The Baker School District has hired a Portland PE teacher as activities director for Baker High School for the 2024-25 school year.

Simon Lamson is teaching PE at Oliver Middle School in Portland. He is from a small town in Northern California and is excited to return to a smaller town where he and his wife can raise their young son, according to a press release from the school district announcing Lamson’s hiring.

“Simon has a ton of enthusiasm that we are excited to take advantage of at BHS,” principal Skye Flanagan said.

Al McCauley, who is athletic director for Baker High School and Baker Middle School, will retain the BMS position next school year.

Karen Cuzick at BMS and Tammy Mercado at BHS will continue to support athletic programs at the schools.

Lamson’s position will be expanded from athletic director to activities director. He will oversee not only sports, but also work with the advisers who currently coordinate clubs such as FFA and FBLA, as well as choir, bands and other extracurricular activities.

“We are excited to be able to broaden the scope of this position to include the support that is needed for all our students who choose to participate in any extracurricular activity,” Flanagan said.

In addition to extracurricular activities, Lamson will oversee driver’s education classes that students can take in either the first or second semester. This will allow students to get driver training during the school day rather than on evenings and weekends. Students can also earn elective credits for the course.

Lamson’s salary has not been set. The district is negotiating a contract with the union that represents certified employees, said Lindsey McDowell, the district’s public information and communications coordinator. Lamson’s salary likely will be set by July 1, she said.