Dear Vicksburg Warren School District Board members and Dr. Tori Holloway,

I attended my first in-person school board meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025. While I’ve previously watched many meetings online, I felt it was important to be physically present to show my commitment and begin engaging more directly. I plan to continue attending future meetings, taking notes, and raising questions on behalf of our community.

My first meeting was eye-opening and raised several serious concerns.

1. Staffing crisis

One of the most pressing issues discussed was staffing. We learned that the district is now short 52 licensed teachers—up from 47. This is deeply troubling. What is driving this exodus? I believe we are facing a culture and climate issue within the district. This warrants immediate investigation. A school climate survey should be conducted, though I urge caution, as many staff members fear retaliation for speaking out. Reassigning or removing teachers from roles where they are thriving only worsens the instability and undermines retention. Talented educators need to feel valued and supported — not expendable.

2. Online learning as a solution?

The suggestion that online learning might be used to address the teacher shortage is unacceptable. We all remember the challenges of distance learning during the COVID pandemic. Resorting to this again due to staffing failures is not a solution — it’s a disservice to our students. We must address the root causes of teacher attrition, not apply temporary fixes that harm student learning.

3. Tree cutting and financial priorities

A representative from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks discussed tree cutting and long-term revenue. If the district is in financial distress, we must prioritize immediate needs — like hiring qualified teachers — over potential income decades from now. Our children need support today. If cutting trees helps fund essential services, then that should be the priority.

4. Outstanding debt and financial transparency

It was alarming to learn that the district is paying off overdue debt to McGraw-Hill for professional development. How much are we spending on professional development, and how many other bills are unpaid? Are there vendors who refuse to work with us due to non-payment? The public deserves transparency on the district’s financial obligations.

5. $4 million budget shortfall

How did we overspend by more than $4 million? What is the plan to repay this debt? Cutting vital roles is not a sustainable solution. We need to identify non-essential expenditures and make strategic cuts — not slash the most impactful positions. What reductions are being made at the district office? Why are we spending money we don’t have? This reflects a lack of fiscal responsibility and accountability at all levels — from the school board to the finance department. Our students should not bear the consequences of poor financial management.

6. RCEC and instructional gaps

The renovation of the RCEC building (formerly The Village) is nearly complete, but who will now support the students there? With the removal of Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Buxton, who will provide the instruction and guidance these students need to be college-and-career-ready?

7. Valedictorian/salutatorian eligibility

A new handbook policy states that students transferring back to their home school are no longer eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors. While I understand the intent, this change should be phased in. Students who transferred under previous rules should be grandfathered in. It is unfair to penalize students who made decisions in good faith and have worked hard toward these goals.

8. Performance-based teacher incentives

The new salary incentive for teachers based on state test scores is concerning. This encourages teaching to the test, which research shows can harm students by narrowing the curriculum, increasing stress, and reducing critical thinking. While it may improve the district’s image, it does not serve our students’ best interests.

9. Lack of transparency

Finally, I was disappointed by the number of agenda items moved to executive session. This lack of transparency only deepens public mistrust. The community deserves open dialogue and honest communication about the challenges we face.

Finally, I’d like to share something that left a lasting impression on me. I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Coach Fisackerly has been named the new assistant principal at Warren Central Junior High. She is truly deserving of this opportunity. The room was filled with joy and excitement when the announcement was made. Her emotional reaction was a powerful reminder of the deep bond she, and so many current and former teachers, share with RCEC. RCEC holds a special place in our hearts. While we celebrate Coach Fisackerly’s well-earned promotion, we also feel the sorrow of losing yet another exceptional educator, especially in a time when so many have already been driven away. Many of us worry that the administration is slowly dismantling the very essence of what made RCEC so impactful.

Thank you for taking the time to consider these concerns. I share them not as criticism, but as a call to action on behalf of the students, educators, and families in our district. Together, we have a responsibility to foster a stable, supportive, and transparent educational environment.

I will continue to attend board meetings, ask the difficult questions, and voice the concerns of our community, because the citizens of Vicksburg, and our students, deserve to know that their school board is acting in their best interest.

Respectfully,

Christin Streif