It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Baker Block Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Baker, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am very happy and satisfied with the care and staff with Always Best Care.”
“Carol R. has been my dad’s caregiver over 6 months now and does a great”
“When my mom got sick and I was working - I didn't know where to”
“Shonda and her team at ABC have been a true lifeline for our family. They”
“I am a manager at a group home in Baton Rouge. Always Best”
“We are fairly new to Always Best Care, but couldn’t be happier with their services”
“Update on my review from a year ago: My feelings have not changed- Always Best”
“Always Best Care has provided us with a wonderful caring kind and dependable care”
“Always Best Care is a great company for caregiving in our community. Their processes are”
“Paula and her team are taking very good care of our family member.”
“Shonda Boudet and her team at Always Best Care of Baton Rouge have exceeded our”
“Shonda, I have had several people tell me how much better Aunt Susi is in”
“Always Best Care sitter Marilyn Beal is a blessing to the patients and families. She”
“Mrs. Erica Thomas and Mrs. Kelly Williams have been great caretakers. They both go above”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is providing excellent care for my mother at home and”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for. The administrative staff goes above”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful company to work for! I’ve had the opportunity to”
“Roshare Sylvester Is the best over here!! She’s been here for years,so helpful always so”
“The staff are simply amazing!! Roshare, and Jayde are one of a kind that does”
“My name is James and I'm a client of Best Care always best care. I”
“Our caregiver Chayne Waller is great with my husband. Thank you so much.”
“The team at Always Best Care provides quality care and took the time to ensure”
“HELLO…I AM NICHOLAS J TALBERT A DIS-ABLE VETERAN … THE CANCERS I HAVE BEEN GOING”
“Always Best Care has worked very hard with our family to provide what was needed”
“My attendance Ms. Karli has been a God sent to for me. I'm VERY SATISFIED”
“I am very happy and satisfied with the care and staff with Always Best Care. My caregiver Thelma Barnes is always here on time and arrives with a smile. She has become part of the family. Th office staff is great and always communicates with me well. If you ever need a caregiver please reach out to Always Best Care.”
“Carol R. has been my dad’s caregiver over 6 months now and does a great job! In addition to the assistance she provides with daily tasks Dad enjoys talking with her. Having her with him has improved his quality of life and given me peace of mind.”
“When my mom got sick and I was working - I didn't know where to turn. Always best care was the answer I was looking for. Their care givers are patient, kind, and very helpful! They call if anything is out of the ordinary. I can't recommend their services enough. Ms. Carol is currently looking after grandpa and she is an absolute angel. He has dementia and she just rolls with it. Don't know what we would do without her help. Please consider their services if you ever need it - but you can't have Carol! : )”
“Shonda and her team at ABC have been a true lifeline for our family. They have guided and supported us through the many challenges of providing care for our aging parent. From the beginning, the relief to have a trusted expert was phenomenal and a gift. Her compassionate and patient team helped us in so many crucial ways - Figuring out the right level of care, learning about the wonderful Oschner 65 program, and leading the assisted care facility evaluation process. We would’ve been completely overwhelmed without their capable and thoughtful guidance! If you are concerned and anxious about how to get the right care for your family member you should contact them.”
“I am a manager at a group home in Baton Rouge. Always Best Care has been providing additional homemaker services for one of my residents who is a veteran. Ebony has been his career giver for several months and she is fantastic! She takes such good care of my resident. We all look forward to Ebony coming to the home. Thank you Always Best Care.”
“We are fairly new to Always Best Care, but couldn’t be happier with their services and most importantly “Our Joanna”!!!! She has been a great fit with our family, is very patient and helpful, and most importantly is LOVED dearly by our Boston Terrier Lucy. We are entering new phases with the care that is needed in our family, and I feel very safe and confident with Joanna and the Always Best Care team in our journey now and for what’s to come.”
“Update on my review from a year ago: My feelings have not changed- Always Best Care has been wonderful. The journey of taking care of my dementia mother can be hard at times but our lovely caregivers Sherri and Monica are such a blessing. My advice to someone starting on this journey is to give it some time, not all caregivers are the right fit for your family member but when you find the right one(s).. they make an amazing difference. We’ve been using Always Best Care for about 5 months and all the people that have come into our home to help with my mother have had great. Our newest person, Sherry, is exceptional. My mother actually said “I had fun today.” I cannot tell you how happy those words made me. Thank you ABC!”
“Always Best Care has provided us with a wonderful caring kind and dependable care taker. Chevon has become part of the family in a short time. She jumped right in ready to help in any way she could. Thank you to Always Best Care and Chevon.”
“Always Best Care is a great company for caregiving in our community. Their processes are transparent as they provide a website so you can view your account 24/7. Jasmine D. was assigned to my father. Jasmine was a great fit for our family. She was very attentive and compassionate. She went above and beyond in the performance of her responsibilities. She helped navigate the transition to Hospice and the shift in the care plan. I enthusiastically recommend Jasmine and the staff at ABC.”
