THE DALLES — At last week’s regular meeting, the North Wasco County School Board voted on two sports cooperatives (co-op) for the second time.
The agreements would allow four baseball players and two softball players from Dufur School District to play on The Dalles High School (TDHS) teams.
According to TDHS Principal Kurt Evans, who initially presented the co-op agreements at the Feb. 27 school board meeting, a lack of numbers within Dufur School District prevented the facilitation of a baseball and softball team. Both agreements would allow students who are interested to play this year.
Upon their initial presentation, Superintendent Carolyn Bernal recommended approval of the agreements. Following a discussion by the board — during which Evans and TDHS Baseball Coach Pat Clark answered questions regarding the tracking of academic standing, financial impact and potential impact on TDHS students’ playing time — a vote was held.
Due to the absence of two board members, and abstentions from Directors Dayna Wynn-Elledge and David Jones, a majority rule could not be reached at the time, and the agreements were tabled until the March 13 meeting.
Before hearing new agenda items, the board held public comment for agenda items only. Three commentors spoke in favor of the agreements. Community member Hunter Woods, a former student athlete for TDHS, spoke on the impact a sports co-op agreement had on his time playing and on those of future student athletes.
“My sophomore year, I recall there being four wrestlers who qualified for the state tournament. Two of us were from Dufur, and contributed greatly to the success of that team … Because of my involvement in the program and success on the soccer field, I was able to secure two scholarship offers to continue my education and athletic career,” Woods said. “If the decision is made to stop the relationship between Dufur and The Dalles, there’s no doubt in my mind that a kid in the future will miss out on the opportunity to play college sports and to potentially have their college paid for.”
Community member volunteer baseball coach Dean Dollarhide spoke on the district’s history with co-op agreements and his experiences coaching at both The Dalles and Dufur, and the culture within the sports teams. “I’m very much in support of those [agreements] and the history and the current culture of allowing both home schooled and outside athletes to come into the district and be able to participate in the programs,” he said.
Community member Taner Elliot spoke to the importance of helping neighboring communities in the spirit of the district’s values, even offering to cover the costs of the students who want to participate. “I want you to vote your conscience, and if that conscience keeps you from a student athlete having the opportunity to compete, then we are not being true to our mission statement, our values or our moral obligation as adults.”
During her presentation to the board, TDHS School Board Representative and Secretary Riley Elliott vocalized her support for the agreements. “As a student athlete myself, who has participated in cross country with two teammates from Dufur, I’d like to share that both of those athletes got our teams to state. I believe that these athletes are an asset to our teams, and I do not think that this opportunity for Dufur athletes to play baseball and softball should be treated any differently. I would like to verbalize my support for allowing the Dufur athletes to co-op with The Dalles in baseball and softball and all other sports,” Elliot said.
Prior to voting, Director Jose Aparicio, who was absent at Feb. 27 meeting, gave a comment, acknowledging Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) classifications and assuring that adding the students from Dufur would not impact TDHS’ 4A classification. He expressed appreciation for everyone who spoke in support of the co-op agreements, and apologized for the delay in the process and any impact the delay may have had on the student athletes.
“I personally … would like to apologize, honestly, because we’ve caused an unnecessary distraction and disruption to the start of the 2025 season. As a board member, I’m always very proud to be up here and to learn about the achievements that our Riverhawk athletes do, both on and off the court. So, I would say I’m sorry that this has been a rocky start to the 2025 season.”
With a motion by Aparicio, seconded by Director Joel Vaught, both co-op agreements were passed unanimously, with the exception of Director David Jones, who was absent.
The March 13 meeting can be viewed on the District 21 Media Channel on YouTube.
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