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At its school board meeting on Dec. 18, the Aitkin School Board formally adopted a new strategic plan that will guide the district for the next five years.
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Barrett Petfood Innovations logo on the side of a semitrailer. Brainerd Dispatch file photo
A second Barrett Petfood Innovations facility appears to be in the city of Little Falls’ future, the Morrison County Record reported April 11.
The company, which just opened its extrusion facility in July 2020, has plans to build a freeze drying facility nearby if all goes as planned. This second facility would be a joint venture between Barrett and a Fargo, North Dakota-based company called Anchor Ingredients.
Sarah Barrett told the Record the pandemic is a boon for the pet food business as people add pets to their families while staying home. The extrusion facility was initially expected to employ 35 people, but it instead employs 100 and is running at full capacity. Freeze-dried meat from the future facility would be mixed with kibble produced across the street.
The Aitkin School Board decided at its regular meeting Dec. 21 that students in grades 4-12 would return to school Jan. 5.
The vote was 4-2, with Noel Bailey not at that part of the meeting. The two dissenting votes were John Chute and Cindi Hills.
Aitkin Schools grades 4-12 have been in distance learning since Nov. 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with grades preK-3 still at Rippleside Elementary in person.
The discussion at the Dec. 21 meeting started with Superinteindent Dan Stifter saying the district would likely be able to return earlier than the original Jan. 18 estimate.
Stifter initially pitched the idea of students in grades 4-12 returning on Jan. 11. While final details on the state of Minnesota âreturn to schoolâ order set for Jan. 18 are up in the air, Stifter said schools can return sooner if they present a plan to the state.