Excelsior Springs board votes 5-1 to join Midland Empire Conference

The Excelsior Springs School Board voted 5-1 on a motion to accept an invitation to join the Midland Empire Conference effective for the 2026-27 school year.

Board members debated travel time, impacts on classroom instruction and the degree of coach and parent support before the vote. Athletic program staff told the board the move would better align postseason classifications and provide scheduling flexibility; school administrators and several board members warned the change could increase travel time and create more early releases for students.

Mr. Martin, who presented the invitation, said the Midland Empire Conference offers alignment with the district’s postseason classifications and scheduling flexibility for nonconference games. Mr. Baker, who assisted the presentation, summarized expected travel changes: "Our direct conference travel would require an average increase of about 200 miles, or dollar amounts about $375 per year per sport," he said. He also told the board that eight sports would be the most affected: volleyball, girls and boys basketball, softball, baseball, girls and boys wrestling, and football.

Board members asked how the conference assignment process and classifications are determined and whether the district would be required to play any school more than once per season. Presenters said classifications are set by activity and enrollment and that single-round schedules were typical at first; double round-robin schedules can be adopted later by a conference but are not mandatory.

Board members also discussed the results of a coaches’ survey. The presenter initially reported that 14 head coaches favored the move, with three preferring to remain in the Suburban Conference and two indifferent; later clarifications to the board showed the most recent summary as 11 yes, three yes-with-change, three no and two indifferent. Several board members said they had heard from students and some parents who favored switching, while others said they wanted more time to evaluate impacts on classroom time and transportation.

Caitlin moved to accept the invitation; Kim seconded. The motion passed 5-1. The board did not adopt any additional conditions as part of the vote and did not direct staff to delay implementation. Board members who opposed the motion cited concerns about travel time, impact on classroom instruction and the pace of the decision.

The board’s action sets the district to join the Midland Empire Conference beginning with the 2026-27 school year; implementation details such as finalized schedules and any conference-specific adjustments were discussed but not finalized at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Motion to accept invitation to the Midland Empire Conference (effective 2026-27) — moved by Caitlin; seconded by Kim; outcome: approved, 5-1.