“Paula and her team are taking very good care of our family member.”
“Shonda Boudet and her team at Always Best Care of Baton Rouge have exceeded our expectations in every way. Their approach to caregiving is both compassionate and highly professional, making them stand out as the premier provider in the area.”
“Shonda, I have had several people tell me how much better Aunt Susi is in the last few days. I came back last night and visited her today and it was like night and day compared to how she was. I am very impressed with the changes since you and your team came on board. Thank you!!!”
“Always Best Care sitter Marilyn Beal is a blessing to the patients and families. She deserves to be commended on a job well done !”
“Mrs. Erica Thomas and Mrs. Kelly Williams have been great caretakers. They both go above and beyond their duties. Ms. Jessica, Ms. Claire and Ms. Salena all have visited my home and they all were very caring, very courteous and very professional. They all wanted me to have the best services possible. Ms. Rochelle and Ms. Jayde have been awesome as well. They are very courteous when I call the office with any questions or concerns. Thanks Always Best Care for everyone's continued support in giving me a better quality of life.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is providing excellent care for my mother at home and we have been very pleased with this company's service. Kelly is one of the kindest and hard working care providers that we have ever had in our home and my mother is very pleased with her. This company trains their workers well and follows up on their performance to ensure that all of the client's needs are met. It is very obvious that this company really cares about their clients and truly providing the best care for them.”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for. The administrative staff goes above and beyond to help our clients.”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful company to work for! I’ve had the opportunity to work in office with an amazing staff and out in the field with amazing clients! I’ve been a caregiver for Always best care for two years and I love this company! Looking forward to many more years with Always Best Care!”
“Roshare Sylvester Is the best over here!! She’s been here for years,so helpful always so sweet/understanding❤️she’s very respectful.‼️‼️”
“The staff are simply amazing!! Roshare, and Jayde are one of a kind that does fantastic teamw ork. This company is very reputable, and I can't be more proud to have gotten to meet these wonderful people on a personal level. These people truly care about their clients, and employees. I can honestly say that if I ever had a company , I'd truly want people like this to be running it. They're truly amazing, kind, loving, and has lots of patience, and compassion. I'd give them 10 stars, but unfortunately, it's only a 5 star rating.”
“My name is James and I'm a client of Best Care always best care. I have been inclined for a good while and since I've been a client I have received the best of care. My caregiver is Courtney and he is a blessing and has been a blessing to me. I am very satisfied with the service that he has rendered and I wouldn't trade him for nothing. I think Best Care for the courtesy and attention they have rendered to me and I'll continue to keep them in my prayers and for them to continue to render a good service to those of us who need it. I thank God for all of you and for Courtney keep up the good work God bless you.”
“Our caregiver Chayne Waller is great with my husband. Thank you so much.”
“The team at Always Best Care provides quality care and took the time to ensure that my mother has a caregiver that best suits her needs. Ms. Linda is punctual, exhibits professionalism, and takes initiative to ensure my mother is well taken care of. She has unique and effective ideas that make Mama's life easier. I hear her and Mama laughing and talking and it makes my heart swell. Ms. Linda and Always Best Care are a blessing!”
“HELLO…I AM NICHOLAS J TALBERT A DIS-ABLE VETERAN … THE CANCERS I HAVE BEEN GOING TO WAR WITH CAME EXTREMELY MORE MANAGEABLE ONCE I RECEIVED CARE FROM MZ FLETCHER I CANT BEGIN TO TEL ANYONE HOW BEST CARES TOP CAREGIVERS REALLY CARE …. THAT STATEMENT ALONE SPPEAKS VOLUMES …. THEY ACTUALLY DO ALL ALL ALL OF THERE DUTIES … LISTEN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE WAYS TO LET ONE KNOW ITS NOT JUST A JOB …. SOLDIERS IF ANY OF YOU ARE READY THIS …. BIG RED ONE ..(combat proven) 3RD HEARD FT RILEY KS. …. I SPEAK TRUTH MY CAREGIVERS FROM ALWAYS BEST CARE IS TOP NOTCH …. THE IMMEDIATE AND STAFF … THEY ACTUALLY RESPOND BACK IMMEDIATELY IM SIMPLY SAYING I DID NOT GO WRONG IN ALLOWING MZ FLETCHER AT ALWAYS BEST CARE UNDER MZ PAULA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SOLDIER!!! BIG RED ONE SCOUTS OUT FA”
“Always Best Care has worked very hard with our family to provide what was needed to keep my mom at my home. Our Case Manager Paula checks in with us routinely to make sure our needs are being met. She found a special Angel named Paula Batiste to help me on Tuesday & Thursday. My husband & I look forward to her smile when she enters the door. Mom loves her. She is hard working & patient. I am confident when I run errands that mom is well taken care of. I don’t know what we would do without her. She is a member of our family now. ❤️❤️❤️”
“My attendance Ms. Karli has been a God sent to for me. I'm VERY SATISFIED with the service I receive. Ms. Karli Is a very CONSCIENCE PERSON. If you all have more employees as her I feel everyone would get this type of review. She ???? and know what to do with me not having to tell her. She would make a great supervisor for your company. Please give her a raise. Sincerely Your, Arthur J. Ford Sr.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Baker Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Callihans Restaurant or visit Capitol Park Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Baker, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Baker, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Baker, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Published 3:52 pm Friday, February 7, 2025LA GRANDE — The Baker boys and girls basketball teams traveled to La Grande Friday evening, Feb. 7, for GOL matchups against the Tigers.The Baker boys clinched the outright regular season title in the Greater Oregon League with a 72-35 win to improve to 5-0, winning their 17th straight league game.The Bulldogs were looking to avenge their overtime loss to La Grande, and the Bulldogs got their revenge.But it wasn’t as easy as it looked like it ...
