A Few Thoughts on the Situation with Dr. Ian Roberts

Since writing this post, new information has surfaced about Dr. Ian Roberts—including criminal charges, a revoked educator license, and documentation that raises serious doubts about the integrity of his leadership at DMPS, when he was born, and other facts that are bewildering. As such, I want to acknowledge that portions of my original reflection no longer reflect what I believe to be true at this point.

While I initially gave him the benefit of the doubt regarding his intentions, I now believe those intentions were more compromised than I understood. Some of the decisions he made appear to have been deliberate, deceptive, and deeply irresponsible.

I’m leaving the original post intact below for transparency—but wanted to clarify my current view:

• Truth matters.

• Leadership requires integrity.

• And students deserve adults who are worthy of their trust.

We owe it to them to face the facts—clearly and courageously.

I still believe that redemption is fully available for Dr. Roberts, and...while it's now an even more tenuous journey, he can still pursue healing, and forgiveness, and eventually make everything right that he has destroyed. Redemption—-through God's grace and offered through Jesus' blood-—is available to all of us.

Here's the original post:

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Ok. Maybe more than just “a few.” 😉

I've been reflecting on the situation with Dr. Ian Roberts—not as a school board candidate, but as someone who cares deeply about our city, the character of leaders in general, and the impact of leadership on students.

What I've Come to Understand

I’ve come to believe that Dr. Roberts truly had good intentions in his approach to DMPS and its students. I don’t believe he was disingenuous. It's possible that stepping into the superintendent role (illegality notwithstanding) allowed him to exhibit the best of who he is, to really “shine,” so to speak.

And honestly, the current situation doesn't fully negate that better side of him, nor the positive impact he had when acting on those good impulses..

In a Professional Capacity...

My company worked directly with DMPS under the leadership of Dr. Roberts. By all accounts, at a cursory level, he was quite an inspirational and visionary leader, clearly committed to the students and schools he served.

But now we face the hard part.

There were clearly things he kept hidden. Decisions that were bad. Some that were illegal.

Scripture tells us that what is "hidden" is eventually "revealed."

And now, that has happened—revealing a situation that’s deeply unfortunate: for the school district, for parents and teachers, and for the State of Iowa. But also, it's unfortunate for those in leadership who oversaw the hiring of Dr. Roberts; they, too, may feel the reverberation differently.

And most of all, it’s deeply unfortunate for the students.

For the many students who looked up to him as a role model, this is heartbreaking.

And it’s those students I'm most concerned about.

Regardless of political affiliation, we should all be asking: What does compassion for them look like now? How do we help them process this with truth, grace, and stability?

Because yes—good people can make bad decisions. Very bad decisions. That doesn’t excuse the harm. But it does remind us of our shared humanity.

Scripture is pretty clear:

Leaders are judged more strictly. And for good reason.

Platformed individuals—especially in education—carry the weight of influence. And when trust is broken at that level, accountability must follow. That’s not about punishment. That’s about protecting students and restoring integrity.

The types of decisions Dr. Roberts made also carry weight. They call into question his judgment, his honesty, and how he handled pressure. And as more comes to light—including his past legal maneuvering—it’s hard not to see a level of intentionality.

That’s serious. Especially when weapons and cash were reportedly found in his car—indications that he may have been preparing for the possibility of escape. I'm not sure you make preparations like that unless you sense there are consequences coming that won’t be handled in conversation, renegotiation—or, at worst, in court.

But Here's What I Do Still Believe:

• Redemption is possible.

• Responsibility can be taken.

• And restoration—if it ever comes—must be earned.

In the meantime, there's a responsibility to the students.

Those of us in directly impacted communities can help them process what they saw in him—both the good and the bad. We can help them learn to hold onto the best parts of the leaders they admire, while staying clear-eyed about the rest. That kind of maturity isn’t easy—but it can grow from moments like this.

And maybe, we can help them look inward too.

Let the Light In

Since the beginning of time, people have tried to hide things. But hiddenness—left unexamined—is where harmful decisions grow. The fruit of those choices often surfaces when we least expect it—and sometimes when the whole world is watching.

I personally have hope that Dr. Roberts can take full ownership of the situation he's placed himself in, in a positive and legal way, with the hope that he could eventually be restored to a platform where the best of his intention can once again influence students for the good.

Perhaps he’ll even be able to use his own journey to help students succeed.

It will take a lot of time and work, and a lot of forgiveness by a great many people. But given the way he presented his better side—and how he believed in the students—it would be hard for me to believe that he doesn’t have it within him to fix what he has broken.

And may his story inspire the opening up and cleaning out of our own hidden places…

Feel free to share your perspectives below.

Official photo of Dr. Ian Roberts