Four NCMC Schools Considering Proposal to Join Midland Empire Conference

Marshall, Moberly, Kirksville, and Mexico public schools weigh conference realignment

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:59pm

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The Marshall Public Schools Board of Education, along with school boards in Moberly, Kirksville, and Mexico, are considering a proposal to have their North Central Missouri Conference (NCMC) schools join the Midland Empire Conference (MEC). The proposal comes as the NCMC is set to dissolve in the coming months, with some member schools joining other conferences. The MEC is also undergoing its own membership changes, creating an opportunity for the NCMC schools to potentially join.

Why it matters

This conference realignment could have significant implications for high school sports in the region, as the NCMC and MEC schools would be pitted against each other in various athletic competitions. The move also reflects the broader trend of school districts adapting to changing enrollment and competitive landscapes by exploring new conference affiliations.

The details

According to the agenda, the Marshall Public Schools Board will consider the proposal to join the MEC at their meeting on Tuesday, March 10. The school boards in Moberly and Kirksville will also discuss the proposal at their respective meetings this week. A letter from the current MEC chairman indicates that the conference's member schools have expressed strong support for the NCMC schools to join. The proposal comes as the NCMC is set to dissolve in the coming months, with Fulton joining the Tri-County Conference and Hannibal going independent. The MEC is also undergoing its own changes, with Kansas City's St Pius X leaving to become independent and a restructuring plan in the St. Joseph School District impacting the conference's membership.

  • The Marshall Public Schools Board will consider the proposal at their meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
  • The Moberly school board will also discuss the proposal at their meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
  • The Kirksville school board discussed the proposal at their meeting last Thursday.

The players

Marshall Public Schools Board of Education

The school board in Marshall, Missouri that will consider the proposal to join the Midland Empire Conference.

Moberly Public Schools Board of Education

The school board in Moberly, Missouri that will also consider the proposal to join the Midland Empire Conference.

Kirksville Public Schools Board of Education

The school board in Kirksville, Missouri that discussed the proposal to join the Midland Empire Conference at their meeting last week.

Midland Empire Conference

The high school athletic conference that the North Central Missouri Conference schools are considering joining.

North Central Missouri Conference

The current high school athletic conference that the Marshall, Moberly, Kirksville, and Mexico public schools are members of, which is set to dissolve in the coming months.

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What they’re saying

“The conference's member schools expressed strong support for Marshall and three other North Central Missouri Conference schools (Kirksville, Mexico, and Moberly) to join.”

— Philip Pohren, Midland Empire Conference Chairman and Maryville R-II Superintendent

What’s next

For Marshall and the other NCMC schools to receive formal admission to the Midland Empire Conference, the MEC's Board of Controls will need to approve the proposal at their next scheduled meeting on April 9.

The takeaway

This proposed conference realignment reflects the ongoing evolution of high school sports in the region, as school districts navigate changing enrollment, competitive landscapes, and opportunities to affiliate with new athletic conferences. The outcome of this proposal could have significant implications for the athletic programs and rivalries of the schools involved.