By: CA Staff Writer | October 30, 2025
Clarksdale, Ms – On Monday, October 27, 2025, Coreen Richardson and Margaret Walker, who had both sent prayers for Superintendent Dr. Virginia Young’s husband during the week after learning about his serious illness, called an emergency meeting while Young was out of town by the side of her critically ill husband. Multiple sources have informed the Clarksdale Advocate that, with full knowledge of Dr. Young’s dire situation, disciplinary action was threatened against her if she was not present for the meeting, forcing Dr. Young to request a Family Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA).
At the special meeting that coincided with the Clarksdale City Council meeting and a candidate forum, Richardson and Walker began to take the first of many steps that unfolded in a Richard Nixon-style ‘Monday Night Massacre’ format. Board President Johnny Moore was absent from the meeting and had informed them in advance that he would not be available. Richardson and Walker proceeded with the meeting and attempted to oust Dr. Young in her absence. This action was blocked, causing board member Gerald Johnson to leave the meeting after voting ‘NO’ along with board member Rachel Fowler-Holmes, as he felt blindsided by Richardson and Walker’s actions.
After the failed attempt to oust Young without cause and against the advice of their legal counsel, much of which played out on Facebook Live and other video recordings, the pair then moved to fire the school board attorney. Alongside Richardson and Walker was school board consultant Will Smith, who, according to sources, engaged in providing legal and other advice without a license to practice law, against the strong objections of school board attorney Derek Hopson. Our sources indicate that this advice would cause the board members to violate their fiduciary obligations to CCSD and create liability for the board members individually, as well as for the board collectively. The pair subsequently moved to fire the school board attorney, successfully passing this decision on a 2 to 1 vote, with Rachel Fowler-Holmes voting ‘NO.’
With Dr. Young now out on FMLA and lacking legal representation, the pair then sought to hire an interim superintendent. Crystal Gooden, the Assistant Superintendent, was next in line to serve as interim superintendent in Dr. Young’s absence, according to the CCSD organizational chart. However, the pair moved to hire, Dr. Debra Dace, as interim superintendent who is from outside the district without advertising the position, accepting any applications, or conducting interviews. Additionally, state law requires that all new hires complete a background investigation, which includes taking fingerprints and undergoing an FBI background check and sex registry check, among other requirements.
According to Dace’s Facebook page she has been a Realtor with EXIT Southern Charm Realty since 2022. Dace is the former superintendent of Greenville Municipal School District and Sunflower County School District.
The Clarksdale Advocate will update you on this story as more information becomes available.
Phot Credit and Source: FB
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