The Lewis Central School District Board of Education voted to accept an invitation to join the Missouri River Conference beginning with the 2026-27 school year, a change administrators said would match Lewis Central with larger schools and increase opportunities for student participation.
Board members and administrators said the move followed a district survey and months of review. The board approved the motion in public session, subject to the district being released from any Hawkeye 10 notice requirement that would otherwise delay the switch.
The district reported more than 400 survey responses: about 50% of respondents recommended joining the Missouri River Conference, roughly 30% recommended staying in the Hawkeye 10, and about 20% were neutral. Board members said parents and staff largely favored the move while student respondents favored staying in the Hawkeye 10.
Administrators and directors said the change is aimed at aligning Lewis Central with schools closer to its size. Director Sturm noted competitive and postseason seeding differences in some sports when Lewis Central plays much smaller schools, and he and other administrators said a larger-conference schedule could create more consistent levels of competition and more roster opportunities across sports and activities. Director Sorensen, who was absent, submitted a written statement saying, “After weighing the pros and cons of both the Hawkeye 10 conference and the Missouri River conference… I am in favor of moving to the MRC.”
Board discussion acknowledged tradeoffs including travel, tradition, and impacts on nonathletic activities. Administrators said they had discussed arts and other activities with Missouri River Conference representatives, who indicated a willingness to reinstate some nonathletic events if enough member schools participate.
The motion to accept the invitation passed unanimously. Board members recorded voting yes: Miss Atkins; Missus McDaniel; Missus Peterson; Missus Sheffel (listed in the minutes also as “Shuffle/Sheffel”); Mister Sturm; Mister Wright. The board’s approval included the stipulation that the Hawkeye 10 release Lewis Central so the district can join as soon as possible rather than serving a two-year notice period.
The change will take effect only after the Hawkeye 10 or its bylaws allow Lewis Central to depart; the board’s action was to accept the invitation and to pursue the timetable that would begin with the 2026-27 academic year.
The board did not adopt any immediate changes to schedules, and members said longstanding local rivalries and nonconference scheduling options would continue to be considered when athletic calendars are set.