RIPON – Back in January, Amie Carter-Baker filled in as principal at Ripona School.

She was needed at a time when Principal Warren Council was out for medical reasons.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d like working at the elementary-school level,” said Carter-Baker, who spent her nine years in education predominantly at the high schools.

But those six months at Ripona helped groom her for Colony Oak School.

At Monday’s Ripon Unified school board meeting, Carter-Baker was named principal at that school while Keith Rangel was announced as vice principal at Ripon High.

Both announcements were made following the closed session.

“I loved my experience as principal (at Ripona) and now I’m looking forward to working at Colony Oak,” Carter-Baker said.

Before that, she served as vice principal at Ripon High since 2009. She also taught English there for six years and at East Union High, from 2002-03.

Carter-Baker has a degree in English from Northern Arizona University, earning her teaching and administrative credentials from California State University, Stanislaus.

When she moved to Ripona, Rangel was her replacement as vice principal at Ripon High.

He officially had the interim title removed from his name.

“I learned a lot about the job during these past few months and now I’m ready to move forward,” Rangel said.

He’s a 1995 graduate of RHS, attending the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, with degrees in Education and Physical Ed.

Rangel has served as both teacher and coach at RHS. He taught Life Skills Health and Reading Foundation and coached track and football.