Superintendent's Biography

<sup>Dr. Ashley F. Hinson, Jr. is the Superintendent of the Surry County School System.  He began his tenure with the school system July 1, 2004.  He brings to the Surry County Schools prior experience in the public schools of North Carolina and South Carolina as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent.  From 1997 to his arrival in Surry County, Dr. Hinson served as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Auxiliary Services for the Lexington City Schools.

A native of Horry County, South Carolina, Dr. Hinson graduated from Conway High School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina.  He earned a master's degree and an education specialist degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and his doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Prior to his becoming an assistant superintendent for the Lexington City Schools, Dr. Hinson served as principal of Lexington Senior High School from 1988 to 1997, assistant principal from 1980 to 1988, and as teacher and coach from 1977 to 1980, in Clover, South Carolina.  In addition to his public school career, Dr. Hinson served with distinction in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Sgt. Major and received a Bronze Star for service in Vietnam.

Dr. Hinson believes that community support for quality education is an essential ingredient for a successful public school system.  He has stated, "Essentially, the success of community support is creating an atmosphere that has the community knowing that the school system belongs to them. This is done through honest two-way communication and providing a school system that is successful and one of which everyone is proud."</sup>

<sup>As Superintendent in the Surry County School System, Dr. Hinson continues to work with the Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners to increase student achievement. During his tenure, a building program was implemented and is in progress, eliminating 40 mobile classrooms across the district. In addition, a foreign language program was implemented in grades 3-8 to help students work toward being bilingual. Also, a 1:1 laptop program became reality with students receiving laptops in fall 2009 in grade 7. Plans to replicate the 7th grade laptop distribution in upper grades are underway and will continue with grade 8 in fall 2010. 

Dr. Hinson has a distinguished record of involvement in many educational and civic organizations.  Most recently he was 2009-2010 campaign chairman of the United Fund of Surry that raised over $500,000 for 26 local agencies such as Salvation Army and Hospice.  This campaign was the first in history to not only reach the goal, but exceed the goal.  In addition, Dr. Hinson is an active member of the Salvation Army Board.  Following his 2007 Piedmont Triad Superintendent of the Year selection and one of six finalists, Dr. Hinson is currently serving as the president of the Piedmont Triad Education Consortium.  He was also appointed to serve on the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association Board of Directors for Region 7.  In addition, Dr. Hinson recently served on the Career-Ready Commission, appointed by State Superintendent, June Atkinson.</sup>

 ^{In years past, Dr. Hinson has served as chairman of the Piedmont Triad Educational Consortium Human Resource Directors Group, as President of the Central Carolina Athletic Conference, and has received a national award for safe schools.  He has served as a director of the Boys' & Girls' Clubs of America, director of Rotary Club International, and director of the J. Smith Young YMCA.}

^{Dr. Hinson is married to Lynne Cox Hinson, of Loris, South Carolina.  Dr. and Mrs. Hinson have one daughter, Holly Marie Hinson.  Dr. Hinson and his wife reside in the Pilot Mountain community.}