his possession. 

In a Tuesday press release, the DOJ notified DMPS’s interim superintendent, Matthew Smith, about concerns that DMPS might be practicing employment discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, in breach of Title VII. DMPS emphasizes that diversity enhances the learning environment and bolsters school effectiveness, believing that fostering an employee culture that mirrors broader society serves the district well. 

Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, stated that DEI initiatives and race-based hiring efforts in schools violate federal anti-discrimination laws, ultimately hindering educational goals. School districts should eliminate these unlawful practices and reinstate merit-based employment for the benefit of both students and staff. 

Des Moines Superintendent’s past under scrutiny

Roberts told ’s affiliate WHO he had a 20-year career in education and held multiple degrees.

An investigation discovered that his LinkedIn profile mentioned several renowned institutions, such as Harvard, MIT, and Georgetown University, without specifying the degrees earned. 

The outlet could not confirm that Roberts’ doctorate from an online program called Trident University International was authentic. 

In 2021, he was charged with illegal possession of a handgun in his vehicle, which he claimed occurred during a hunting trip. Court records indicate he pled guilty and resolved the matter by paying a $100 fine.