5/18/26: Vote for change tomorrow!
After three years, the terms for the NVCSD Board President and Vice-President are finally up — and this election is our opportunity to demand change.
Two Newark Valley parents, Sara Gregrow and Kelly Gardner, who have personally experienced many of the same failures, frustrations, and heartbreaking issues that so many families in this district have faced, are stepping up to fight for our students and our community.
This is more than a school board election. This is our chance to send a message that Newark Valley families are DONE accepting bullying being minimized, policies and regulations being ignored, and serious concerns being swept under the rug. We are done watching students suffer while voices go unheard.
If we want accountability, transparency, and real action, we have to show up and vote. Change will not happen unless we make it happen.
It’s time for new leadership. It’s time for our children to come first!
Thank you all for continuing to support this movement. 💙
Jamie Welch, founder FAB NV
5/17/26: Where and when?
We need your help, community!
My team and I are working hard to expand outreach across the district by attending public events where we can connect directly with families, hand out information, answer questions, listen to concerns, and continue building support for meaningful change.
Right now, I know about the Blueberry Festival in Berkshire, Summerfest, and Depot Friday nights — but I know there are many more events happening throughout our communities that I’m missing.
If you know of any:
• Parades
• Festivals
• Community days
• School or sports events
• Farmers markets
• Fundraisers
• Concerts
• Vendor fairs
• Any other public gatherings
Please use the form below with dates, locations, links and contact information if possible.
Grassroots change only happens when communities come together, and every event gives us another opportunity to reach families, share resources, educate, advocate, and make connections that matter.
Thank you all for continuing to support this movement. 💙
Jamie Welch, founder FAB NV
Read our letter to the school district
May 7, 2026
[sent via e-mail & certified mail]
Newark Valley Central School District
Board of Education
𝑃.𝑂. 𝐵𝑜𝑥 547, 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦, 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑌𝑜𝑟𝑘, 13811
Re: Request for Immediate Review and Amendment of District Code of Conduct (DASA Compliance)
Dear Members of the Board:
First and foremost, thank you for your continued service to the Newark Valley Central School District and for your attention to matters affecting student safety and well-being. We must regretfully bring a serious issue to your attention, as we believe the district’s current practices have not been sufficiently forthcoming or transparent with respect to investigative processes and statutory reporting requirements under the New York State Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).
Accordingly, I respectfully request that the Newark Valley Central School District undertake an immediate and
comprehensive review of its Code of Conduct and related administrative procedures to ensure full, consistent, and
transparent compliance with the reporting and communication requirements of DASA.
Based on direct experience and concerns raised within the school community, current district practices regarding the
documentation, investigation, notification, and resolution of DASA-related incidents appear to lack sufficient clarity,
consistency, and transparency. Families are not consistently provided timely written notice when an incident has been
reported, when an investigation has been initiated, or when a determination has been reached. Access to records
and explanations of findings also remains inconsistent and, at times, delayed, despite the significant impact such
matters have on student safety and access to education.
While the district’s commitment to addressing student conduct is recognized, the absence of clearly defined and
consistently applied procedures creates an unacceptable risk of uneven implementation, reduced accountability, and
erosion of trust between families and the district. These concerns warrant prompt and formal action.
Accordingly, I request that the Board direct its administration to pursue available funding, including application for
the Supportive Schools Grant, to support a structured and district-wide effort to strengthen school culture, clarify
expectations, and ensure that conflict and student conduct issues are addressed through consistent, student-centered
practices.
In addition, I formally request that the Board consider adoption of the following revisions to the Code of Conduct to
improve transparency, accountability, and support for students:
Requested Policy Revisions
• Parental Notification: A requirement that parents or guardians receive timely written notification when a DASA-related report involving their child is filed, when an investigation is initiated, and when the investigation is concluded, consistent with applicable privacy laws.
• Protocols for High-Risk Environments: Explicit supervisory and reporting requirements for incidents occurring in less structured or higher-risk settings, including transportation, cafeterias, and transitional spaces – such as the bus.
• Disability and Trauma-Informed Alignment: Clarification that responses involving students with disabilities must align with applicable IEPs or Section 504 Plans and reflect trauma informed, or like-practices while maintaining accountability.
• Dispute Resolution Transparency: Clearly defined procedures allowing parents or guardians to formally dispute or appeal investigation outcomes, including established timelines, written explanations of determinations, and a transparent review process.
