FREDONIA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Fredonia Central School District has announced that Middle School Principal Paula Troutman unexpectedly died on Monday.
The district made the announcement in a letter to the school community which said in part:
"Dear Fredonia School Community,
I am sorry to be reaching out with some very sad news. Our Middle School Principal, Mrs. Paula Troutman, passed away unexpectedly last evening, January 1st. Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Paula. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible while still protecting the privacy of the family. During this time as we process the tragic news and cope with grief, we want to be sure that everyone within our district has access to counseling and bereavement support services."
The district said Troutman began her career as an Earth Science teacher at both the middle and high school levels before going into administration, first as an Interim Assistant High School Principal at the Fredonia CSD in 2007. Troutman then went on to other administrative roles as Assistant High School principal for the Lake Shore CSD, Elementary Principal and Director of Special Education for the Westfield CSD, Middle School Principal for the Silver Creek CSD, Director of Curriculum and Assessment for the Gowanda CSD, and returned to Fredonia in 2018 as Middle School Principal.
"As principal, Paula created a culture of learning, teamwork, innovation, and fun that made our Middle School a great place for students and staff. It is well known that family was the most important thing to Paula. This importance of family showed through in how she lived her life, in the family atmosphere she cultivated at the Middle School, and in how she assisted our students and families on multiple levels. It is Paula's impact on fostering relationships, a work-family, that our staff is leaning on as strength to be there for our students and each other. Paula will be greatly missed, as well as remembered, by both students and adults. Our district sends our heartfelt thoughts and deep condolences to her family and friends."
