PRELIMINARY SOLUTIONS
Requests Received:
Assumption - Conference leaving: Marawood; Conference entering: Central Wisconsin - Small - Effective Fall 2023
Berlin - Conference leaving: East Central; Conference entering: South Central - Effective Fall 2023
Delavan-Darian - Conference leaving: Southern Lakes; Conference entering: Rock Valley - Effective Fall 2023
Kingdom Prep Lutheran - Conference leaving: Independents; Conference entering: Midwest Classic - Effective Fall 2023
Monroe - Conference leaving: Badger; Conference entering: Rock Valley - Effective Fall 2023
Ripon - Conference leaving: East Central; Conference entering: South Central - Effective Fall 2023
Saint Mary Catholic - Conference leaving: Girls Soccer Only-Big East; Conference entering: Wisconsin Flyway - Effective Fall 2023
Saint Mary Catholic - Conference leaving: All sports except Girls Soccer-Big East; Conference entering: Central Wisconsin Large - Effective Fall 2023
Watertown Luther Prep - Conference leaving: Capitol - North; Conference entering: Midwest Classic - Effective Fall 2023
Results of the December WIAA Realignment Task Force meeting:
MINUTES – December 7, 2021
15 members present - 2 members absent
The conference realignment task force advanced plans to January meeting incorporating and modifying proposals from Monroe and Delavan-Darien impacting schools from the existing Badger, Big 8, Southern Lakes, and Rock Valley conferences. Virtual feedback at the January 5th meeting is available to all schools in these affected conferences prior to action at the January 13th meeting. Motion to advance modified plan: 15-0.
This plan moves:
McFarland moves to Badger conference from Rock Valley conference
Monroe moves to Rock Valley conference from Badger conference
Beloit Memorial moves to Southern Lakes conference from Big 8 conference
Delavan- Darien moves to Rock Valley conference from Southern Lakes conference
The conference realignment task force advanced plans to January meeting combining and modifying proposals from Kingdom Prep Lutheran and Watertown Luther Prep impacting schools from the existing Midwest Classic and Capitol conferences. Virtual feedback at the January 5th meeting is available to all schools in these affected conferences prior to action at the January 13th meeting. Motion to advance modified plan: 12-3.
This plan moves:
Kingdom Prep Lutheran to Midwest Classic conference
Watertown Luther Prep to Midwest Classic conference from Capitol conference
The conference realignment task Force did not advance plans from Ripon, Berlin, Assumption, and Saint Mary Catholic. Those schools may appeal to the Task Force at the regular meeting on Thursday, January 13th.
Ripon and Berlin plans moving from East Central Conference to South Central Conference. Motion to advance: 1-14.
Rationale provided
- Large group of impacted schools feedback was not included, additional feedback from conferences and schools would be welcome
Assumption plan moving from Marawood Conference to Central Wisconsin Conference. Motion to advance: 0-15.
Rationale provided
- Lack of support from either conference and all schools currently have a conference
St Mary Catholic non-football plan moving from Big East Conference to Central Wisconsin Conference-Large. Motion to advance: 0-15.
Rationale provided
- Lack of support from either conference and all schools currently have a conference
St Mary Catholic girls soccer-only plan moving from Big East Conference to Wisconsin Flyaway Conference. Motion to advance: 0-15.
Rationale provided
- Indicated they did not want to pursue if all sport non-football plan did not advance
All schools affected by a realignment solution that the Conference Realignment Task Force modified, may provide written feedback or appear virtually before the committee beginning at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2022. This additional information and request to appear must be emailed to shauser@wiaawi.org by Monday, January 3, 2022, 12:00 p.m. Each school appearing virtually will be provided a maximum of three minutes to present new information to the Task Force. Schools in the same conference are asked to designate one spokesperson who will represent all schools. The time afforded to this spokesperson will be expanded to five minutes.
The Realignment Task Force will reconvene in person at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Member schools who had their realignment application not advanced may elect to appeal this decision no later than Monday, January 10, 2022, 12:00 p.m. Submit your request in writing to shauser@wiaawi.org. A school may appeal by having a representative appear at the WIAA office or appear virtually. Each school will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present new information to the Task Force.
Any schools affected by a proposed realignment solution may provide written feedback or appear in person or virtually on Thursday, January 13, 2022. This additional information and request to appear must be emailed to shauser@wiaawi.org by Monday, January 10, 2022, 12:00 p.m. Each school appearing virtually will be provided a maximum of three minutes to present new information to the Task Force. Schools in the same conference are asked to designate one spokesperson who will represent all schools. The time afforded to this spokesperson will be expanded to five minutes.
