Woolwich-Wellesley school board trustee Fred Meissner has died

Waterloo Region District School Board trustee Fred Meissner has died.

The board said in a release Wednesday that it mourns his sudden passing and flags across the board will be flown at half-mast Wednesday until Meissner's funeral. The board did not disclose the cause of Meissner's death.

"Trustee Meissner was an exemplary board member who sat on multiple committees," the board said. "His passion and dedication to improving public education in the region was second to none."

Meissner was elected in October 2022 to represent Woolwich-Wellesley.

Prior to being elected, Meissner was an educator at Elmira District Secondary School for 27 years, where he worked in the English and special education departments until he retired in 2018.

The board said as a trustee, Meissner was an advocate for inclusive, accessible and safe classrooms, schools and education system. He also worked to prioritize the student voice.

In a video on his campaign website, Meissner said he was a life-long resident of Waterloo region and had lived in Woolwich Township for the past 17 years.

"I still find myself passionate about education," he said in the video, saying if elected, he wanted to focus on "inclusive, accessible, safe classrooms, schools and communities for all students."

'Shining light'

"My heart is broken," Cambridge trustee Carla Johnson said on social media after hearing the news of Meissner's death.

"Fred was a shining light of hope and joy to everyone's path he crossed. Fred, we all want to be a little more like you," Johnson wrote on Twitter.

WRDSB chair Joanne Weston said in a Facebook post that she would miss his friendship and voice at the board table.

"Fred was one of the most kind, thoughtful, dedicated and funny people I have known," Weston said.

Woolwich Coun. Kayla Grant said had spoken to Meissner a handful of times and noted "his absence will be keenly felt."

"His passion for education and helping students was plain for anyone to see," she tweeted.

Meissner's death creates the second school board trustee vacancy this week. On Monday, Waterloo-Wilmot trustee Marie Snyder resigned her seat due to health concerns.