Beloved Folsom High principal dies

Jill Solberg, Folsom High School's principal from 1987 until her retirement in 2001, lost her battle with cancer Saturday.A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the Jill B. Solberg Theater on the Folsom High School campus, 1655 Iron Point Road.Born Dec. 11, 1941 in Grand Island, Nebraska, Solberg earned a B.A. degree in physical education at the University of Nebraska. After graduation, she moved to California where she was hired to teach girls' P.E. at Mills Junior High where she worked until 1965 when she transferred to Mitchell Junior High School.In 1969, Solberg earned a masters' degree and a Pupil Personnel Services credential from Sacramento State College. With those degrees in hand, Solberg became a counselor and department chair at Mitchell.She continued her studies at Sac State and eventually received an administrative credential. In 1973 she was named vice principal at Mitchell.Solberg transferred to Cordova High School in 1979, remaining until 1986 when she was named principal at Mitchell.The following year she was named principal of Folsom High School, where she remained until her retirement on June 30, 2001 after serving the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District for 38 years.Under Solberg's direction, Folsom High grew from the campus on Riley Street where more than 800 students were enrolled in 1987 to the campus on Prairie City, which now serves more than 2,000 students.After the new campus was completed, but before students moved to the new school, Solberg served as principal at both sites. When the Performing Arts Theater was completed, it was named for Solberg.The hallmark of her leadership was her commitment to base all decisions on what was best for students, explained her lifelong friend Nancy Berry. She would often tell staff members: "It's all about kids."Solberg was a visionary who was enthusiastic about new ideas, Berry continued. She continually sought ways to improve the academic and extracurricular experiences of students.After her retirement, Solberg enjoyed having time to go boating, travel and decorate her new home in Sun City Lincoln Hills."She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her enjoyment of life, her great storytelling abilities and her care and compassion for others," said Berry.In addition to her lifelong friend, Solberg is survived by her mother, Cecile Beran and the many special friends who knew her throughout her long career in education.Remembrances can be sent to Sutter Roseville Infusion Center, Two Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 270, Roseville CA 95661.