‘A very humble person’: Flagler County remembers high school principal who died less than a month after testing positive for COVID-19

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — The principal of Flagler Palm Coast High School has died less than a month after he announced that he’d tested positive for COVID-19, the school district announced on Wednesday.

James “Tom” Russell, who previously worked as the superintendent of Volusia County Schools, said on social media that he tested positive for the virus on Nov. 16.

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On Tuesday, the high school posted asking for well wishes for Russell as he continued his fight. On Wednesday, the school spoke in memory of Russell.

“The Flagler Schools family sends our prayers to Julie Russell and her children,” Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt said in a statement. “Tom was a valued member of our district, a person everyone leaned on for advice and counsel. He was quick with a smile and word of encouragement. He had the ability to bring calm to the most hectic moments.”

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Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker said Russell’s death will be felt not only in Central Florida, but across the state.

“We were all elated when Tom agreed to come to Flagler County to become FPC’s principal. To have an educator of his stature and experience was invaluable,” Tucker said in a statement. “He truly cared about everyone on that campus. This is a loss, not only for Flagler-Palm Coast High School and Flagler Schools but for all of us in education in the state.”

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On Nov. 18, Russell shared about his battle with the virus on the school’s Facebook page describing his symptoms and urging the community to stay safe.

“Allow me to be blunt this is nothing like the flu!” Russell wrote.

The district said a crisis response team of counselors will be on the Flagler-Palm Coast High School campus to support those dealing with the loss for as long as needed.

“The thing about Tom that sticks out probably from the time I met him until now is he is just a very humble person, and I think he never thought anyone was more important than anyone else, and that was something that stuck with me,” said Jim Tager, former Flagler County superintendent.