Published 3:52 pm Friday, February 7, 2025
LA GRANDE — The Baker boys and girls basketball teams traveled to La Grande Friday evening, Feb. 7, for GOL matchups against the Tigers.
The Baker boys clinched the outright regular season title in the Greater Oregon League with a 72-35 win to improve to 5-0, winning their 17th straight league game.
The Bulldogs were looking to avenge their overtime loss to La Grande, and the Bulldogs got their revenge.
But it wasn’t as easy as it looked like it was going to be early in the fourth quarter.
After Gracie Spike’s 3-pointer gave Baker its biggest lead, 49-31, with 6:09 left in the game, the Tigers put on a frantic rally in which they slashed the Baker lead to a single point, 54-53, on Taryn McIlmoil’s layin with 17 seconds left.
It was as close as La Grande had been since the opening minute of the game.
La Grande was forced to foul to stop the clock, and Baker freshman Molly Rasmussen calmly swished both free throws to make it 56-53.
Peyton Daggett’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer hit the backboard but not the rim, and Baker had secured its biggest win of the season and forged a tie atop the Greater Oregon League standings. Both Baker and La Grande are 4-1.
Rasmussen, who led all scorers with 19 points, said she has been working the past couple weeks to settle her nerves while shooting free throws.
She admitted that stepping to the line in the final seconds, with her team clinging to a one-point lead, was a different experience.
Rasmussen said the Bulldogs have been thinking about the rematch with the Tigers since the overtime loss two weeks ago.
“We just really locked in today,” she said.
Baker coach Jason Ramos said it was probably the Bulldogs’ best performance of the season, when considering the level of competition, what was at stake, and coming off one of the team’s worst offensive games in a 37-30 win at Pendleton on Feb. 4.
Baker never trailed.
“The girls fought really hard tonight,” Ramos said. “Given the quality of the opponent, and going on the road, to come out and do what we did for the first three quarters was impressive.”
As for the La Grande rally, Ramos said he wasn’t surprised — except by how deeply the Tigers carved into what had seemed an overwhelming Baker lead.
“I figured they were going to make a run, but we didn’t want it to get that close at the end,” Ramos said with a smile.
“The girls didn’t need extra motivation to get up for La Grande.”
Baker ended La Grande’s five-game winning streak. The Tigers, 15-4 overall, entered the game ranked fifth in Class 4A.
Both Baker and La Grande have one league game remaining. La Grande travels to Pendleton on Feb. 14, and Baker plays host to Ontario the same day. Baker beat Ontario 70-14 in their first matchup, and La Grande routed Pendleton, 60-34.
Daggett led La Grande with 18 points.
Spike had nine points for Baker, Gwen Rasmussen had seven and Mary Schwartz had six.
The Bulldogs could hardly have scripted a better start, as they raced to a 9-1 lead in the first three and a half minutes.
Baker immediately went inside to try to capitalize on its size advantage. Baker won the opening tipoff and Lily Logsdon passed to Molly Rasmussen, who scored inside. She added another basket, her sister, Gwen scored and Logsdon hit a 3-pointer.
Baker’s man-to-man defense stifled the Tigers, leading to several steals.
Baker played zone defense for much of the Jan. 24 game against La Grande, and the Tigers took advantage of the 3-point looks they had.
Ramos said he planned to mix up defenses Friday, but when the man-to-man proved so effective early, he stayed with that defense the entire game.
“The girls did a nice job of contesting without fouling,” he said.
Baker led 15-7 after the first quarter. The Bulldogs scored three more points than they did in the first half in their last game at Pendleton.
La Grande’s Peyton Daggett swished a 3-pointer early to get La Grande within 15-11, but Baker’s Emy Myer answered immediately with a 3-pointer of her own.
The Tigers had no answer for Molly Rasmussen inside, as she scored three baskets, including two with her left hand, and the Bulldogs answered every La Grande rally.
Baker also dominated in rebounding on both sides, with multiple offensive boards leading to second-chance baskets.
