Buena Vista School Board member Wayne Flint, a longtime principal at Parry McCluer High School, died Saturday, Aug. 23, at age 85.
“He was a wonderful principal,” said Dr. James Bradford, former Buena Vista superintendent of schools who hired Flint in 1971 to be assistant principal at PMHS. Flint spent the better part of three decades as PMHS principal.
“He was a stern disciplinarian [but] had the respect of students, teachers and all of Seehis staff,” said Bradford. He described Flint as an inno- vative educator whose initiatives he helped introduce to PMHS included an extended, year-round school schedule and collegelevel dual enrollment classes.
FLINT
“He got the high school fully accredited,” Bradford continued. “He was an excellent administrator with personnel and curriculum.” Although he retired before the current PMHS opened in 2001, Flint was very involved in planning for the then-new school.
Flint, a native of Buena Vista and 1958 graduate of PMHS, stayed involved in the Buena Vista schools for the rest of his life. Following “retirement,” he was elected to multiple terms on the School Board, with his most recent reelection occurring in 2023.
Flint’s death creates a second vacancy on the School Board. His latest term was to run through the end of 2027. The other vacancy stems from John Rice’s resignation from the School Board on Aug. 5 due to his moving outside of the city.
The deadline for submitting applications from anyone seeking to complete Rice’s term, which goes through the end of this year, was yesterday, Tuesday. The School Board is to receive public comment on the vacancy during its regular meeting tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 28, and will interview candidates during a closed session. The School Board plans to appoint a member to fill this vacancy on Sept. 18.
The process for filling the second vacancy on the School Board created by Flint’s death has not yet been publicly announced. The vacancy will be discussed at this Thursday’s School Board meeting.
In a letter to the Buena Vista City Public Schools family over the weekend, Dr. Heather Ault, the division’s current superintendent who took office July 1, said she had an opportunity to spend an afternoon with him shortly after her appointment.
“During that time, he shared the rich history of BVCPS and his unwavering commitment to ensuring every decision placed students first,” recalled Ault. “I will forever cherish that afternoon of hearing his stories and drawing from his perspective, and I will never forget the insights he so generously shared.”
BVCPS, she said, “is a stronger, better school system because of Mr. Flint’s guidance. His legacy of service, leadership and love for our students will be felt for generations. He will be deeply missed by many.”
