Northern Lights Public Schools is reporting that Trustee Tom Varughese passed away yesterday evening.
“Tom made a profound impact on the lives of everyone in Northern Lights and our communities,” said Board Chair Mandi Skogen in a statement. “He was passionate about education and ensuring that all of our students had the resources and opportunities they needed to learn.”
Trustee Varughese spent over 40 years working in Cold Lake’s education system. He began his teaching career in September 1974 with what was then the Bonnyville School District. In 1981 he was appointed Principal of Grand Centre Junior High in what had become Lakeland Public School District. He retired in 2006 as Principal of Grand Centre Middle School with Northern Lights School Division.
Trustee Varughese was known as a strong advocate for both students and staff at board meetings and in his interactions at the provincial level with other school board trustees, elected officials and Alberta Education.
“Tom had a passion for lifelong learning and compassion for others that made him a great trustee and also a wonderful mentor and friend,” said Skogen. “He made a difference in the lives of many people and he will greatly missed by all of us at Northern Lights.”
