OSKALOOSA — The Oskaloosa Community is mourning the loss of Oskaloosa Middle School Principal Mark Scholes.

The Oskaloosa School District said in a statement yesterday that Scholes passed away in a tragic swimming accident in Lake Michigan while on vacation with his family. He was 44 years old.

Scholes had been with the district since 2013 and became the principal of Oskaloosa Middle School in 2019. The district said that they will share further information regarding any memorial services or other ways they can support the Scholes family as they learn more, but for now, the family is asking for privacy at this time.

Oskaloosa Schools will be offering student grief counseling today at the middle school from 9am-3pm.