CORDELE — Jay Brinson says he feels like he’s coming home.

Brinson has been chosen to lead the Crisp County School System as superintendent, beginning July 1 when Dr. Judy Bean officially retires.

The former principal and assistant superintendent here says he has a lot of good friends in Crisp County. “This school district has a reputation statewide for providing quality opportunities for its students. I relish the challenge of leading such a system.”

Crisp County’s Board of Education, in a unanimous vote this past Monday, selected Brinson from among the three finalists who were announced two weeks earlier.

Currently, he is serving as superintendent of the Jasper County School System, a position he has held since 2001 when he left Crisp County. He also has worked in the Waycross city schools.

He received both a BS degree in education and a masters in elementary education from the University of Georgia, then went on to earn a Masters of Education and Specialist degree in administration and supervision from Valdosta State University.

Once he arrives in Crisp County, Brinson says he will look at the system’s data before formulating specific objectives.

Generally, however, he says, “I will work to improve student achievement which is the goal of any school system. I will continue to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, create a safe and orderly environment in which children can learn and maintain a fiscally sound system.”

With all the state cutbacks in educational funding, he admits that it will be a challenge to balance the budget and continue to offer quality programs. He thinks that challenge is attainable, however.

Brinson says his philosophy of education is relatively simple. “I believe all children can learn, and it is the responsibility of teachers to see that all their students move along the learning continuum.”

To the citizens of Crisp County, Brinson says, “I look forward to returning. I hope I can meet and exceed expectations in terms of delivering quality education for the school system’s children.”

Brinson says he enjoys both high school and college sports, fishing, dove hunting, hard work, reading and visiting with family and friends.