BRICK HATTON — Hatton Elementary Principal Seth Lewey resigned his position because of health reasons, according to Colbert County Superintendent Anthony Olivis.

Lewey has been principal at the school since 2010. His education career in Colbert schools spans 15 years.

The school board Monday appointed retired educator Leroy Willis as interim principal at Hatton effective immediately. He will serve in the position for the remainder of the school year.

“We’ll be posting that position this summer in hopes of having it filled by the end of June so the new principal can prepare for the school year,” Olivis said.

Willis is a former principal at Colbert Heights High School, having worked 37 years in education before his retirement two years ago.

“We’re very fortunate to have someone like Mr. Willis who can just step in there and start doing the job and do it well,” Olivis said.

Willis said his job in education has never been what he considers work.

“I told a group of students recently that I’ve never once dreaded coming to work in 37 years,” Willis said. “It’s true — I’ve loved every minute of it. (Brick Hatton) is a good community and it’s easy to be an administrator in a school where teachers are doing their job so well.”

Willis said he is familiar with the close-knit community, having taught some of its residents during his career. “It was a good fit for me.”

The school board also approved Monday night the resignation of one of its countywide speech teachers, Lindsey Gargis.

Olivis said Gargis resigned to be home with her child who has been ill. That position will be filled in the interim and posted for a permanent replacement for next year.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.