DEMOPOLIS &045; Community leaders crowded into the Demopolis City School System board room Friday afternoon to welcome the next superintendent of education.

Wayne Vickers shook hands, exchanged laughs and picked up a gift and a stack full of business cards along the way.

Vickers seemed at ease as he and his wife, Pam, mingled with the crowd. When the people had dispersed and he was sit talking with an audience of three, Vickers was still as animated and as excited as when he first walked into the board room and began shaking hands.

When he turned his attention to the future, Vickers said his next step was to meet with his superintendent and board of education in Tuscaloosa County. While most of the board members and the superintendent knew of his intentions, he said he must now work out a transition schedule.

No timeline has been set for Vickers’ arrival here, but he said his intentions are to get involved with the system as soon as possible.

Dr. Wesley Hill, whose last day will be June 30, said he will work with Vickers to get him up-to-speed on the district and how it works.

Vickers said his top priority will be addressing any personnel issues. At the top of the list will be working with Hill and the board on the selection process for a new Westside Elementary School principal.