• Access to Mental Health Resources: A requirement that, when DASA-related incidents materially impact student well-being, the district proactively provides information regarding available school-based and community mental health resources and, where appropriate, facilitates access to support services.
These revisions are necessary to ensure consistent implementation, procedural clarity, and public confidence in the district’s handling of DASA-related matters.
Given that the Board’s annual review of the Code of Conduct is anticipated to occur on or about May 27, 2026, I request prompt written confirmation as to whether the Board will undertake this review together with written response regarding the process and timeline by which these issues will be considered, and with affirmation of the date and time in which our concerns may be heard before the Board. Timely communication on this matter is essential given the proximity of the statutory review deadline and the level of community concern.
Thank you for your attention to this request and for your continued service to the Newark Valley school community.
We look forward to working with you to reach a resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
((Names))
[digitally signed by each of the above, and further affirmed by each individual who signs our petition]
Please note that members of the school community are being informed of opportunities to engage in civic participation related to this request, including reviewing publicly available materials, participating in community discussions (such as the group “FAB NV”), and, if they choose, signing a public petition concerning the district’s Code of Conduct.
Participation in these activities is entirely voluntary and available to all residents within the school district (e.g., if you pay taxes to this school district – you have the right to be heard).
Please further note, nothing in this communication, nor any expression of support for this request or related efforts, is intended to, nor shall it be construed to, waive, limit, or otherwise affect any individual’s rights, including but not limited to the right to pursue legal remedies or other forms of recourse. Individuals are encouraged to seek independent advice if they have questions regarding their rights or options.
Our kids. Our Schools. Our Responsibility.
Together, we can ensure a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive.
Public hearing/Board of Education meeting on 5/11/26
Parents, caregivers, and community members of Newark Valley Central School District—this is a moment that truly matters for our children.
We are asking you to show up, stand together, and make your voices heard at the upcoming public hearing and board meeting. Our grassroots anti-bullying campaign will be presenting critical requests aimed at creating real, lasting change—reducing bullying, ensuring proper and legally required reporting of incidents, and strengthening the safety, mental health, and emotional well-being of every student in our district.
This is not just about policies—it’s about protecting our kids, supporting those who feel unheard, and building a school environment where every child feels safe and respected.
Your presence matters. Whether you have experienced concerns firsthand, want to support positive change, or simply care about the future of our schools, we need you in that room.
Our petition for change
We are actively working with families, educators, and community members to promote accountability and drive sustainable change within the Newark Valley Central School District. Our current primary focus is a community-wide petition to reform the school district's code of conduct. This initiative aims to ensure transparency which will lead to greater accountability from school administrators and better protection for victims of bullying. We strive to ensure that all concerns are heard, taken seriously, and addressed with transparency and integrity. Please click the button to go to our petition on change.org.
We need your testimony
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As caregivers, many of us have witnessed our students transition from joyful, carefree children to individuals who may express distress when boarding the bus or feel compelled to conceal their true selves. We have observed their innate brightness dim, despite our best efforts to nurture it. We have seen once academically strong students face difficulties, with attendance shifting from regular to truant.
We recognize that our students may feel they have outgrown the need to discuss their experiences at school with us. They might be concerned about potential ridicule or being perceived as weak. However, our commitment to safeguarding their well-being remains unwavering.
While bullying has always been a concern, it appears to have intensified in our district in recent years. This increase may stem from various factors—administrative challenges, outdated policies, or insufficient follow-through at home. Although the precise cause may elude us, it is clear that change is necessary. It is imperative that we come together in our efforts to advocate for our student's safety and well-being.
We kindly invite you to consider sharing your experiences as victims of bullying or those of your student. This could involve past incidents that continue to resonate or current situations that warrant attention.
We are committed to advocating for change, but we need your collaboration. The more narratives we collect, the more potent our message will be. Our intention is not to target any specific individual, but to foster meaningful change within the district. Should you have experienced multiple incidents, even those involving the same individual, we encourage you to share.
If you decide to recount your experiences, we recommend including any documentation of communication with the school, including interactions with administration, staff, or the superintendent. We assure you that requests for anonymity will be honored unless disclosure is mandated by law. Please send your accounts to: nvnyfab@gmail.com
We are dedicated to enacting change, and we will persist in our advocacy efforts. Each story shared reinforces our mission and underscores the urgent need for action.
Warm regards,
Jamie C. Miller-Welch, Founder
for and on behalf of Families Against Bullying Newark Valley
