After a multi-year process of evaluation and conversation, Oskaloosa Schools has found its next competitive home. Beginning in the 2028-29 school year, Oskaloosa will join the Southeast Conference, pending approval by the Oskaloosa School Board and the Conference Realignment Committee established by Iowa Legislative HF783.
The Southeast Conference currently includes Burlington, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, and Washington — all Class 3A schools, matching Oskaloosa’s classification and creating what district leaders say is a more consistent and appropriate competitive landscape.
The process began before Activities Director Jamie Jacobs arrived in Oskaloosa. A conference alignment committee had initially determined the Little Hawkeye Conference was not the best long-term fit for the district, though no immediate action was taken at that time. The conversation was later reopened as conference membership shifted. “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.”
Jacobs said the size and profile of Southeast Conference communities was a central factor in the decision. “The move is right for Oskaloosa schools based on school sizes,” she said. “They are all 3A schools, and they are towns and communities that reflect our own.”
The Southeast Conference voted unanimously to invite Oskaloosa to join, with conference leaders citing competitive balance, student experience, and community relationships as reasons for their support. Jacobs said she believes Oskaloosa’s broader reputation played a role in that reception. “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,” she said. “Those are things we can contribute to the conference in a meaningful way.”
It is worth noting that the move was not entirely a surprise to those within the Southeast Conference. The rumor of Oskaloosa looking for a new conference home had been confirmed by at least one Southeast Conference school’s activities director before the formal announcement, as Oskaloosa sent a letter to the conference expressing interest in joining.
On the competitive side, historical results suggest Oskaloosa has found more consistent success against Southeast Conference opponents than against its current Little Hawkeye Conference competition, 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.”
While the move may bring longer bus rides for student-athletes, Jacobs sees that as a feature rather than a drawback. “Some of the best memories are made on those bus rides,” she said. “That team time and sense of community is a big part of what makes activities special.”
The transition timeline is governed by conference bylaws, which require a two-year window before a school can depart its current conference. While the Southeast Conference has expressed openness to accelerating the timeline if requested, Oskaloosa will not be asking the Little Hawkeye Conference to shorten its departure window, citing its own vision culture principles — notably, Oskaloosa itself voted to hold Pella Community School District to the full two-year timeline when Pella requested to leave the conference in October 2025. In the meantime, district leaders are focused on preparation, including building schedules, coordinating with conference schools, and ensuring coaches and programs are ready for the shift. “Right now, it’s a lot of planning to make sure it’s a smooth transition,” Jacobs said.
For students, families, and the broader Oskaloosa community, the move signals more than a change in opponents. It reflects a long-term commitment to creating meaningful, competitive, and connected experiences for student-athletes. “It’s a very exciting time to be an Oskaloosa Indian,” Jacobs said, “and the future is bright.”
