Maple Valley, Boyer Valley consider merger
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Superintendents from two Northwest Iowa conferences will vote next month on a merger that, if approved, could create a super conference of sorts among smaller schools.
Nineteen superintendents representing schools in the Maple Valley Conference and the Boyer Valley Conference will convene in Mapleton Feb. 20 to discuss and vote on the creation of the Western Valley Activities Conference. The constitution for the league has been created, as having two divisions.
The question: Will the concept fly?
"I don't see the advantage at this end of the conference," says Tom Cooper, now in his 19th year as superintendent at Woodbury Central in Moville and the dean of superintendents in the Maple Valley league. "It seems to me that if we're going to reorganize, we should go more with Northwest Iowa schools than heading in the direction of central Iowa."
Basically, the plan calls for the Boyer Valley Conference, which consists of Ar-We-Va, Boyer Valley, Charter Oak-Ute, Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla/Manning (which will share sports after next year), Logan-Magnolia, West Harrison and Woodbine to pick up West Monona and Whiting (both are current Maple Valley schools) to comprise a south division of the new league.
The north division would consist of current Maple Valley loop teams such as Battle Creek-Ida Grove, Galva-Holstein, Kingsley-Pierson, Lawton-Bronson, Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto, Odebolt-Arthur, Remsen-Union, River Valley, Westwood and Woodbury Central.
Ar-We-Va letter starts process
A Western Valley league idea took shape over the course of two superintendents' meetings in the past couple of months. The concept might be traced to a letter sent by Ar-We-Va officials, who sought admission into the Maple Valley Conference. When another Boyer Valley school district made an inquiry about admission into the Maple Valley, a broader discussion ensued.
The fact that IKM and Manning will share sports after next year cut the Boyer Valley league membership by one school. Adding Whiting and West Monona to a southern division of a new conference appealed to some Boyer Valley officials.
"The Western Valley appeals to me most as the competition will be great for us," says Kurt Brosamle, co-superintendent at Ar-We-Va. "We'll be a smaller school playing bigger schools and come tournament time that will be a benefit."
A realignment, if approved, would not affect football, which plays in districts as organized by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
In basketball, Brosamle says, schools in different divisions would play the schools in their division only for league games. Contests with the other division's teams could be added, but would not count in conference standings.
There are also sections in the constitution for league vocal festivals, speech meets and the like.
"I think there are a lot of possibilities and good things to come out of this," says Brosamle, who graduated from Woodbury Central in 1981. "I think this will be a good fit for the entire Boyer Valley as a conference situation. Mainly, it will be a benefit for the kids."
Cooper isn't so sure. He said some travel time could actually be extended in a larger league. Then again, Woodbury Central, is centrally located in its league.
Superintendents are currently updating their school boards on the new conference scenario. All will be looking for their board's input -- and that of the public -- before meeting again for the vote Feb. 20.
"I don't know how for sure the board will direct me," says Cooper, noting that two-thirds of the superintendents would need to favor the plan for it to advance.
"My board is well aware of the possibilities it will happen," Brosamle says. "The board will make the final decision of what they want me to do, either vote yes or no."
Jim Simmelink, superintendent at West Monona in Onawa, says he's spoken with his school board about it. But before he votes, he plans to have a community meeting to talk about the Western Valley league.
"We are interested in some of the additions that the joined conference would bring," says Simmelink, now in his first year at West Monona. "We currently play most of the Boyer Valley schools in some sports. From that part of it, I do know there is a longstanding tradition (in the Maple Valley), but we're also looking at what advantages there are in a joint conference alignment. We're exploring all that is out there."
Journal Regional Editor Tim Gallagher may be reached at tim.gallagher@lee.net or by calling (712) 293-4229.
Maple Valley history
Randy Wiese, high school principal at Kingsley-Pierson, notes the Maple Valley Conference was established Oct. 14, 1931 in Battle Creek. Charter member schools included: Battle Creek, Correctionville, Danbury, Galva, Holstein, Ida Grove, Mapleton and Odebolt. There was an effort from the initial meeting to recognize high school athletes through a conference track meet and a conference basketball tournament. The finals of the 2007 Maple Valley Conference Basketball Tournament, by the way, take place this evening in Mapleton.
