Coworkers and friends of Pembina Hills school division board chair Doug Fleming shared kind words as they reflected on the death of the long-time education advocate.
Fleming died suddenly on Jan. 16 after decades with the division, both as an employee and trustee.
“Doug’s passion for students, staff and public education permeated all of his actions,” said acting Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt in a press release. “Doug could always be counted on as a leader, colleague and friend.”
Fleming was absent from school board meetings for several weeks for medical reasons but recently returned to the helm. He was first elected as a trustee in 2007 where he represented the Town of Westlock. In October 2010, he was re-elected and appointed board chair.
He held many positions throughout his 40-year career in education, including teacher, principal, trustee and associate superintendent of schools.
Westlock Elementary School principal Terry Anderson met Fleming 25 years ago and said over the years, the two have built “quite the relationship.”
“It’s so easy to comment on him and it’s such an honour because Doug is one of those colleagues who was also a friend,” he said.
“He totally dedicated his life to helping others and being of service to his community. People like him, you don’t replace.”
Sharon Volorney, school board vice chair, shared this sentiment.
“It’s just been a rocky road this week. Doug was a very well-respected person and he has just been so much a part of our division for so many years that he’s touched the hearts of everybody and it’s really hard.”
She has known Fleming for roughly 15 years and in that time they became great friends.
“I think we’ve all learned a lot of lessons from Doug,” she said. “It’s such a big hole and such a big loss for everybody on the board and past members that worked with him as well.”
Former board chair Clayton Jesperson worked alongside Fleming for more than two decades in a variety of capacities within the division.
“One of the things that I always found with Doug … was he was always advocating for whoever he felt was at a disadvantage and I really appreciated that in him,” he said, adding this could be seen in his work with the North East Persons with Developmental Disabilities Board. “Always advocating for the disadvantaged: that was Doug.”
He said along with his commitment to providing a high level of education, Fleming’s good-natured attitude and cautious way of thinking made him a good choice to lead the board as chair.
With the chair position now sitting vacant, Jesperson said other board members will have to rise to the occasion — something he feels will be accomplished.
“The beauty of working with a board is that there’s seven people on that board. You’ve lost one and certainly there’s going to be a definite hole, but the beauty of a board is that you still have six people,” he said. “I know all of those people and they will certainly rise to the challenge and continue on.”
Anderson agreed, adding the division has been able to overcome several changes recently and said overcoming this hurdle will strengthen the division.
“Whenever you’re faced with adversity, quality people come forward and they work together to solve issues and that’s what’s going to happen now,” he said. “It’s a difficult time right now but good people always make good things happen and that’s going to happen with Pembina Hills.”
In an effort to keep Fleming’s memory alive the school division is working to create a memorial fund in his name.
“His family will be working with Pembina Hills for the establishment of a memorial fund focusing on students with diverse needs,” Volorney said, adding donations to this fund can be made to the division
Anderson said he, too, will look for ways to keep Fleming’s legacy strong in Westlock.
“He’s left an impression on everyone in our division — kids, teachers, staff — and we want to make sure his name is remembered and that we continue to learn from having him with us and what he stood for,” he said.
