Escambia County Superintendent of Education Billy Hines was taken back early Monday morning when newly hired Escambia County High School principal Joseph Dean resigned less than two weeks after being hired.

“He came to my office this morning and told me he felt that he was not the right fit for Escambia County High School,” Hines said.

The 38-year-old Butler County educator and Monroe County native began work at ECHS Wednesday morning. Dean was interviewed last week by the Advance stating, “I think we are in excellent shape,” when asked about the upcoming school year.

Dean presented Hines with a resignation letter stating: “I would like to begin by thanking you for the opportunity you have extended to me in your school district. It is with deep regret that I must offer my resignation to you at this time. I feel that the opportunity Escambia County High School offers is excellent, but I have personal issues and concerns that stand in my way. I hope you will accept my resignation and find the right administrator to lead the students, faculty and community of Atmore.”

The school board unanimously approved the hiring of Dean on May 27 at the board’s May meeting at the Central Office in Brewton. Hines said he would have to start the application process over again to find a replacement.

“We’ve got to move forward,” Hines said. “Since the board acted upon hiring Mr. Dean, we have to re-advertise for 14 days by law. We can interview any time during the process.”

Hines said he would have a recommendation for a new ECHS principal at the June 24 board meeting.

For more on this story, see Wednesday Atmore Advance.