With the recent loss of former Portage la Prairie School Division Superintendent Hazen Barrett, his accomplishments in the community are being remembered.

School board member Rod Brownlee recounts how Barrett first came to be part of the Division.

"Hazen came from Dauphin to Portage and became principal at Fort la Reine School," says Brownlee. "Fort la Reine was a small school. Hazen stepped right in there and was interested in the kids from that area and the education of those kids. I worked with Hazen as principal of Victoria School."

He notes Barrett was always willing to speak up and become involved with principals and superintendents. Brownlee adds Barrett had a small school background, was a hard worker in developing things that had to take place in the division and moved into the superintendency field. He says he became assistant superintendent when Dennis Shindle retired from that role.

"And he helped to shepherd in the amalgamation of the high schools in Portage," continues Brownlee. "That was a huge, huge job. But, just as important was that he set up, as assistant superintendent, a new staffing formula for all of the schools in Portage. He kept in mind the composition of the various schools."

Brownlee explains that we hear a lot about school composition now, but Barrett was ahead of his time and did not restrict his viewpoint to numbers. He says Barrett was also the first person he knew who came to a meeting with a computer, taking his notes with it. Brownlee says he carried the rest of the board into that era.

Barrett was highly respected in what was going on with small schools and principals who looked for help with students. Brownlee notes he became superintendent when Larry Taylor retired. He explains that Barrett continued to advance resource and guidance time in the division, giving the principals more of a say in how their schools are run.

Community relations was another issue that Barrett always focused on, and became part of the Active Transportation Committee, as well as served as chair for the PCRC board. Brownlee says Barret believed that professional development was vital for teachers, principals and senior administration positions like his own and his assistant.

Above all, Brownlee, notes, Barrett liked kids and wanted the best for them from the division. He adds he was also a family man and always proud of his two children.