JACKSON – Northampton County Schools’ newest face was the center of attention here Monday.

A reception formally introducing new Northampton County Schools (NCS) Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy was held at Central Elementary School.

Bracy, along with his family, chatted up local officials, teachers and community leaders at the hour and a half long event, which offered refreshments to attendees.

“This is an attempt for the public to get to know Dr. Bracy,” said Tonsa Walton-Gary, the new Public Information Officer for NCS.

This is Bracy’s second public reception. He recently spoke during a unity breakfast at Boone’s Chapel near Jackson.

Rich Square W.S. Creecy Elementary School Assistant Principal Gwendolyn Bowser attended that breakfast where Bracy spoke about the future goals for the school system and focused on rigor, relevance and relationships.

“He did an excellent job,” she said. “I’m looking forward to (working with him).”

Squire Elementary School Assistant Principal Danny McCaw is also looking forward to working with Bracy. He said likes that Bracy is from the area and he felt the new leader of the schools knows the needs of the school system.

“It’s nice to have someone from home,” said McCaw. “I hope he stays around for awhile.”

Northampton County Board of Commissioners Chair Robert Carter said he was “overjoyed” to have Bracy in the county.

He noted he has known the Bracy family for many years and even taught both Dr. Bracy and his brother, Elie Bracy, who is Superintendent for neighboring Weldon City Schools.

“He’s a young man who’s going to be here for many, many years,” said Carter. “The family’s background is rooted in education and that can’t be anything but a plus.”

Roanoke Rapids School teacher Vanessa Smith of Gaston echoed Carter’s thoughts on Bracy’s age and said she was happy to have Bracy on board from the standpoint of a Northampton County native, schools advocate and taxpayer.

“I’m thrilled about Dr. Bracy. It’s a new day,” she said. “We’ve always gone older. …We need someone who can go outside of the box, come back in and reshape the box.”

State Senator Ed Jones welcomed Dr. Bracy to the area as well. Jones said it was good to have a person at the helm of the schools who was from the area and urged not only school officials to support Bracy, but parents as well.

“We’ve got to move forward,” he said. “I hope we all give him a chance and support and get behind him.”