As the doors closed at the Nov. 18 weekly district 204 Board of Education meeting, the six men and women representing Waubonsie, Neuqua, and Metea laid the foundations for a massive shakeup in our district’s future. The principals and athletic directors of all three high schools recommended that they accept an invitation to join the DuPage Valley Conference at beginning in the 2015-2016 season.

“While we acknowledge that the Upstate 8 conference has helped build our legacies over the last twenty years, it is time for us to move to DuPage Valley Conference,” said Neuqua Valley Principal Dr. Robert McBride.

DuPage Valley Conference gave the three schools until December of this year whether or not to accept or decline the invitation. Regardless of the outcome, the implications will affect the Indian Prairie community for years to come.

Many factors were discussed before the school representatives that came before the board to issue their recommendation. The topics included levels of competition, tradition, extracurricular activities, transportation, proximity, and fan support. With all the factors considered, the board members were able to keep the students’ best interests at the forefront of the conversation.

“Essentially, we are looking for a partnership to better our students in terms of athletics and extracurricular activities,” said Neuqua Valley athletic director Barb Barrows. “We want to open our students to stronger competition in order to improve as a program.”

The principals are looking to improve the field of competition and improve various extracurricular activities. While many advantages were discussed, many board members had concern that Metea, Waubonsie, and Neuqua would have trouble adjusting to the high level of competition. However, the principals and athletic directors agreed that they did not want to sell their coaches and students short by not giving them the opportunity to challenge their talents.

“Initially, we might struggle as a program. However, I believe that our transition to the Dupage Valley Conference will produce long-term benefits for our community and students,” said Metea Principal Jim Schmid.

All the principals believe that the move will provide encouragement for student athletics and extracurricular progress. They justify their position by reasoning that the students will not only develop into elite athletes, but exemplary students.

“We are setting these kids up for success outside of their high school doors, outside of their safe and secure classrooms,” said board member Maria Curry while addressing the principals. “The proposed move will jointly help the students and the community.”

As of this season, the DuPage Valley Conference includes Lake Park, Glenbard North, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Wheaton North, and Wheaton Warrenville South. If Metea, Waubonsie, and Neuqua were to join, the conference would have nine teams total.

Principal Schmid, Principal McBride, and Principal Stipp will make their final decision in December as members of the governing board of the Upstate 8 conference. At the meeting, many members of the board disclosed their support for the principals’ decision.

“With forty years of perspective in this district as a father and board member, this board member says it is time [for Metea, Waubonsie, and Neuqua] to join the DuPage Valley Conference,” said Justin Karubas, a district 204 board of education member.

By Nirmal Mulaikal