GVI FRAMEWORK BRIEF: A PATH FORWARD ON STUDENT SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

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FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Issued by: The Uvalde Foundation for Kids

Date: February 2026

WHY WE ARE RELEASING THIS

Communities lose trust in school systems not because mistakes occur, but because those mistakes are followed by silence, confusion, or defensiveness. Across the country, families and educators are asking the same question after serious incidents: *What changed afterward?*

This brief outlines a practical, non-punitive framework for how school districts can respond to crises with clarity, accountability, and care. It reflects lessons learned nationally and is offered as a constructive path forward for districts currently under public and federal scrutiny.

This is not a legal document. It is a governance roadmap.

THE CORE PROBLEM

When serious safety or medical incidents occur, districts often default to limited communication, fragmented record handling, and internal processes that exclude the very people most affected. Over time, this approach erodes trust, escalates conflict, and invites external intervention.

These outcomes are avoidable.

THE GVI APPROACH

Group Violence Intervention (GVI) principles are widely used to reduce harm by shifting from reaction and blame toward structure, accountability, and direct engagement. Applied to school governance, this approach emphasizes three essential practices:

1. Clear, Human Communication

Families should not be left in the dark after a crisis. Prompt, direct, and respectful communication reduces speculation and restores basic trust. Silence rarely protects institutions; it often deepens harm.

2. Integrity of Safety Records

Confidence in outcomes requires confidence in records. Districts function best when safety-related video, digital, and written records are handled consistently and preserved according to clear standards. When records are missing or unclear, independent review strengthens—not weakens—public confidence.

3. Respect for Professional and Parent Voices

Educators and parents are often the first to identify safety gaps. Systems that treat these voices as partners, rather than problems, correct course faster and prevent repeat failures.

WHAT IMPLEMENTATION LOOKS LIKE

A GVI-aligned framework can be implemented without new funding. It is a matter of governance and leadership.

Key steps include:

• Clear communication protocols following serious incidents

• Uniform standards for preserving and reviewing safety records

• Public commitments to non-retaliation for staff who raise concerns

• Regular, independent review of how incidents are classified and addressed

THE CHOICE FACING DISTRICTS

Districts under review generally face two paths.

One path is proactive: acknowledge community concern, strengthen internal systems, and demonstrate good faith through transparent action.

The other path is passive: allow mistrust to deepen while external agencies dictate the outcome.

Only one of these paths rebuilds confidence.

OUR ROLE

The Uvalde Foundation for Kids was formed in response to the Uvalde school tragedy to prevent preventable harm through systems-level change. Our focus is not punishment. It is ensuring that no family is left without answers and no warning signs are ignored.