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Foundation Civil Rights Case Against RCPS Referred By DOJ To US Department Of Educations, Office Of Civil Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2026

U.S. Department of Justice Moves Roanoke Civil Rights Case to Department of Education; RCPS Silence Enters Third Week

ROANOKE, VA

The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation (Uvalde Foundation For Kids) received formal notification today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division has reviewed the Foundation’s complaint against Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) and has officially referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for further action.


The referral follows a detailed filing by the Foundation documenting systemic 504/ADA violations and the Spoliation of Evidence at Patrick Henry High School. The DOJ’s Educational Opportunities Section determined the case warrants federal review by the OCR, the agency tasked with enforcing civil rights in schools and overseeing federal funding compliance.

The Sound of Silence

Despite the escalation to federal authorities, Roanoke City Public Schools, its legal counsel, and the Roanoke City School Board have remained entirely silent. The district has yet to explain why a 5-hour preservation notice to save surveillance footage was ignored for nine months, or why a FOIA request was "paused" in December 2025 just as the records reached their deletion date.

"The district’s silence is now a matter of federal record," said Jennifer West of the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation. "We have provided the 'paper trail' to federal investigators that local administrators seem unable or unwilling to explain. While the district hides behind a 'no comment' strategy, we are moving forward to ensure that the GVI (Group Violence Intervention) model is implemented so that no other Roanoke family has to watch the evidence of their child’s crisis be erased."

Next Steps

The Foundation is now in direct contact with the OCR to ensure the "Cradle-to-Grave" evidence binder is fully integrated into their investigation. We are also preparing a formal demand for the Roanoke City School Board to break their silence and provide a Political Commitment to systemic reform at their next public session...

"We aren't waiting for the district to find their voice," West continued. "The Department of Justice has pointed the way forward, and we intend to follow it until there is clinical accountability in every Roanoke school."

Copy of Letter From DOJ:

Re: Your Civil Rights Division Complaint – 698221-QKG from the Educational Opportunities Section


Thank you for contacting the Department of Justice on January 14, 2026. We have reviewed the information you provided and have determined that the complaint raises issues that are more appropriately addressed by another federal agency. We are, therefore, referring this complaint to the following agency for further action:


U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

(800) 421-3481; (202) 453-6012 (fax); (800) 877-8339 (TDD)


How you have helped:

Although we will not be acting on your complaint, your report can help us find issues affecting multiple people or communities. It also helps us understand emerging trends and topics.


Thank you for taking the time to contact the Department of Justice about your concerns.


Sincerely,

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

About the Uvalde Foundation For Kids

The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation (Uvalde Foundation For Kids) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit dedicated to ending school violence and advocating for student safety through proven strategies like the GVI model.


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Jennifer West

Youth Peace and Justice Foundation

Uvalde Foundation For Kids

254-499-8027

Charity ID 88-3268749




 
 
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