Newton Schools Seek Community Input on Future Conference Affiliation

Superintendent says decision will involve gathering feedback from multiple stakeholders.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:15am

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The Newton Community School District is seeking input from coaches, activity sponsors, students, parents, and the broader community as it determines which conference the district's athletic teams will compete in after the next two years. Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger says the decision is an important one that must meet the needs of the entire community.

Why it matters

Newton's current conference, the Little Hawkeye Conference, will be losing one of its member schools, Pella, which has accepted an invitation to join the Raccoon River Conference in two years. This change in conference affiliation for Newton's longtime rival creates uncertainty about the future of Newton's own conference membership.

The details

Messinger says the district is starting by gathering feedback from its head coaches and activity sponsors to determine the district's top priorities for a conference. This input will help guide the decision-making process as Newton evaluates its options and chooses a conference that best meets the needs of its students, families, and community.

  • Pella will be leaving the Little Hawkeye Conference in two years.
  • Newton is currently in the process of gathering feedback from stakeholders.

The players

Tom Messinger

Superintendent of the Newton Community School District.

Pella Community School District

A longtime rival of Newton that has accepted an invitation to join the Raccoon River Conference in two years, leading to Newton's conference affiliation decision.

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What they’re saying

“We are starting off with our head coaches from all of our programs, as well as our sponsors for activities, to determine what it is that we need from a conference, and what are our top priorities? That way we can determine what is best for Newton moving forward. I believe we owe that to our community, and to our kids and families.”

— Tom Messinger, Superintendent

What’s next

Newton will gather feedback from coaches, activity sponsors, students, parents, and the broader community over the coming months before making a decision on its future conference affiliation.

The takeaway

Newton's conference affiliation decision will have significant implications for its athletic programs and the broader community. By seeking extensive input, the district aims to choose a conference that best meets the needs of its students, families, and stakeholders.