By MATT PIKE
Starting in the 2028-29 school year, the Midland Empire Conference will expand, adding four new schools for the athletics season, and will also move to a two division format.
The MEC announced that Marshall Public Schools, Moberly School District, Mexico Public Schools, and Kirksville R-III School District will join the conference. The expansion will establish a new two-division structure designed to enhance competitive balance, strengthen regional rivalries, and improve travel efficiency for student-athletes and activity participants. The two-division model reflects the conference’s long-term commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for students while supporting the logistical realities schools face in scheduling and transportation.
The conference will include both an eastern and western division, with Marshall, Chillicothe, Kirksville, Mexico, and Moberly making up the East Division, and Benton, Bishop LeBlond, Cameron, Excelsior Springs, Maryville, and Savannah making up the West Division.
The decision to expand followed discussion and support from member schools during the MEC Board of Controls process. At the Board of Controls meeting on Thursday, April 9th, conference members expressed strong support for adding Marshall, Moberly, Mexico, and Kirksville, noting that their inclusion would strengthen long-term conference stability and student opportunities and aligns with conference priorities such as competitive balance, geography, and travel considerations.
Activity-by-activity scheduling alignment, governance expectations, and transition planning will be coordinated collaboratively among member districts in advance of the 2028-2029 start date.
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