New Benjamin Logan School District (BL) superintendent Dr. Sean Flynn is ready to pick up where former superintendent Dr. John Scheu left off—making sure BL continues to make a big impact despite being a small school.

“I’m not seeing any need for major changes,” Flynn explained on Tuesday, Aug. 4, his second day on the job. “The kids are doing remarkable things. We celebrate the students and staff and a community that gives opportunities for them to succeed.”

Flynn’s career in education started long before he heard about the BL job opening. A graduate of River View High School in Coshocton County, he grew up in an area very similar to ours—a rural school in a county that “takes up a lot of land but doesn’t have a lot of people.”

After high school, Flynn earned his education and psychology degrees from Ashland University. He started his career teaching fifth-grade math and science for four years at Southwestern City Schools in Grove City. Most recently, he served as principal and director over Phoenix Middle School and Worthington Academy, where he led the district in online learning and career pathways.

Both the outgoing and incoming superintendents agree there are two areas where the Benjamin Logan district excels: the quality of the teaching staff and education and their commitment to financial responsibility. For Flynn, the former can be most clearly seen on graduation day.

“The last two years all of our seniors have graduated, which is not common,” he said, adding it’s “something to be celebrated.”

And Scheu couldn’t say enough about the teaching staff, concluding the district has a “dedicated group of teachers who put kids first.”

As for the school’s finances, Flynn pointed out the fact that the district operates in the black is also uncommon. As schools face changes in state funding, he says they’ll continue to do what they’ve been doing to serve their students.

Scheu, who’s retiring after 25 years as a superintendent, including six at BL, believes the school board made an excellent choice with Flynn.

“When you look at his past experience as far as being a leader in school districts, it certainly bodes well for ours,” Scheu stated. “Benjamin Logan will continue to make strides and improve under his leadership.”

Flynn has been married to his wife, Rhea, for 15 years, and they have two boys, ages 8 and 10. They currently live in Marysville, where Rhea teaches kindergarten special education.

Benjamin Logan students head back to the classroom on Tuesday, Sept. 8.■