VIDALIA — The Concordia Parish School District will be missing some familiar faces during the upcoming school year.

Three principals from the district made the decision not to return: Rick Brown, Ferriday Lower Elementary; Bobbie Hinson, Ferriday Junior High School; and James Davis, Ferriday High School.

“I certainly will miss Ms. Hinson, Mr. Brown and Mr. Davis, and we wish them the very best of luck in their new ventures and endeavors,” Concordia Parish School District Superintendent Paul Nelson said.

Brown and Hinson were recently moved to other schools by Nelson. Brown was moved from Vidalia High School and Hinson was moved from Ferriday Lower Elementary.

Hinson’s retirement became effective June 29 and Brown’s became effective July 10.

Jana Lincecum was Brown’s assistant principal at Vidalia High School and worked with him for 16 years.

“He’s one of the best guys I ever worked with in my whole entire life,” Lincecum said. “He’s like a big brother to me.”

Lincecum was also moved, and she said she should be starting at Monterey High School today.

The announcement that Brown, Lincecum and other administrators were being moved sparked some controversy. Some parents formed The Vidalia Parents, a group which opposed the changes.

Delana Tradewell Horn helped create the “Support Rick Brown” Facebook page, which opposed moving Brown and Lincecum.

“Rick Brown was a great principal,” Horn said. “He was very good to my kids.”

Both of Horn’s children, Trey Tradewell and Brandi Tradewell, graduated from Vidalia High School. Horn said she was upset about Brown being moved so close to retirement.

“You’re not going to get quality teachers in there if they’re going to be treated like that,” Horn said.

Unlike Hinson and Brown, Davis resigned June 11.

“The last three years my wife has been in Atlanta and I thought it was time to locate to Atlanta to be with my wife and family,” Davis said.

Davis has been regularly making visits.

“You’re talking about an eight hour drive,” Davis said. “It got tiresome.”

With the new school year approaching on Aug. 10, Nelson is looking to get everything ready, including filling those spots.

Often spots are filled by people already employed by the district, Nelson said.

“Most of the time your principals are coming from your assistant principals,” Nelson said.

Any administrative or staff members moving up would have to be replaced too, creating other openings.

Nelson said the application deadline is July 15. Nelson said the district hopes to have all openings filled by July 20.

Attempts to contact Brown and Hinson for comment were unsuccessful.