Lewis Central administrators and coaches briefed the school board and took public comment July 21 on whether the district should pursue membership in the Missouri River Conference or remain in the Hawkeye 10, but board members took no vote.

The discussion matters because a change would alter conference scheduling, travel demands and postseason preparation for multiple sports, and the district has received a formal invitation from the Missouri River Conference for the 2026–27 school year.

District athletics staff presented enrollment, classification and travel comparisons for the two conferences, and shared results of an online survey sent to coaches, families and students. The presentation said about 48 percent of respondents favored the Missouri River Conference, 31 percent favored staying in the Hawkeye 10 and about 22 percent had no strong opinion. The district also distributed detailed tables comparing classifications, average drive times and sport-by-sport scheduling effects.

“Shenandoah is leaving, for sure, and going to the Western Iowa Conference,” the district athletics presenter said, describing recent conference movement and invitations that prompted Hawkeye 10 schools to explore changes. The presenter said invitations were also extended to a handful of other schools and that the Hawkeye 10’s ongoing reorganization prompted Lewis Central leadership to examine its fit in the conference.

Coach Rob Briggs, who identified himself as representing Lewis Central softball, told the board that under current MRC scheduling his sport would play 32 conference games — double the number of conference contests the softball team plays now — leaving fewer nonconference dates and raising logistics concerns. “If we were to go to the MRC … we’d play 32 games. We are allotted 40 total games for our entire varsity season so it only leaves us eight other game slots,” Briggs said. He also warned that, as currently organized, the MRC schedule would require multiple trips to Sioux City and urged the conference to allow schedule flexibility.

Coach August Mayans, who said he has coached in both conferences, echoed concerns about travel and the practicalities of frequent weekend and weekday trips. “When I was coaching the MRC, not one basketball or baseball or softball coach was happy about that travel,” Mayans said, adding that weather and river flooding in the region can occasionally make drives longer.

Other commenters urged the board to consider competitive parity and postseason preparation. The presenter said classification data show Lewis Central’s enrollment and athletic classifications align more closely with MRC schools in many sports, which supporters say could produce tougher regular-season competition and better preparation for postseason play. One parent and longtime booster, Kelly Bergman, emailed a statement urging the district to remain in the Hawkeye 10 and to consider Central Iowa conferences if a move is desired.

Board members asked procedural and timing questions. The presenter said the Hawkeye 10’s bylaws expect two years’ notice if a member leaves and noted the district had received an MRC invitation for the 2026–27 school year. Board members and the presenter also discussed a new state-level process: recently enacted legislation requires the boys’ and girls’ activities associations to develop a committee that will review and advise on conference alignments; that committee’s role and timeline remain unclear while the Department of Education and associations interpret the law.

No formal action was taken. The board was urged to read the full survey comments and to be ready to decide at a later date; the presenter recommended the board consider the community feedback and be prepared to act, since conferences could make reciprocal scheduling and invitation decisions.

What happened next: The board did not vote; the session served as a listening session and an information briefing. The district will bring the topic back for formal consideration during an upcoming meeting and indicated any vote likely would follow the timing requirements of conference bylaws and state rules.

Clarifying details: The district said the MRC invitation currently targets the 2026–27 academic year and that the Hawkeye 10 typically requires two years’ notice for membership changes. The district’s summary cited an estimated split in survey responses (about 48% MRC, 31% Hawkeye 10, 22% no strong opinion) and flagged sport-specific differences: baseball/softball scheduling and the frequency of doubleheaders in the MRC were noted as primary logistical concerns.

What to watch for: Whether the board sets a deadline for action, whether the Hawkeye 10 votes to accept new member schools that would affect Lewis Central’s fit, and how the state committee interpreting the new law will rule in membership disputes.