Demopolis, a town that has historically weathered social and economical upheaval better than most, sits today a nearly divided city.

The fact that Superintendent of Education Wayne Vickers is leaving Demopolis and the circumstances of his departure has gossip mills turning and stones being cast faster than many can don helmets.

The simple fact of the matter is this:

Dr. Vickers is leaving. There may be a littany of reasons. We’ve heard them all — all the rumors, all the “facts” and all the innuendos.

It all boils down to something very simple. Dr. Vickers was offered a position with a higher base salary in a school system that is still learning to walk. He’ll be the first Superintendent of Education to usher in a Saraland High School class and the first to speak at the Class of 2010’s graduation – the first graduating class in that school system’s history.

He’s been presented with an opportunity to build something where previously there was very little and three years ago there was nothing.

He’s leaving a great school system for what sounds like a good opportunity.

People get promoted. People move. Someone’s grass is always greener on the other side.

Is there more to this story?

Maybe.

Probably.

There’s enough hurt feelings and scorn to go around, that is certain.

What’s done is done.

We wish Dr. Vickers all the success in the world as he tackles the task at hand, but our attention is now turned to the children and students of Demopolis – a group that never should have lost our attention to begin with.

Those students now do not have a superintendent.

Students at our high school do not have a principal. One of the applicants for principal is Demopolis Middle School principal Clarence Jackson Jr., who, if hired, would create another leadership void at the top.

The process would start again, this time at another school.

Essentially, the Demopolis City School system has its hands full as they attempt to continue to build on the successes of Dr. Vickers, Dr. Hill and those before them.

Our school system is not some phoenix looking to rise from the ashes, but the public squabbling and finger-pointing based on one version of the facts or another isn’t going to do anything but hold us back.

Those who want to be here and those who want their children to be educated here need to unite. That includes parents, teachers, administrators and those who run the rumor mills.