Dr. Steven Flynt was recently named to replace Columbia County School Superintendent when she retires at the end of the school year.
Flynt has been associate superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools since 2016. Before that, he worked in a variety of administrative roles within the school system, including serving as chief academic officer and chief strategy and performance officer.
Flynt was a high school principal from 2002 to 2008 and an in-classroom high school teacher from 1993 until 2002.
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Prior to beginning his teaching career, Flynt worked for 13 years as a supervisor at Stone Mountain Park where is oversaw a staff of 40 and provided training, oversaw construction, and managed budgets. He holds an Ed.D. from the University of Georgia.
The Augusta Press had the opportunity to pose a few questions in an interview with Dr. Flynt this week. Here’s what he had to say.
AP: What drew you look to Columbia County to apply for the position?
Flynt: Columbia County School District has been a very well managed and high performing district that I have enjoyed following for many years. With the growth in the county and the community support for their schools, I thought it would be a good fit for myself and my family. This was the only position I have sought outside Gwinnett because I wanted the right fit that would benefit the district, community and my family and personal situation.
AP: How would you describe your leadership style?
Flynt: I am very collaborative and enjoy serving the community. With the level of support throughout the community, I’m looking forward to building relationships within and outside the district so we can all support the continuous improvement of the school district and its impact on the greater community.
AP: What are some new ideas or plans you have done in Gwinnett you would like to see implemented in Columbia County Schools?
Flynt: I will first work to learn the system and build relationships across the county then consider areas of focus and development.
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AP: Columbia County has continued to grow at a fast rate for the past five years, and one of the big draws to the county is the high quality of its school system. As superintendent, how would you manage growth in the school system while also maintain the system’s high quality of education?
Flynt: I have been fortunate to be in a fast-growing district for most of my tenure in education. From what I have seen from Columbia County, there are good structures in place across government and community organizations to help support that growth. I will enjoy engaging with these groups and continuing to support the alignment of the work across these groups.
AP: Since the pandemic has started, 40 percent of Columbia County high school seniors have reported a failing grade. What are some ways you would apply to help Columbia County students recover from failing grades as we prepare to head into a new school year this fall?
Flynt: I know the Dr. Carraway and staff are actively working to support all students across the system, especially those who have experienced some gap in their learning and look forward to continuing that work and adding any insight that may benefit students.
AP: Columbia County will be building a new high school that will specialize in the focus of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education. Do you believe the county should look to expand these schools and let parents/students decide what specialty they would like to pursue or stick to generalized education programs across the county at all schools?
Flynt: We know students are more successful when they are actively engaged in their learning and can make meaningful connections to the world and their future aspirations. I look forward to continuing to find meaningful ways to provide these connections to students and families, whether it be new schools and programs or building on existing ones.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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