Mary Schwartz had consecutive baskets late in the quarter to give Baker a 30-24 lead at the break. Baker scored more points in each of the first two quarter — 15 in both — than the Bulldogs did in the first half at Pendleton, where they trailed 21-12 at the break.
Molly Rasmussen had 12 points to lead all scorers. Daggett led the Tigers with 11.
Baker started the second half much as they did the first, scoring the first six points, on baskets by Molly Rasmussen, Ashlyn Dalton and Gwen Rasmussen, to push the lead to 36-24 and prompt a La Grande timeout with 6:24 left.
Baker’s stellar defense continued, and the Bulldogs maintained their dominance on the boards. Molly Rasmussen’s rebound basket in the final 10 seconds gave Baker its biggest lead to that point at 44-29.
The Bulldogs had another fast start to a quarter, this time thanks to Gracie Spike, who scored five straight points, including a 3-pointer, to boost Baker’s lead to 49-31, the biggest advantage of the night.
The Tigers weren’t finished, though. They scored eight of the next 10 points to get within 51-41, and Ramos called timeout with 4:22 left.
La Grande continued its furious rally, getting to within 53-48 on Taryn McIlmoil’s three-point play with 1:30 left.
Then Daggett hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to cut the lead to 53-51.
La Grande was then forced to foul to stop the clock.
After Spike made one of two free throws, McIlmoil scored in the key to cut the lead to just one, 54-53. Baker called timeout with 13 seconds left.
On the ensuing inbound, La Grande nearly forced a turnover, but the Tigers also let almost 10 seconds go off the clock before fouling Molly Rasmussen.
The freshman then calmly swished both free throws for a 56-53 lead, and Daggett’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer missed.
BAKER (56)
Gentry 0 3-4 3, Logsdon 2 0-0 5, Schwartz 2 2-2 6, Spike 3 1-2 8, Dalton 2 1-2 5, Whitford 0 0-0 0, Myer 1 0-0 3, G. Rasmussen 3 1-2 7, M. Rasmussen 7 5-8 19, Ramos 0 0-0 0, Morgan 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 13-20 56.
LA GRANDE (53)
Hutchinson 0 0-0 0, Orosco 0 0-0 0, Collman 1 2-4 5, Hutchins 0 0-0 0, Strand 3 0-2 6, McIlmoil 4 1-2 9, Dodds 0 0-0 0, Daggett 6 4-7 18, Evans 4 2-5 10, Christian 0 0-0 0, Pennington 1 2-4 5.
Baker 15 15 14 12 — 56
La Grande 7 17 5 24 — 53
The Bulldogs dominated from the start, scoring the first six points, leading 22-5 after the first quarter on Jaxon Logsdon’s buzzer-beating stepback 3-pointer, and extending the lead to 37-9 late in the second quarter.
Baker led 42-17 at halftime.
The Bulldogs extended the advantage to 62-27 after three quarters.
All 12 Bulldogs played, and 10 scored.
Logsdon led all scorers with 22 points. Rasean Jones added 11, Isaiah Jones had 10, and Eli Long had eight.
Baker, 13-8 overall and ranked fifth in Class 4A, has one regular season game remaining, Friday, Feb. 14, against Ontario at 7:30 p.m.
A nonleague game against Class 5A Churchill scheduled for Feb. 15 was canceled because Churchill, from Eugene, would have been missing several players that day, Baker coach Jebron Jones said.
Baker will play host to the GOL championship game later this month, and likely will have a home game in the Class 4A playoffs on March 8 with a berth in the state tournament at stake. The tournament is March 13-15 at Forest Grove High School. Baker is the defending state champion.
Just two of Baker’s eight losses are to Class 4A schools — Crook County, ranked third, and Cascade, ranked second. Four of the losses were in the prestigious Les Schwab Invitational tournament in Portland in late December. Baker lost to an Indiana team and to three Class 6A Oregon schools. Isaiah Jones didn’t play in the tournament as he was recovering from an appendectomy.
BAKER (72)
Gambleton 2 0-0 4, Chandler 2 0-0 4, Churchfield 2 0-0 4, Clark 0 0-0 0, R. Jones 4 2-2 11, Heriza 1 0-0 2, Wellman 1 0-0 3, I. Jones 4 0-0 10, Long 3 2-2 8, Logsdon 9 2-2 22, Holden 2 0-0 4, Joseph 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 6-6 72.
LA GRANDE (35)
Hutchins 3 0-0 8, Hood 3 2-2 9, Azure 0 0-0 0, Hildebrandt 4 0-0 11, Kimball 2 0-0 6, Fields 1 0-0 2, Bonnano 1 0-0 2, Chub 0 0-0 0, Weaver 0 0-0 0, McIlmoil 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 2-2 35.
Baker 22 20 18 12 — 72
La Grande 5 12 10 8 — 35
GIRLS
Powder Valley
10-9 overall, 5-2 in Old Oregon League, 3rd place
Feb. 7: Beat Elgin, 44-29
Feb. 8: Lost to Union, 46-33
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 13: vs. Pine Eagle, at North Powder, 6 p.m.
