Duanesburg students deserve leadership that protects them — not leadership that puts them in harm’s way.

The Duanesburg school community is facing a crisis of leadership. Since Superintendent Kimberly Ross was hired in March 2024, trust within Duanesburg Central School District has steadily eroded. Teachers, students, and families have repeatedly raised concerns about dismissive leadership, inconsistent disciplinary practices, failures to inform parents of serious student issues, and a growing culture of fear and favoritism that discourages staff and students from speaking up.

These concerns reached a breaking point following Ross’ comments in a recent Daily Gazette article, where she portrayed the Duanesburg school community as apathetic toward racism and sexism. Those remarks immediately placed a damaging spotlight on our district and our students. (Read the article here)

In the aftermath of the article, Duanesburg students faced harassment online and at sporting events, being labeled racist because of the statements made by their own superintendent. Despite the harm caused, Ross failed to promptly acknowledge the consequences of her words or take meaningful responsibility for the damage done to our students and community.

Parents, teachers, and students have attempted to address these issues through meetings, public forums, and Board of Education sessions. Instead of accountability, the community has been met with deflection, performative responses, and continued erosion of trust. (See many of those public comments at the March 10, 2026 BOE meeting, starting at minute 33)

Unfortunately, similar issues have been reported during Ross’ leadership in other school districts, raising serious concerns about a pattern of leadership that leaves school communities divided and demoralized. (Read about how Ross created a similar environment at her previous school.)

Compounding the problem, the Duanesburg Board of Education has failed to meaningfully investigate these concerns or hold the superintendent accountable. Instead, board leadership has publicly supported Ross and approved her participation in the article that harmed our students’ reputation. By refusing to address the growing pattern of issues raised by teachers, parents, and students, the Board has become complicit in the breakdown of trust within our district. As a result, the leadership of the Board of Education must also be held accountable.

At this point, the relationship between the superintendent and the Duanesburg community has been irreparably damaged. Our students deserve leadership that protects them, supports staff, and represents our district with integrity.

For the health, safety, and future of our schools, we call on the Duanesburg Board of Education to remove Kimberly Ross as superintendent and begin the process of restoring trust and stability in our district.

Sign this petition to stand with Duanesburg students, families, and educators.