Sardis Enrichment School students get an introduction to their incoming interim principal today.

The Hall County Schools Board of Education selected Neil Yarrington, a former Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy principal, on Monday night to replace outgoing Principal Jan Hughes. Hughes retires Dec. 1 after serving as principal for five years.

Her replacement is a Hall County Schools veteran, who has served the school district in a variety of roles.

Yarrington was on staff at Sardis from 1991 to 1994, according to school officials. He is currently an administrator with Hall's special eduction program.

On Monday night, Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield praised Yarrington's leadership skills.

"We are very fortunate to have someone of Neil's caliber on staff," said Schofield after the school board unanimously approved Yarrington's appointment.

With the holidays approaching, now would be a tough time find a permanent replacement for the position, Schofield said.

Yarrington is expected to finish the school year with Sardis, so the school district can search for a permanent replacement during the more traditional time period for a principal in March and April.