The Task Force will finalize and submit proposals for the March 8, 2022 Board of Control Meeting following the January 13, 2022 Conference Realignment Task Force Meeting.
Modified plans created during the Task Force consideration are found on WIAA Conference Realignment webpage. Original submitted proposals are available on the WIAA Conference Realignment webpage under “Requests and Proposals.” The full Conference Realignment Process & Timeline can be found on the WIAA webpage under SCHOOLS => CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT.
TASK FORCE APPEAL HEARINGS
Berlin - To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 8, 2022. Yes 2 No 14
Ripon - To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 8, 2022. Yes 2 No 14
Rationale provided:
- Did not have additional information related to the original proposal.
- Provided feedback and new information related to a new proposal with significant feedback and support, but not inclusive of all impacted conferences and dissolving of an existing conference. This proposal was not initiated originally. Therefore, intentional and comprehensive feedback earlier in the process did not occur. The new proposal was not able to be acted on by the Task Force or supported, due to its significant ripple effects later in the process.
- A portion of the new proposal could include a smaller solution involving a 5 or 6 team conference. If all schools involved support this proposal, it would be able to be addressed through a fast track process.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOARD OF CONTROL
- McFarland moves to Badger conference from Rock Valley conference
- Monroe moves to Rock Valley conference from Badger conference
- Beloit Memorial moves to Southern Lakes conference from Big 8 conference
- Delavan- Darien moves to Rock Valley conference from Southern Lakes conference
- Kingdom Prep Lutheran to Midwest Classic conference
- Watertown Luther Prep to Midwest Classic conference from Capitol conference
- Combining the East Central Conference and the South Central Conference to form a 13-team conference
APPROVED PLANS
St. Francis (Football) - Conference leaving: Metro Classic; Conference entering: Midwest Classic, Fall 2022. (Fast Track)
McFarland moves to Badger conference from Rock Valley conference
Monroe moves to Rock Valley conference from Badger conference
Beloit Memorial moves to Southern Lakes conference from Big 8 conference
Delavan- Darien moves to Rock Valley conference from Southern Lakes conference
Kingdom Prep Lutheran to Midwest Classic conference
Watertown Luther Prep to Midwest Classic conference from Capitol conference
PRELIMINARY SOLUTIONS
Requests Received:
Ashland - Conference leaving: Great Northern; Conference entering: Heart O' North - Effective Fall 2022
De Soto - Conference leaving: Ridge & Valley; Conference entering: 8-Player South - Effective Fall 2022
Goodman/Pembine - Conference leaving: Northwoods (11-player); Conference entering: MONLP West (8-player) - Effective Fall 2022
Hayward - Conference leaving: Great Northern; Conference entering: Heart O' North - Effective Fall 2022
Horicon/Hustisford - Conference leaving: Capitol; Conference entering: Eastern Suburban - Effective Fall 2022
Lake Holcombe - Conference leaving: Lakeland (11-player); Conference entering: Central Wisconsin - West (8-player) - Effective Fall 2022
Marinette - Conference leaving: North Eastern; Conference entering: Bay - Effective Fall 2022
Niagara - Conference leaving: Northwoods (11-player); Conference entering: MONLP West (8-player) - Effective Fall 2022
Oshkosh North - Conference leaving: Fox Valley Association; Conference entering: Fox River Classic - Effective Fall 2022
Oshkosh West - Conference leaving: Fox Valley Association; Conference entering: Fox River Classic - Effective Fall 2022
Pardeeville - Conference leaving: Eastern Suburban; Conference entering: Trailways - Effective Fall 2022
River Falls - Conference leaving: Mississippi Valley; Conference entering: Big Rivers - Effective Fall 2022
Sun Prairie East - Conference leaving: Big Eight; Conference entering: Badger Large - Effective Fall 2022
Sun Prairie West - Conference leaving: None (New School); Conference entering: Badger Large - Effective Fall 2022
West Allis Central - Conference leaving: Greater Metro; Conference entering: Parkland - Effective Fall 2022
West Allis Hale - Conference leaving: Greater Metro; Conference entering: Parkland - Effective Fall 2022
West Salem - Conference leaving: Mississippi Valley; Conference entering: Coulee - Effective Fall 2022
Results of the December WIAA Realignment Task Force meeting:
Football-Only
The Conference Realignment Task Force applied the following rationale to submitted plans and in developing modifications to submitted plans:
1. Provide a conference for all member schools
a. Group by enrollment
b. Group by geography
2. Work to maintain paired 7-team conferences and 8-team conferences where reasonably able within
geography and enrollment
a. 6 team double crossover also works
3. Competition within football groupings as rationale was not compelling at this time
4. Participation numbers and levels offered
5. Potential flexibility within forecasted regional shifts of co-ops and 8-player allow for future considerations
The Task Force has denied, pending possible appeals heard at the January 6, 2021 Task Force Meeting, the following requests:
Ashland
Decision: To advance a solution to the January 6, 2021 Conference Realignment Task Force Committee Meeting. Yes 0 No 17
Hayward
Decision: To advance a solution to the January 6, 2021 Conference Realignment Task Force Committee Meeting. Yes 0 No 17
Marinette
Decision: To advance a solution to the January 6, 2021 Conference Realignment Task Force Committee Meeting. Yes 0 No 17
Oshkosh North/Oshkosh West
Decision: To advance a solution to the January 6, 2021 Conference Realignment Task Force Committee Meeting. Yes 0 No 17
West Allis Hale/West Allis Central
Decision: To advance a solution to the January 6, 2021 Conference Realignment Task Force Committee Meeting. Yes 2 No 15
11-Player Rationale and Votes (click to view) 8-Player Rationale and Votes (click to view)
Modified Solutions (click to view):
Horicon/Hustisford and Pardeeville Plan Modifications
Sun Prairie Plan Modifications
West Salem and River Falls Plan Modifications
The WIAA Realignment Task Force has advanced these modified solutions for further review at the January 6, 2021 Task Force Meeting.
