Roberts’ biography on the Des Moines school district’s website touted a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Trident, misidentifying the degree, with no mention of Morgan State. His employment as a superintendent at Millcreek Township School District in Erie, Pennsylvania; a network superintendent at St. Louis Public Schools; and a principal and teacher at Baltimore City Public Schools was confirmed by each school district. District of Columbia Public Schools did not respond to a public records request about his employment there. At the time, Roberts told the Des Moines Register that he couldn't comment on the settlement but noted it wasn't the reason he left Millcreek and accepted the Des Moines job. He said the school board “felt it was in the school district's interest to approve the settlement," according to the Register's reporting.