In a statement released by the Faribault School District yesterday, it was announced that Northfield High School Activities Director Joel Olson will become the new principal of Faribault High School on July 1st.
Olson, who has been the Activities Director since 2018, is a 1987 graduate of Faribault High School.
“I’m really happy to have found my way back home and to be able to lead the building that I graduated from and where I met the people that shaped me and my career,” he said in the statement. “I am who I am today because of the teachers and staff at that high school.”
Olson has even deeper ties to the school. Both his parents each taught and coached there for 50 years.
He said his philosophy as an educator is to ensure that every student feels that they are loved, they are valued, and that they belong.
“Kids come to school because of the staff and the friendships they make,” he said. “I think we need to get that base and continue to work on and improve the things that are already in place.”
He will replace current Faribault High School Principal, Jamie Bente, who has accepted an offer to become the new Superintendent of the Faribault School District.
Lippert, legislature looking to help with Bird Flu outbreak
Last week, the Minnesota Senate passed a Drought Relief package that included provisions for the University of Minnesota and the State
Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory to test for and combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as Bird Flu. An outbreak has been spreading across the country in recent months and has now been found in Minnesota.
Representative Todd Lippert said the outbreak is something to be very concerned about. The last time the state experienced a bird flu epidemic in 2015, cost the state poultry producers an estimated $650 Million. As Minnesota is one of the largest turkey producers in the country, Lippert said the legislature will be looking for more ways to help fight the outbreak.
“At the legislature, we’re going to be having conversations about extra funds that need to be provided to the board of animal health to make sure that we’re supporting producers and helping them get through what they are seeing with their birds. It’s a very stressful time for poultry producers in this state.”
Representative Lippert said it is extremely important for the owners of bacIk yard flocks to keep an eye on their birds as well.
“Water fowl are carrying this [virus,]” he said, “and it’s spreading very quickly across the country.
“Everyone should be taking care and paying attention to their birds.”
Lippert said the State Board of Animal Health website has a wealth of valuable information available to bird owners. He said it will provide information on knowing the signs of HPAI, how to submit samples for testing, and how to report a possible case by calling the special hotline.
He said the Board has also put quite a bit of work into Biosecurity strategies since 2015, and the website has a complete listing of measures that can be taken to protect a flock. The website also has a link to the USDA’s Defend the Flock page.
As for the legislature, the drought relief package that passed the house was voted on before the discovery of the virus in Minnesota. It is expected that the House will accept the Bird Flu provisions in conference committee and send the bill to Governor Walz to sign.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
Draheim bill supports Mental Health Urgency Rooms
Senator Rich Draheim said as the deadlines for bills to receive a hearing has passed, he has several pieces of legislation that are still active, one of which would support a new solution for children and young adults in mental health crisis.
Draheim has been a vocal advocate for more mental health support from the state by introducing bills to add more mental health beds around the state and another that would forgive student loans to those who go into the mental health field. The bill making the rounds in the senate right now is a bi-partisan bill created with Democratic Senator Jason Isaacson that would offer grants to establish more Mental Health Urgency Rooms.
Mental Health Urgency Rooms serve teenagers and young adults up to age 25, offering a place to find help from the moment they realize there is a problem to the point where they are diagnosed and are receiving help.
Draheim said there is a deep need for these facilities for several reasons. It addresses initial contact, he said, which, for children, can be the most important part of the issue. Furthermore, it creates a place specifically for mental health patients in crisis to go. Right now, many needing immediate help will go to an Emergency Room, which is generally not equipped to deal with this sort of crisis, and that can only exacerbate the problem.
“We’re hearing horror stories of people literally waiting days in an emergency room to get into. Just sitting there, waiting to find someone to take their teenage kid to somewhere they can get help. So, we’re trying to address that.”
The bill would create competitive grants for non-profits, counties, hospitals, and any other entity that is looking to establish an Urgency Room.
“This meets the needs of providers where they are,” he said, “and helps to solve one of the great problems that parents of kids with mental health issues face.”
Draheim said, “like every other person who has introduced a mental health bill,” this bill has been criticized for not solving all the problems in mental health care. But, he said, there are too many issues for any one piece of legislation to address, and this bill is only one of a number of needed solutions.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with State Senator Rich Draheim can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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