8-player/Modified Solutions from 8-player
11-player Impacted Conferences of De Soto Plan/Modified Solutions from 8-player Movement
TASK FORCE APPEAL HEARINGS
January 6, 2021
Ashland
To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 5, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 0 No - 17
Hayward
To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 5, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 0 No - 17
Oshkosh North/Oshkosh West
To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 5, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 0 No - 17
West Allis Hale/West Allis Central
To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 5, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 0 No - 17
Marinette
To approve the appeal and advance the proposal to the WIAA Board of Control, March 5, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 0 No - 17
Modified Proposal Motion: To support the modified proposal presented by Marinette for consideration by the WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force Committee, February 11, 2021.
Vote: Yes - 17 No - 0
February 11, 2021
Marinette
To support a modified solution impacting the overall proposed 11-Player Football Only Conference Realignment Plan.
Vote: Yes - 15 No - 0
RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOARD OF CONTROL
- Lac Courte Oreilles (Non-Football) - Conference leaving: Independents; Conference entering: Indianhead, Fall 2021
APPROVED PLANS
Non-Football
- Altoona (Non-Football) - Conference leaving: Cloverbelt-West; Conference entering: Middle Border, Effective Fall 2021
- Altoona (Girls Soccer-only) - Conference leaving: Mid-Western Soccer; Conference entering: Middle Border, Effective Fall 2021
- Bloomer (Non-Football) - Conference leaving: Heart O' North; Conference entering: Cloverbelt-West, Fall 2021
- Dodgeland/Hustisford (Boys' Soccer only) - Conference leaving: Capitol; Conference entering: Flyway, Fall 2021
- Lac Courte Oreilles (Non-Football) - Conference leaving: Independents; Conference entering: Indianhead, Fall 2021
- New Richmond - Non-Football (Fast Track) - Conference leaving: Middle Border; Conference entering: Big Rivers - Effective Fall 2021
- Sun Prairie West (Non-Football) - Conference leaving: None (new member school); Conference entering: Big 8, Fall 2022
- White Lake - Non-Football (Fast Track) - Conference leaving: Northern Lakes; Conference entering: Central Wisconsin - North - Effective Fall 2021
11-Player Football Only - Effective Fall 2022
8-Player Football Only - Effective Fall 2022
PRELIMINARY SOLUTIONS
The WIAA Realignment Task Force has proposed the following preliminary solutions:
- Currently, there are no preliminary solutions.
The WIAA Realignment Task Force has denied, pending possible appeals heard at the January 8 Task Force meeting, the following requests:
Ashland
Decision: Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.
Vote: No - 15 Yes - 0 Proposal will not move forward as submitted.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- Request is incomplete.
- Need official proof of conversation/action with Heart O’ North Conference.
- Documentation from 6 affected schools that did not provide position statement.
Campbellsport
Decision: Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.
Vote: No - 15 Yes - 0 Proposal will not move forward as submitted.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- Viable realignment options need to be created for the committee to evaluate.
- There is no solution provided for the East Central Conference to change from an eight to seven school conference.
- Need formal vote or documentation from East Central Conference.
- Need updated/current documentation from Wisconsin Flyway Conference.
Delavan-Darien
Decision: Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.
Vote: No - 15 Yes - 0 Proposal will not move forward as submitted.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- Provide any impact of demographics on participation rates, have the demographics had any significant change in the past five years and do you suspect any further changes?