Nineteen superintendents representing schools in the Maple Valley Conference and the Boyer Valley Conference will convene in Mapleton Feb. 20 to discuss and vote on the creation of the Western Valley Activities Conference. The constitution for the league has been created, as having two divisions.
The question: Will the concept fly?
"I don't see the advantage at this end of the conference," says Tom Cooper, now in his 19th year as superintendent at Woodbury Central in Moville and the dean of superintendents in the Maple Valley league. "It seems to me that if we're going to reorganize, we should go more with Northwest Iowa schools than heading in the direction of central Iowa."
Basically, the plan calls for the Boyer Valley Conference, which consists of Ar-We-Va, Boyer Valley, Charter Oak-Ute, Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla/Manning (which will share sports after next year), Logan-Magnolia, West Harrison and Woodbine to pick up West Monona and Whiting (both are current Maple Valley schools) to comprise a south division of the new league.
The north division would consist of current Maple Valley loop teams such as Battle Creek-Ida Grove, Galva-Holstein, Kingsley-Pierson, Lawton-Bronson, Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto, Odebolt-Arthur, Remsen-Union, River Valley, Westwood and Woodbury Central.
Ar-We-Va letter starts process
A Western Valley league idea took shape over the course of two superintendents' meetings in the past couple of months. The concept might be traced to a letter sent by Ar-We-Va officials, who sought admission into the Maple Valley Conference. When another Boyer Valley school district made an inquiry about admission into the Maple Valley, a broader discussion ensued.
The fact that IKM and Manning will share sports after next year cut the Boyer Valley league membership by one school. Adding Whiting and West Monona to a southern division of a new conference appealed to some Boyer Valley officials.
"The Western Valley appeals to me most as the competition will be great for us," says Kurt Brosamle, co-superintendent at Ar-We-Va. "We'll be a smaller school playing bigger schools and come tournament time that will be a benefit."
A realignment, if approved, would not affect football, which plays in districts as organized by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
In basketball, Brosamle says, schools in different divisions would play the schools in their division only for league games. Contests with the other division's teams could be added, but would not count in conference standings.
There are also sections in the constitution for league vocal festivals, speech meets and the like.
"I think there are a lot of possibilities and good things to come out of this," says Brosamle, who graduated from Woodbury Central in 1981. "I think this will be a good fit for the entire Boyer Valley as a conference situation. Mainly, it will be a benefit for the kids."
Cooper isn't so sure. He said some travel time could actually be extended in a larger league. Then again, Woodbury Central, is centrally located in its league.
Superintendents are currently updating their school boards on the new conference scenario. All will be looking for their board's input -- and that of the public -- before meeting again for the vote Feb. 20.
"I don't know how for sure the board will direct me," says Cooper, noting that two-thirds of the superintendents would need to favor the plan for it to advance.
"My board is well aware of the possibilities it will happen," Brosamle says. "The board will make the final decision of what they want me to do, either vote yes or no."
Jim Simmelink, superintendent at West Monona in Onawa, says he's spoken with his school board about it. But before he votes, he plans to have a community meeting to talk about the Western Valley league.
"We are interested in some of the additions that the joined conference would bring," says Simmelink, now in his first year at West Monona. "We currently play most of the Boyer Valley schools in some sports. From that part of it, I do know there is a longstanding tradition (in the Maple Valley), but we're also looking at what advantages there are in a joint conference alignment. We're exploring all that is out there."
Journal Regional Editor Tim Gallagher may be reached at tim.gallagher@lee.net or by calling (712) 293-4229.
Maple Valley history
Randy Wiese, high school principal at Kingsley-Pierson, notes the Maple Valley Conference was established Oct. 14, 1931 in Battle Creek. Charter member schools included: Battle Creek, Correctionville, Danbury, Galva, Holstein, Ida Grove, Mapleton and Odebolt. There was an effort from the initial meeting to recognize high school athletes through a conference track meet and a conference basketball tournament. The finals of the 2007 Maple Valley Conference Basketball Tournament, by the way, take place this evening in Mapleton.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 1 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Outsider Looking In wrote on Feb 18, 2007 11:08 PM: