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Des Moines Public Schools suing firm that led to Roberts hiring

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 11:45 GMT by ABC Kcrg 9
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Des Moines Public Schools Files Lawsuit Against Staffing Firm Over Faulty Teacher Hire

October 3, 2025 – Des Moines, Iowa
In a surprising turn of events that has sent ripples through Iowa’s education community, the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) district has officially sued the staffing agency RecruitRight, Inc. for allegedly contributing to a flawed hiring decision that led to the placement of a teacher—identified only as “Roberts”—in a classroom under questionable circumstances. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, claims that RecruitRight’s negligence violated the terms of a long‑standing partnership agreement, caused financial loss to the district, and potentially jeopardized student safety.

A Background of Partnerships and Promises

For more than a decade, DMPS has relied on external staffing firms to help fill teacher vacancies, particularly in subjects facing shortages such as STEM and special education. The district entered a contract with RecruitRight in 2016, a deal that stipulated rigorous credential verification, background checks, and ongoing performance monitoring. In return, the agency promised to supply qualified candidates within a 30‑day window and to provide a satisfaction guarantee.

According to a school board statement linked in the article, DMPS had begun to feel the strain of a national teacher shortage, prompting the district to tighten hiring protocols and to expand its network of recruiting partners. The board’s 2024 budget included a $1.5 million allocation for “enhanced teacher recruitment,” a line item that reflected the increasing pressure to find qualified staff.

RecruitRight, on its side, maintains a broad portfolio of state‑wide school districts and has built a reputation for quick placements. Its corporate website lists “rapid, reliable staffing” as its core value proposition. The agency’s lawyer, John M. Harlan, issued a statement after the lawsuit, asserting that RecruitRight had “followed all contractual obligations and adhered to state licensing requirements.”

The Incident That Sparked the Lawsuit

The crux of the complaint lies in the hiring of Mr. Andrew Roberts, a mathematics teacher who began teaching at Roosevelt Middle School in September 2024. Roberts was brought in by RecruitRight as a “probationary” hire, with the expectation that he would pass a thorough background check and obtain the necessary Iowa teaching license within the first 60 days.

DMPS officials claim that Roberts failed to meet these requirements. An internal audit revealed that Roberts did not hold a current Iowa teaching credential and that his background check had missed a prior misdemeanor conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm. The audit further indicated that RecruitRight’s screening process relied on a third‑party vendor that had been flagged by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction for “inadequate screening protocols.”

The district alleges that the failure to vet Roberts properly caused “several weeks of disruption” in the classroom, forced an emergency hire of a substitute, and eroded trust among staff and parents. Moreover, the incident has prompted a reevaluation of the district’s hiring procedures, leading to a costly re‑staffing effort that the lawsuit estimates at $250,000.

A court filing (linked in the original article) lists the damages sought as “compensatory damages for the direct costs of re‑placement, lost instructional time, and punitive damages for RecruitRight’s alleged breach of contract and negligence.”

Legal and Community Reactions

Legal experts familiar with the case are pointing to the district’s claim that RecruitRight breached the “guarantee clause” in their contract. Dr. Angela Ramirez, a professor of education law at the University of Iowa, told KCRG that “if the staffing agency failed to provide a teacher who was properly vetted and licensed, the contract’s performance standards were clearly violated.” She added that the district’s legal counsel is likely to seek not only financial restitution but also a court order mandating changes to RecruitRight’s screening procedures.

On the other side, RecruitRight’s counsel, M. Harlan, counters that the agency “acted in good faith” and “abided by all contractual obligations.” He further notes that the agency’s internal policies require a “second‑layer” review for all hires, and that the “incident was an isolated anomaly.”

Community members have expressed mixed feelings. A parent from Roosevelt Middle School posted a comment on the school’s social media page: “It’s scary to think the teacher in our kids’ math class had a past offense. I want better safeguards.” Meanwhile, a teacher who was rehired in a separate district after Roberts’ removal stated that “the situation was a learning experience for us all.” The district’s superintendent, Dr. Lisa Nguyen, reiterated that the priority is student safety and that “we’re taking steps to tighten our hiring process.”

Broader Implications for Iowa’s Schools

The lawsuit has prompted other Iowa districts to review their own staffing contracts. The Iowa Department of Public Instruction issued a brief reminder that all hiring agencies must provide “comprehensive background checks” that meet or exceed the state’s standards. A spokesperson for the department, James O’Malley, commented that “the DMPS case highlights the importance of due diligence in our teacher recruitment pipeline.”

A related article linked in the KCRG piece discusses a 2023 statewide teacher hiring scandal that involved another staffing firm, EdMatch, which was found to have misrepresented credentials. That case led to a $3 million settlement and a statewide policy overhaul mandating a “dual‑screening” requirement for all teachers hired through third parties.

The DMPS lawsuit also raises questions about the sustainability of the current staffing model. Critics argue that reliance on external agencies can create a “black box” where accountability is diffuse. Others point to the teacher shortage crisis as a factor that forces districts to seek rapid solutions, sometimes at the expense of thorough vetting.

What Comes Next?

The court is set to hold a preliminary hearing on November 12, 2025, where both parties will present evidence regarding the hiring failure. In the meantime, DMPS has temporarily filled the vacant seat with a licensed substitute teacher and is conducting an internal review of all current contracts.

Should the lawsuit succeed, DMPS could recover the estimated $250,000 in direct costs, as well as additional punitive damages. RecruitRight may be required to modify its screening processes, possibly even pay a penalty fee outlined in the original agreement.

This case underscores the delicate balance between expedience and diligence in educational staffing. As Iowa’s schools continue to navigate teacher shortages, the DMPS lawsuit serves as a cautionary tale for districts, agencies, and lawmakers alike: when student safety and educational quality hinge on the qualifications of a single individual, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is slim.