The Central Lee Community School District Board of Education has approved an official request to join the Southeast Conference (SEC), marking a potential significant shift in the district’s athletic and activities affiliation after more than 30 years in the Southeast Iowa Superconference (SEISC), according to a press release from the district.
Central Lee would not be the first school to depart the SEISC in recent years. Cardinal left the conference at the start of the 2022-23 school year when it joined the South Central Conference. Central Lee’s potential departure would continue that pattern of schools reassessing their conference fit as enrollment trends and activity offerings evolve across southeast Iowa.
Central Lee is currently a member of the SEISC’s South Division, which includes Burlington Notre Dame, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Mediapolis, New London, Van Buren County, and West Burlington — seven schools in total. The North Division consists of nine schools: Columbus, Highland, Hillcrest Academy, Lone Tree, Louisa-Muscatine, Pekin, WACO, Wapello, and Winfield-Mount Union. Should Central Lee’s departure be approved, it remains to be seen whether the SEISC would move a school from the North Division to the South to rebalance the conference.
The board approved the request at its Tuesday, June 16th meeting. That same day, letters were sent to Southeast Conference schools and SEISC schools formally requesting the move. As of Tuesday, June 23rd, the district had not yet received a response, as athletic directors will take the letter to their respective board members before any decision is made.
If approved, Central Lee would join the Southeast Conference for varsity athletics beginning with the 2028-29 school year and for middle school athletics beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The move would require approval from both the Southeast Conference schools and the Conference Realignment Committee appointed by the Iowa Legislature.
Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier said one of the primary drivers of the decision is ensuring meaningful participation opportunities at all levels. “While varsity athletics often receive the most attention, one of the most important considerations for our district is ensuring opportunities for participation at the junior high, freshman, and junior varsity levels,” Crozier said. “We believe the Southeast Conference structure will provide more consistent opportunities for our students to compete and participate.”
The district cited several factors behind the request. Central Lee has experienced continued enrollment growth and is expected to compete as a Class 3A school in nearly all sports within the next few years. The district has also expanded its activities and athletic programs in recent years, adding girls soccer and boys and girls bowling — programs not currently recognized within the SEISC structure. District officials also noted that lower-level competitions within the SEISC were sometimes reduced or canceled due to participation numbers among smaller member schools.
Beyond athletics, Central Lee leadership said they hope to expand conference-based opportunities for students involved in activities such as choir, band, science fair, and clubs.
“We are excited about the opportunities this move creates for our students both academically and athletically,” Crozier said. “Our goal is to provide meaningful experiences for students across a wide range of activities and interests.”
Current Southeast Conference members include Burlington, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, and Washington. Oskaloosa is scheduled to be admitted in 2027-28. Central Lee’s addition, if approved, would further expand the conference’s footprint in southeast Iowa to eight schools.
