Letter to the Editor: Don’t dismantle what works at River City Early College

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The following letter was sent to the members of the Vicksburg Warren County School District Board requesting to speak at the upcoming board meeting, which will be held at the VWSD Office on June 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Vicksburg Daily News has been given permission by the author to publish it here.

Below is the letter in it’s entirety.

Dr. Holloway, Dr. Magee, Mr. Green, and Board Members,

As a parent of five students in the Vicksburg Warren School District, I am writing to request the opportunity to speak at the upcoming board meeting on June 26, 2025. I have serious concerns about several issues I’ve witnessed within our district. Before I address them, I would like to provide a bit of background on my family, to help explain why these matters are so important to me.

My family moved to Vicksburg, MS, in February 2022 when we were stationed here by the U.S. Army. During our relocation process, we chose to settle in Vicksburg—even though we were advised by other military families to consider areas like Clinton, Madison, Brandon, or Ridgeland. Those areas were touted for their stronger schools, better job prospects for military spouses, and safer neighborhoods. Despite these tempting factors, we chose Vicksburg. We looked beyond the school ratings and saw
potential. We found excellent elementary schools and felt that Bovina was the perfect fit for our sons. We were also impressed by the opportunities offered by The Academy of Innovation and River City Early College (RCEC).

Our boys are strong academic performers who benefit from being challenged, and we believed these schools would provide them with unique learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. I was also fortunate to find a meaningful role at Warren Central High School as a school nurse—an ideal fit for both my career and our family life.

Since settling here, we’ve encouraged every incoming military family to choose Vicksburg. Three of our sons have attended The Academy of Innovation, and our fourth will start there this fall. Two of our children have also attended River City Early College, with a third starting there soon. While these schools aren’t for everyone—our oldest chose to transfer to Warren Central High School for a more
traditional experience and proximity to his coaches—we’ve seen firsthand the improvements across the district in state testing and academic performance.

As a parent and former district employee, I’ve met outstanding teachers and students throughout VWSD. However, I’ve also witnessed situations that would not have been tolerated in other districts we’ve lived in. I am compelled to speak up because I believe in this district and this community. We chose Vicksburg, and that includes taking a stand when something isn’t right.

CONCERN #1: REMOVAL OF MRS. RICHARDSON FROM RCEC

One of my main concerns involves River City Early College. Many in the community were shocked and dismayed by the removal of Mrs. Richardson, the guidance counselor and founding faculty member of RCEC. Mrs. Richardson has been a cornerstone of RCEC, helping establish it as the innovative and supportive environment it is today. She has forged vital relationships with Hinds Community College to ensure a smooth college transition for students and worked tirelessly to support students participating in extracurricular activities. She has always made herself available to parents and has provided essential mental health support to both students and staff.

Her removal—reportedly at the decision of a principal with less than a year of experience at RCEC—is both confusing and concerning. Mrs. Richardson’s reputation and effectiveness are widely known throughout Vicksburg. I believe the public deserves an explanation for her dismissal. As district leaders and public servants, transparency and communication are vital. When these are lacking, trust erodes. Communication is key in any relationship, and the district’s lack of it is causing the community to lose confidence in your leadership.

CONCERN #2: ELIMINATION OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR ADVISOR ROLES AT RCEC

I am also troubled by the decision to eliminate the Junior and Senior Advisor positions at RCEC—roles previously held by Mrs. Amber Davis and Mrs. Camille Buxton. These two educators have played instrumental roles in preparing students for college, securing scholarships, improving ACT scores, and developing students into capable young adults. The district’s failure to reassign them to roles they are qualified for, combined with a lack of communication, has led to rampant speculation in the community.

Some believe the positions were cut due to disagreements with the new principal; others think it’s about creating “equity” across high schools. However, RCEC is not designed to be equal to Warren Central or Vicksburg High. That’s the point—it’s a unique school with an application and interview process because it offers specialized opportunities. If you truly value equity, you might consider adding these advisor roles to other schools rather than removing them from RCEC. These advisors were a key reason families chose RCEC, and removing them without explanation diminishes the program’s strength.

CONCERN #3: SPENDING ON TRAVEL TO HAWAII

Lastly, I am concerned about reports of district funds being used to send board members and superintendents to Hawaii for continuing education. While professional development is important, my research indicates that the Mississippi Board of Education does not recognize out-of-state continuing education for certain purposes. This makes the trip appear extravagant and misaligned with the district’s financial priorities. These funds could be better used to restore advisor roles, provide classroom resources, or bring in in-state speakers to train larger groups of staff. Choosing an expensive destination like Hawaii sends the wrong message to the families you serve.

I still have faith in the Vicksburg Warren School District. I respectfully request to be placed on the agenda to speak at the upcoming board meeting. Addressing these issues publicly could help restore trust and provide the community with much-needed clarity.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Christin Streif

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