Sophomore urges board to reconsider counselor reassignment, saying relationships are 'lifelines'

Julieta Olson, a sophomore at Worthington High School, told the Worthington Public School District board that a recent counselor reassignment is harming students who had formed trust with the counselor being moved.

"When a trusted counselor is moved, the relationship doesn't reset, it disappears," Olson said, describing how she and other students had gradually learned to ask for help because the counselor "stayed patient" and "never judged" them. Olson said she spoke with about 15 students and several staff members before addressing the board and relayed widespread concern that moving the counselor will interrupt relationships that some students treat as lifelines.

Olson framed her remarks as a student perspective rather than an administrative challenge: she said she understands district decisionmaking but asked the board to weigh emotional continuity and whether alternatives were considered that could meet district needs while preserving established student relationships.

Board members did not debate Olson's specific request during public comment; the board's public participation rules were reiterated at the meeting start that limit comment time and prevent immediate board discussion. No formal action to reverse or modify the reassignment was taken during the meeting. The superintendent and administrative staff were present and heard the comment; the board indicated they would refer input to the appropriate district employee for follow-up.