Board approves cooperative baseball and softball agreements with Dufur School District

The North Wasco County School District 21 board on March 13 unanimously approved cooperative sports agreements that will allow Dufur School District students to join The Dalles High School baseball and softball teams for the 2024–25 school year.

Director Jose Aparicio, who introduced the items, said the combined Average Daily Membership (ADM) with Dufur does not change the district’s classification and that the district apologizes for earlier delays. "We sincerely apologize for the rocky start to the 2025 season and remain committed to doing better by our student-athletes in the future," Aparicio said. Community members who spoke at public comment urged approval; Hunter Woods said the co-op had opened scholarship and competition opportunities for students.

The board moved and approved the baseball agreement (motion by Director John Nelson, seconded by Director Jose Aparicio) and approved the softball agreement in the same manner. The roll call listed affirmative votes from Lopez, Vaught, Richardson, Wynn-Elledge, Aparicio and Nelson; Director David Jones was excused.

Supporters framed the agreements as equity and opportunity: "Every student who wants to participate in a sport or extracurricular activity should have that chance," said community member Taner Elliott during public comment. Several speakers offered to help cover any incremental costs to avoid restricting student participation.

The agreements cover the 2024–25 school year and mirror existing cooperative arrangements used successfully in other athletics such as wrestling, according to board discussion. The board did not identify any changes to ADM-based classification for the district as a result of the agreements.