Board considers conference move

The Red Oak School Board is considering a conference move.

Currently, the district is among 11 schools, including Shenandoah, Clarinda, and Glenwood, in the Hawkeye Ten Conference. The change in conference would be a huge move for the Red Oak District, which has been a member of the Hawkeye Ten since 1930.

Activities director Keith Little met with the board at its meeting Nov. 27, seeking guidance on proceeding. Little said he had been meeting with people individually to discuss the possibility of joining the Western Iowa Conference.

“I met with seven people as part of an exploratory conversation about the possibility of becoming a member of the WIC conference, and see if there was any interest in it. We examined the distance of travel, and our enrollment numbers compared to other districts in the WIC,” said Little.

Little added he was sparked to consider joining the conference after Griswold left the WIC, and Little and Superintendent Tom Messinger met with the Griswold superintendent and had discussions. Little said he was seeking direction.

“I need to know where we go from here. I know we need committee discussions, but I also want to meet with someone from the WIC to give me some facts for the committee, and find out if they have an art, band, or choir day where all conference schools come together. I want to get a good feel for the conference and see what’s available out there,” commented Little.

Little was seeking as much feedback as he could on the potential change, so the board could make a good decision.

“I’ve heard from both sides. Some say they don’t want us to leave the conference, and others would like to see us move to a conference where our size isn’t such a disadvantage. Both are good conferences, I think it all depends on what fits our kids in the future, and where we’re headed as a district,” Little said.

Messinger said he, along with the superintendent of the Shenandoah district, were invited to a meeting of WIC superintendents, and shared what was discussed.

“They said their options were to invite one school in, and make it a 10 school conference, which it is currently, or bring three schools in and make it a 12-school conference, and have it two-tiered. They said they can’t stop a school from petitioning to get in, but said they will only consider a request to enter the conference if it came as a resolution from the school board,” Messinger said.

Messinger added WIC will not formally invite any districts to join the conference. If no schools submit resolutions, then the conference will be made a nine-school conference.

Board member Bret Blackman asked if any feedback had been received from the Hawkeye Ten. Messinger said he had spoken with a couple of conference superintendents, and said there was a feeling of understanding.

“The feedback I got was that they understood why the three southernmost schools in the conference may consider leaving. They also know our enrollment has shrunk the most. However, they didn’t say anything for or against us leaving,” Messinger explained.

The board agreed for Little to pursue further information on joining the WIC, with further discussion at a future meeting.