Board approves cooperative baseball and softball agreements after public appeal
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Summary
North Wasco County SD 21 directors approved cooperative-agreement renewals that allow student-athletes from neighboring districts to join River Hawk baseball and softball teams after public speakers urged the board to preserve longstanding co-op arrangements.
The North Wasco County SD 21 Board of Directors voted to approve cooperative athletic agreements that allow students from neighboring districts to join the district’s baseball and softball teams for the 2024–25 school year.
Supporters of the agreements, including former and current coaches and athletes, told the board the cooperatives preserve opportunities for small‑district students to compete. Director Aparicio moved to approve both cooperative agreements; the motion passed on a roll call vote.
The board heard several public comments before the vote. A former student-athlete, Hunter Woods, and local volunteer coaches described long histories of cooperative programs and said the agreements produced scholarships, stronger teams and lasting relationships. One speaker urged the board: “Please, if you would, give these students an opportunity to come and participate as you guys have had in the past.” Those remarks appeared during the public comment period and under the agenda discussion for the cooperative-agreement items.
Board discussion noted classification and average daily membership (ADM) concerns used by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). Staff reported that combining the district’s ADM with the partner districts for these specific agreements would keep the district within its current 4A classification and would not change playoff classifications or travel expectations.
Director Aparicio said the board regretted the “rocky start” to the season and moved to approve the agreements “as presented.” The motion was seconded (name not specified in the record) and approved in a roll call vote (detailed vote names and counts not specified in the transcript).
The cooperative agreements approved at the meeting were listed on the agenda as: initiating action item 18 — a cooperative sports agreement with Buford School District for baseball (2024–25) and a cooperative sports agreement with Bakersfield School District for softball (2024–25). The board previously considered related winter‑sport cooperative agreements earlier this school year.
The board did not amend the agreements during the meeting. Staff will complete any required paperwork with OSAA and the partner districts as part of implementation.