Feb. 14: at Joseph, 6 p.m.
Feb. 15: at Wallowa, 4 p.m.
Pine Eagle
10-9 overall, 3-5 in Old Oregon League, 6th place
Feb. 7: Beat Joseph, 46-26
Feb. 8: Beat Wallowa, 44-43
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 13: at Powder Valley, 6 p.m.
Feb. 14: at Elgin, 6 p.m.
Huntington
7-10 overall, 3-6 in High Desert League, 7th place
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 14: vs. Jordan Valley, 5 p.m.
Feb. 15: vs. Dayville/Monuent, 2 p.m.
BOYS
Powder Valley
6-13 overall, 3-4 in Old Oregon League, 7th place
Feb. 6: Lost to Union, 54-34
Feb. 7: Lost to Elgin, 47-45
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 13: vs. Pine Eagle, at North Powder, 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 14: at Joseph, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15: at Wallowa, 5:30 p.m.
Pine Eagle
3-17 overall, 0-8 in Old Oregon League, 11th place
Feb. 7: Lost to Joseph, 57-40
Feb. 8: Lost to Wallowa, 50-35
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 13: at Powder Valley, 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 14: at Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
Huntington
1-16 overall, 0-9 in High Desert League, 8th place
Remaining regular season schedule
Feb. 14: vs. Jordan Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15: vs. Dayville/Monuent, 3:30 p.m.
The Baker boys basketball team hasn’t deployed its fullcourt press quite as often this season as last, when the Bulldogs won the Class 4A state title, but the La Grande Tigers weren’t fortunate enough to be deprived of the experience Saturday night, Feb. 22, in the Baker gym.The Bulldogs pressed from the start of the Greater Oregon League championship game, and the Tigers couldn’t deal with the swarming defense.Baker had turnovers on La Grande’s first three possessions, raced to an 11-0...
The Baker boys basketball team hasn’t deployed its fullcourt press quite as often this season as last, when the Bulldogs won the Class 4A state title, but the La Grande Tigers weren’t fortunate enough to be deprived of the experience Saturday night, Feb. 22, in the Baker gym.
The Bulldogs pressed from the start of the Greater Oregon League championship game, and the Tigers couldn’t deal with the swarming defense.
Baker had turnovers on La Grande’s first three possessions, raced to an 11-0 lead and later forced two 10-second violations as the Tigers struggled to advance the ball to midcourt.
Baker led 27-9 after the first quarter and breezed to an 80-44 win to clinch a berth in the state playoffs. Baker will host a playoff game, against an opponent to be determined, March 8. The eight playoff winners advance to the state tournament March 13-15 at Forest Grove High School, the site of the Bulldogs’ championship in 2024.
Baker coach Jebron Jones said he put on the press immediately to try to prevent La Grande from getting any sort of momentum.
It worked.
“We just wanted to set the tone, and I think we did a pretty good job,” Jones said. “We wanted to make them uncomfortable from the beginning.”
Saturday’s rout over La Grande, Baker’s third against the Tigers this season, was also the Bulldogs’ 21st straight league win, including playoffs, a streak dating back more than three years.
“We take league games very, very seriously,” Jones said.
Baker’s last loss to a GOL foe was to La Grande in the league championship game on Feb. 19, 2022.
Although Baker is on a hot streak, its six straight wins matching its 6-0 start to the season, Jones said he’s happy that the Bulldogs have two weeks off before the playoff game.
“We need a break, to heal up from injuries and sickness,” Jones said. “These two weeks will be beneficial to us, to get better as a team.”
He said he’s confident that the Bulldogs, with many players back from last year’s state championship team and with experience in multiple state tournaments, are prepared to deal with the high expectations.
“There is pressure because if we don’t win the next game our season is done,” Jones said. “But I think we’re prepared for that.”
Isaiah Jones led four Bulldogs in double figures with a game-high 18 points. Eli Long had 17, Rasean Jones 13 and Jaxon Logsdon 10.
Landon Hood led La Grande with 16 points.
La Grande didn’t score until almost halfway through the quarter. The Tigers then scored six of eight points to get within 13-6.
But Baker, led by Long’s seven points, scored 14 straight to lead 27-6.
Hood swished a three-quarter-court heave at the buzzer to make it 27-9.
Baker didn’t slow down to start the second period, going on a 10-3 run to extend the lead to 37-12.
Baker continued to score in bunches and to play swarming defense. Baker had a 12-2 run late in the half and led 54-19 at the break, as La Grande had another buzzer-beater, this one a rebound basket by Blake Hildebrandt.
Long had 13 points to lead Baker. Rasean Jones scored 10 points and Isaiah Jones nine.
It was an anti-climactic half, as the halftime score would suggest. Baker continued to score nearly at will, pushing the lead to 74-33 and setting up a running clock in the fourth quarter.
