Oskaloosa to join Southeast Conference

OSKALOOSA — After years of evaluation and conversation, Oskaloosa Schools has found its next competitive home.

Beginning with the 2028-29 school year, Oskaloosa will join the Southeast Conference, pending school board approval. The move is being made to better align with the community, strengthen competition and enhance the experience for student-athletes according to district officials.

The decision follows a multi-year process that began before current activities director Jamie Jacobs arrived in Oskaloosa. The conference alignment committee initially determined the Little Hawkeye Conference, which Oskaloosa is currently a member of, was not the best long-term fit.

“This process started before my tenure,” Jacobs said. “When I joined, there was a push to reopen this committee and take another look at where we may fit in.”

The Southeast Conference currently includes Fairfield, Burlington, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant and Washington. The structure of the conference both in terms of size and community profile were cited as the benefits for Oskaloosa joining the conference.

“The move is right for Oskaloosa schools based on school sizes,” Jacobs said. “They are all 3A schools, and they are towns and communities that reflect our own.”

That alignment was a key factor in the conference’s unanimous vote to invite Oskaloosa to join. Conference leaders pointed to competitive balance, student experience, and community relationships as reasons for their support.

For Jacobs, that endorsement speaks to the district’s broader reputation.

“I think some of the things that stood out were our fine arts opportunities, the positive experiences we’ve created, and even our media presence,” Jacobs said. “Those are things we can contribute to the conference in a meaningful way.”

Beyond alignment, the move is expected to improve the day-to-day experience for students. While travel distances may increase, Jacobs sees that as an opportunity rather than a drawback.

“Some of the best memories are made on those bus rides,” Jacobs said. “That team time and sense of community is a big part of what makes activities special.”

On the field and court, the shift brings a more balanced level of competition. Historical results suggest Oskaloosa has found more consistent success against Southeast Conference opponents compared to the Little Hawkeye conference, while still facing meaningful competition.

“It’s not a situation where we walk in and dominate,” Jacobs said. “It’s good competition that pushes us and makes us better.”

The transition timeline is set by conference bylaws, requiring a two-year window before departure from the Little Hawkeye Conference. While the Southeast Conference has expressed openness to accelerating the timeline, Oskaloosa will not be requesting this from the LHC due to its vision culture principles. Oskaloosa voted to hold Pella Community School District to the two-year timeline when they requested to leave the conference in October of 2025.