The Charles City and Decorah School Districts continue to play the waiting game on possible new conference affiliations starting with the 2025-26 academic year.
Both the Comets and Vikings are currently in the Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC), which will dissolve after the 2024-25 school year. A move set in motion when fellow NEIC members New Hampton, Waukon and Cresco-Crestwood opted to join the Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) starting with the 25-26 school year. Plus, Waverly-Shell Rock departs the NEIC at the end of this school year, June 30th.
That has left Charles City and Decorah looking for new conference homes.
In March, Charles City’s bid to join the North Central Conference (NCC) was denied, despite an 8-2 vote in favor of the Comets. However, NCC bylaws allow for denial if more than one member school votes against it.
In May, with approval from the Charles City School Board, Activities Director Dana Sullivan filed a “letter of concern†with the Iowa Board of Education (BOE) seeking mediation to get them into the NCC.Â
In April, Decorah found themselves in a similar situation when the Vikings were voted down by an 8-2 count to gain entry into the UIC. They have also since filed for mediation with the BOE.
To this point, Sullivan and Decorah Superintendent Tim Cronin say the only response they have gotten from the BOE is acknowledgment of receipt of their respective letters of concern.Â