LA GRANDE (44)
Hutchins 1 0-0 3, Hood 7 1-2 16, Azure 0 0-0 0, Hildebrandt 5 1-2 13, Kimball 0 2-2 2, Fields 3 0-0 6, Tucker 0 0-0 0, Weaver 1 0-0 2, McIlmoil 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 4-6 44.
BAKER (80)
Gambleton 1 2-2 5, Chandler 1 1-2 4, Churchfield 2 0-0 4, Clark 0 0-0 0, R. Jones 6 1-3 13, Wellman 0 0-0 0, I. Jones 7 3-3 18, Long 8 0-0 17, Logsdon 5 0-0 10, Holden 1 0-0 2, Joseph 3 0-0 6. Totals 34 7-10 80.
La Grande 9 8 16 11 — 44
Baker 27 27 20 6 — 80
The City of Baker is closing its two F-rated public schools and placing them under the control of its highest performing school, the K-8 Park Ridge Academic Magnet School.The closures, approved Wednesday by the board that oversees this suburban Baton Rouge school district, are the latest salvo in a push by Louisiana education leaders to drastically reduce the number of schools earning F academic letter grades.City of Baker School Board members acted despite receiving letters Tuesday and Wednesday urging them to stop. The letter...
The City of Baker is closing its two F-rated public schools and placing them under the control of its highest performing school, the K-8 Park Ridge Academic Magnet School.
The closures, approved Wednesday by the board that oversees this suburban Baton Rouge school district, are the latest salvo in a push by Louisiana education leaders to drastically reduce the number of schools earning F academic letter grades.
City of Baker School Board members acted despite receiving letters Tuesday and Wednesday urging them to stop. The letters were sent after Baker released the agenda for Wednesday's special meeting. They were from Pam Schooler, who leads the Recovery School District, the arm of the Louisiana Department of Education that takes over and tries to turn around F schools.
"With this letter we hereby request that the City of Baker School District cease and desist from any and all actions to merge Baker Heights and Baker Middle School into a single K-8 school," Schooler wrote in her Wednesday letter.
Schools Superintendent J.T. Stroder said those letters are the first communications he's had with the state since December and said it's not for lack of trying on his part to communicate. He said he submitted required reconfiguration plans for both schools in September and then revised them in November, but the state has sat on the plans the whole time without saying whether they pass muster.
"We have heard nothing," Stroder said.
After the meeting, a spokesman for the state education agency released a list of 22 times that it and Baker school officials communicated since late August, doing so in writing, orally as well two face-to-face visits with each other. As Stroder said, though, the last formal written communication, before this week's meeting, was Dec. 12. Four more communications during that two month stretch were with individual Baker school board members. On Jan. 30, Stroder had a brief email exchange with Schooler.
For parents in Baker, the closures will mean little immediate change. Park Ridge, Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle already share space on two campuses that abut each other on Groom Road. Putting them all under the control of the highest performing school in the bunch, however, means the state can't take control of those campuses and hand them over to a charter school, as has occurred in the past.
"If you don’t have the school in operation, there’s nothing for (the state) to takeover," said Brandon Decuir, attorney for the board that oversees this suburban Baton Rouge school district
The City of Baker school board also voted to change the official addresses to Baker Heights and Baker Middle to campuses that are not currently operating schools. All votes taken Wednesday passed by 3-2 margins. Board members Clara Joseph and Linda Perkins both voted no.
Last year, two north Louisiana school districts closed schools at the behest of State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. Caddo Parish schools closed two F-rated elementary schools, handed a third F school over to a charter school group and made a variety of changes at other low-performing schools. Grant Parish, located northwest of Alexandria, closed an F-rated elementary school.
East Baton Rouge Parish has 12 F-rated schools. It recently closed three of them, all charter schools. The district is planning to close more schools later this spring, likely including more F-rated schools.
After the current school year ends in May, the Baker school district will have just two schools left in operation: Park Ridge and Baker High.
Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle have been in the crosshairs of the state since last summer. Both schools have had F academic letter grades for four years in a row, making them candidates for state takeover.
Park Ridge, located at 5905 Groom Road and home to about 100 students, will grow to almost 600 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. It has a C letter grade.
Baker High will remain the district’s lone high school with less than 400 students in grades nine to 12. The high school’s 3200 Groom Road campus was closed in 2016 due to flooding and did not reopen until last year after the completion of a $23.4 million renovation. It has a D letter grade.
Baker city schools collectively educate around 1,000 students, making it the fourth-smallest district in Louisiana. Enrollment has declined 24% compared with 2019, prior to the COVID pandemic, but the district has grown the past two years. Ninety-three percent of Baker students are considered “economically disadvantaged” and 87% are Black.
Stroder said he will proceed internally with much of the restructuring plan he submitted to Brumley in November.
“This consolidation will enable us to concentrate resources and efforts under one central administration to maximize operational and instructional efficiency,” Stroder wrote to Brumley then. “The district will hire a highly qualified transformational leader to lead this redesigned campus.”
