Jason "Jay" Pickering, principal of Bryant High School since 2010, will be the principal of the Little Rock School District's new middle school at 5701 Ranch Drive.
The school, to be housed in the former Leisure Arts building, will open to about 250 sixth-graders in August. Seventh and eighth grades will be added to the campus in subsequent years.
The new principal has a lengthy work history in the Little Rock public school system.
"The Little Rock School District is pleased to welcome home Dr. Pickering," Superintendent Baker Kurrus said in announcing Pickering's selection late Friday afternoon.
"As an alum of the LRSD administrative team, he is uniquely qualified to serve our students and families," Kurrus said. "We believe he has the talent, experience and commitment necessary to help our students achieve their full potential."
Pickering, 43, was an assistant principal at Central High from 2005-2010 and at the former Southwest Middle School from 2002-2005. Before he worked in administrative roles, he spent about seven years as a social studies teacher, head girls basketball coach and assistant boys basketball coach at Parkview High School.
At Bryant High School, one of the state's largest high schools, he managed 180 staff members and 2,700 students.
"I am absolutely thrilled to return to the Little Rock School District, and honored to be chosen to open the new campus. The middle school years are some of the most critical, and I look forward to helping our students make this important transition," Pickering said in a prepared statement.
He was one of 48 applicants for the job.
Pickering has a bachelor's degree in political science from Hendrix College and a master's degree and doctorate in educational administration and supervision from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
A starting date for Pickering has not been set. His salary will be about $101,000, including benefits, district spokesman Pamela Smith said Friday.
Metro on 02/06/2016