- Provide more information, provide a conference statement/discussion points or shared information, would like input on stances of principal and superintendent positions.
- Need notification of other schools affected by the solution, need to contact them and talk prior to submitting the application.
- Need position statements from all affected schools.
Westfield
Decision: Initial recommendation to not move forward due to an incomplete application.
Vote: No - 14 Yes - 0 Abstention 1 Proposal will not move forward as submitted.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- Need position statements from all affected schools.
- Need position statements from South Central Conference or the other conferences and stance on conferences that are gaining teams from the proposal (Flyway Conference, Coulee Conference, Central Wisconsin).
- Need to provide a proposal for the entire South Central Conference.
West De Pere
Decision: Initial recommendation is to not move forward due to an incomplete application.
Vote: No - 15 Yes - 0 Proposal will not move forward as submitted.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- North Eastern Conference schools must be involved in discussions and decision making and documentation provided.
- Provide considerations that have been made regarding scheduling for the proposed 11 team Fox River Classic Conference.
- Need position statements from the Bay Conference and North Eastern Conference with possible alternatives for impacted conferences.
- Need position statements from all affected schools.
The Realignment Task Force will convene to hear appeals on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Member schools affected can also schedule the opportunity to be heard. The Task Force will finalize and submit proposals to the Board of Control following this meeting.
TASK FORCE APPEAL HEARINGS
January 8, 2020
Ashland
Conference Realignment Proposal: Recommendation to assign Ashland to the Heart O' North Conference.
Vote: Yes - 16 No - 0 to approve appeal and advance the plan for further consideration.
Campbellsport
Conference Realignment Proposal: Recommendation to assign Campbellsport to the Wisconsin Flyway Conference. Vote: Yes - 16 No - 0 to approve appeal and advance the plan for further consideration.
Delavan-Darien
Vote: No - 16 Yes - 0 Appeal denied.
Westfield
Vote: No - 16 Yes - 0 Appeal denied.
February 12, 2020
Ashland
Vote: Yes - 8 No - 3 Advanced to Board of Control
Rationale for advancing:
- If reasonable, all schools would be placed in a conference.
- Scheduling solutions can mitigate travel and lost instructional time concerns.
- 21-22 implementation provides a year to plan.
- History of request and interest in joining Heart O’ North Conference.
- Competitive history shows no dominance.
- Consistent with current levels of participation needed for levels of sports offerings.
- Fast Track could allow modification of Heart O’ North Conference in the future.
- Transportation is greater for Ashland if they are in the Great Northern Conference.
Rationale for not moving forward:
- Great Northern Conference may be a better fit based on program offerings and enrollment, but the Task Force did not have the option to make such a major modification at this point in the process.
- Some current Ashland sports will remain independent or will have to join a different conference because multiple levels of sport teams are not offered in Heart O’ North Conference.
Campbellsport
Vote: Yes - 11 No - 0 Advanced to Board of Control
Rationale for advancing:
- Provides relief for a member school without major disruption and will allow fluidity for additional realignment or grouping on a long-term basis if warranted and or/desired.
- Matches similar enrollment and participation data.
- Unanimously accepted by Flyway Conference.
- 7 team conferences are less of an issue, due to football only realignment starting 2020-21.
- One member of Flyway Conference has limited sport offerings.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOARD OF CONTROL
The WIAA Realignment Task Force has forwarded the following proposals to the Board of Control March 6, 2020 meeting:
- Ashland - Conference leaving: None; Conference entering: Heart O' North Conference
- Campbellsport - Conference leaving: East Central; Conference entering: Wisconsin Flyway Conference
- Cristo Rey Jesuit - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- Eastbrook Academy - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- Faith Christian (Williams Bay) - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- St. Anthony - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- St. Croix Falls - Conference leaving: Lakeland; Conference entering: Heart O' North
- Salam - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- Tenor - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- University Lake School - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
- Veritas - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
APPROVED PLANS
Non-Football - At the March 6, 2020 meeting, the WIAA Board of Control approved the following plans:
- Ashland - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Heart O' North Conference - Effective Fall 2021
- Campbellsport - Conference leaving: East Central; Conference entering: Wisconsin Flyway Conference - Effective Fall 2021
- Cristo Rey Jesuit - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- Eastbrook Academy - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- Faith Christian (Williams Bay) - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- St. Anthony - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- St. Croix Falls - Conference leaving: Lakeland; Conference entering: Heart O' North - Effective Fall 2020
- Salam - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- Tenor - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- University Lake School - Conference leaving: Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
- Veritas - Conference leaving: None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed) - Effective Fall 2020
Football Only - Effective Fall 2020
8-Player Football - Effective Fall 2020