Stroder said the teachers with “consistent success on state assessments” will be retained, while all other teachers and administrators will need to reapply for their jobs. The school district also will seek out “top-tier candidates” for vacancies, as well as new positions such as instructional coaches and social workers, he wrote.
To finance the improvements, Stroder is calling for a new round of Central Office staff cuts.
Published 9:27 am Wednesday, February 12, 2025The meager margin of two points could give the La Grande girls basketball team the regular season Greater Oregon League title over Baker.But the rivals might meet for the third time this season in the league playoffs.After splitting their two games — Baker won 56-53 at La Grande on Feb. 7, the Tigers prevailed 60-55 in overtime on Jan. 24 at Baker — both are 4-1 in league play with one game remaining.Baker plays host to Ontario on Friday, ...
Published 9:27 am Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The meager margin of two points could give the La Grande girls basketball team the regular season Greater Oregon League title over Baker.
But the rivals might meet for the third time this season in the league playoffs.
After splitting their two games — Baker won 56-53 at La Grande on Feb. 7, the Tigers prevailed 60-55 in overtime on Jan. 24 at Baker — both are 4-1 in league play with one game remaining.
Baker plays host to Ontario on Friday, Feb. 14. The game will start around 6:30 p.m. Ontario is 0-5 in league play and 2-21 overall. Baker won the first game 70-14 at Ontario on Feb. 1.
La Grande concludes its regular season Friday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. at Pendleton. La Grande won the first meeting, 60-34 in La Grande on Jan. 31.
Baker could still win the regular season title outright with a win over Ontario and a La Grande loss to Pendleton.
If Baker and La Grande both win, they will be tied at 5-1.
The tiebreaker is the total points for each team in their two head-to-head games, said Simon Lamson, Baker athletic director.
La Grande has a two-point advantage.
The tiebreaker doesn’t have an exemption for overtime. Baker actually outscored the Tigers by three points in regulation play in the two games, but La Grande had the five-point advantage in overtime in the Jan. 24 win at Baker.
If La Grande beats Pendleton, then Pendleton, the league’s third seed, and Ontario, the fourth, would meet in a league playoff. The winner would travel to Baker, the league’s second seed, for a playoff game on Thursday, Feb. 20. The winner of that game will then go to La Grande on Monday, Feb. 24, to determine the GOL’s top seed in the Class 4A playoffs.
Lamson said on Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, that athletic directors are setting up the schedule for the league playoffs.
The top two teams in the GOL after the league playoffs will earn automatic bids in the Class 4A playoffs, a 16-team bracket.
The league playoffs are important, though, as Baker, by beating either Pendleton or Ontario, then winning the rubber match against La Grande, could ensure it has a home game in the state playoffs.
Whether home or away, Baker, if it advances to the playoffs, would play for a berth in the eight-team state tournament March 13-15 at Forest Grove High School.
Baker won the 2023 and 2019 state titles. The Bulldogs just missed a berth in the 2024 state tournament, losing 54-53 to Philomath in a playoff game at Philomath.
Friday’s game against Ontario is senior night. Emy Myer, Ashlyn Dalton, Jayden Whitford and Kathryn Gentry will be honored.
The girls JV game starts at 3 p.m.
There was emotion in Baker gym as the four Bulldog seniors were honored, but there was little drama.
Baker started the game on a 26-0 on run, including three straight 3-pointers by Gracie Spike, and the rout was on.
The Bulldogs held the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter and led 26-0 at the break.
Myer had back-to-back 3-pointers as the Bulldogs continued the offensive onslaught. Baker led 30-0 before Ontario scored its first basket with 6:30 left in the quarter.
Baker led 44-6 at halftime.
Ontario made two 3-pointers but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Baker, which extended its lead to 57-12.
Baker closed out the game, 62-19, and finished with a 5-1 regular season league record.
The Bulldogs, 5-0 in league play, have already clinched the regular season title and a berth in the Class 4A playoffs.
Baker, which finishes its regular season at home against Ontario on Friday, Feb. 14, starting around 8 p.m., have won 17 straight GOL games. Baker won the first meeting 87-40 at Ontario on Feb. 1.
Baker seniors will be honored prior to the game: Grant Gambleton, Palmer Chandler, Jaxon Logsdon, Jack Heriza, Isaiah Jones and Colton Clark.
The Bulldogs will then await their opponent in the league playoff championship game. Pendleton (3-2 in league play) will play host to La Grande (2-3) on Friday to determine the league’s second and third seeds. The third seed will play host to Ontario, and the winner of that game will play at the second seed. The winner of that game will play at Baker to determine the GOL champion.
Unlike the Feb. 1 game at Ontario, when Baker scored the first 26 points, this one was competitive early.
The Tigers made two 3-pointers in the first quarter and led 8-5. Baker closed the quarter with an 8-0 run to lead 13-8.
Palmer Chandler had a rebound basket, Rasean Jones made two free throws, Jaxon Logsdon hit a turnaround 15-footer from the baseline, and Chandler passed to Grant Gambleton for a basket to close the quarter.
Baker opened the quarter in a rousing way, on Rasean Jones’ two-handed dunk, and that kickstarted a scoring run as Baker took control.
Rasean Jones had a conventional three-point play to give Baker its biggest lead at 20-10, Logsdon hit a contested 12-footer from the key, and then passed to Rasean Jones on a breakway for another dunk that enlivened the crowd and pushed the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-10.
The scoring run extended to 23-2 as Eli Long made two free throws and Isaiah Jones whipped a pass to Hayden Churchfield for an easy basket to make it 28-10 with three minutes left in the half.
Baker wasn’t done.
Isaiah Jones scored off a steal on the fullcourt press, Jack Joseph soared for a layin and Logsdon made two free throws, and Isaiah Jones and Long had consecutive baskets — Long was fouled and made the free throw — to boost Baker’s lead to 39-10, and extend the scoring run to 34-2.
Jack Heriza capped the run by swishing a 3-pointer in the final five seconds, and Baker led 42-10 at halftime.
Baker extended its lead to 61-17. The final score was 79-26.
Baker won in a rout, 69-12.
10-9 overall, 5-2 in Old Oregon League, 3rd place
Feb. 7: Beat Elgin, 44-29
Feb. 8: Lost to Union, 46-33
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: at Joseph, 6 p.m.
Feb. 15: at Wallowa, 4 p.m.
10-9 overall, 3-5 in Old Oregon League, 6th place
Feb. 7: Beat Joseph, 46-26
Feb. 8: Beat Wallowa, 44-43
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: at Elgin, 6 p.m.
7-10 overall, 3-6 in High Desert League, 7th place
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: vs. Jordan Valley, 5 p.m.
Feb. 15: vs. Dayville/Monument, 2 p.m.
6-13 overall, 3-4 in Old Oregon League, 7th place
Feb. 6: Lost to Union, 54-34
Feb. 7: Lost to Elgin, 47-45
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: at Joseph, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15: at Wallowa, 5:30 p.m.
3-17 overall, 0-8 in Old Oregon League, 11th place
Feb. 7: Lost to Joseph, 57-40
Feb. 8: Lost to Wallowa, 50-35
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: at Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
1-16 overall, 0-9 in High Desert League, 8th place
Remaining regular season schedule:
Feb. 14: vs. Jordan Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15: vs. Dayville/Monument, 3:30 p.m.
The Baker/Powder Valley boys and girls swim teams are slated to compete in the district meet Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, in Madras.
The Baker/Powder Valley girls wrestling team will compete in the district meet Friday and Saturday at La Grande High School.
And the Baker cheerleaders, the defending state champions, will compete in the state competition Sunday, Feb. 16 at Oregon City. The event was originally scheduled for Friday but postponed due to inclement weather.
The boys district wrestling tournament is set for Feb. 21 and 22, also at La Grande High School.
BAKER, La. (WAFB) - After years of failing scores, the fate of Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle School came down to two options: be closed by the Baker School Board, or be taken over by the state’s Recovery School District.The City of Baker School Board and the Louisiana Department of Education have been at odds for months now. Fed up with waiting for answers on how the state would handle the schools, Baker decided in early February to close the schools in order to move those students into another school in the district...
BAKER, La. (WAFB) - After years of failing scores, the fate of Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle School came down to two options: be closed by the Baker School Board, or be taken over by the state’s Recovery School District.
The City of Baker School Board and the Louisiana Department of Education have been at odds for months now. Fed up with waiting for answers on how the state would handle the schools, Baker decided in early February to close the schools in order to move those students into another school in the district.
“If they actually came in and did that, we would probably lose half of our student population,” Superintendent J.T. Stroder said. “We just can’t wait any longer, waiting for the state to make a decision and they’ve been looking at our plan since last August so we’re not sure why there hasn’t been any decisions made until we were ready to make some decisions and once we were ready to make a decision, then they decided they were ready to make a decision.”
Since these conversations started, the Recovery School District sent two cease and desist letters before the meeting where the board voted to close the schools on February 12. In a meeting, the school board’s legal counsel, Brandon Decuir, said they are not legally obligated to follow a cease and desist letter from the Louisiana Department of Education’s Recovery School District.
On February 28, the LDOE RSD sent another letter to the school board saying they intended to take over the schools, but the date had not been set until the most recent meeting.
“I am not aware of BESE being able to tell a statutory and constitutionally created body to not operate,” Decuir said “BESE doesn’t operate the Baker City School System, BESE operates the state department of education, which provides a measure of oversight and regulations on how the schools are to manage education.”
Due to the understanding that the school board has the authority over what happens to these schools, the board voted to close the schools on May 23, the last day of classes.
WAFB reached out to LDOE and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for comment but didn’t hear back from BESE. The LDOE says they will reserve comments until after the BESE meeting scheduled for March 11, where they will decide whether or not to take over the schools. Superintendent Stroder says he will be there to show support for his school system.
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