Marshall to Officially Join Midland Empire Conference for 2028-2029 School Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 4/9/2026
Contact: Caleb Petet, Superintendent, cpetet@marshallowls.com, 660-886-7414
Midland Empire Conference Announces Expansion and Two-Division Alignment Beginning 2028–2029
The Midland Empire Conference (MEC) is pleased to announce that Marshall Public Schools, Moberly School District, Mexico Public Schools, and Kirksville R-III School District will join the conference beginning with the 2028–2029 school year.
This 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.
Conference Divisions (Effective 2028–2029)
East Division
● Chillicothe
● Kirksville
● Marshall
● Mexico
● Moberly
West Division
● Benton
● Bishop LeBlond
● Cameron
● Excelsior Springs
● Maryville
● Savannah
The decision to expand follows discussion and support from member schools during the MEC Board of Controls process. At the Board of Controls meeting on Thursday, April 9, 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.
The MEC’s two-division alignment is intended to prioritize divisional scheduling, reduce midweek travel demands, and maintain a strong conference identity through selected cross-division contests and potential championship-style formats. This approach mirrors the goals outlined by the four incoming districts in their membership proposal, emphasizing travel efficiency, community engagement, and sustainable conference growth.
Additional implementation details—including 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.
About the Midland Empire Conference
The Midland Empire Conference is a high school activities conference dedicated to supporting competitive opportunities and positive student experiences through interscholastic athletics and activities. ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 4/9/2026
Contact: Caleb Petet, Superintendent, cpetet@marshallowls.com, 660-886-7414
Midland Empire Conference Announces Expansion and Two-Division Alignment Beginning 2028–2029
The Midland Empire Conference (MEC) is pleased to announce that Marshall Public Schools, Moberly School District, Mexico Public Schools, and Kirksville R-III School District will join the conference beginning with the 2028–2029 school year.
This 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.
Conference Divisions (Effective 2028–2029)
East Division
● Chillicothe
● Kirksville
● Marshall
● Mexico
● Moberly
West Division
● Benton
● Bishop LeBlond
● Cameron
● Excelsior Springs
● Maryville
● Savannah
The decision to expand follows discussion and support from member schools during the MEC Board of Controls process. At the Board of Controls meeting on Thursday, April 9, 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.
The MEC’s two-division alignment is intended to prioritize divisional scheduling, reduce midweek travel demands, and maintain a strong conference identity through selected cross-division contests and potential championship-style formats. This approach mirrors the goals outlined by the four incoming districts in their membership proposal, emphasizing travel efficiency, community engagement, and sustainable conference growth.
Additional implementation details—including 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.
About the Midland Empire Conference
The Midland Empire Conference is a high school activities conference dedicated to supporting competitive opportunities and positive student experiences through interscholastic athletics and activities. ###
To celebrate March and reading, 3rd and 4th grade classrooms at MIS had some "Reading Buddy" days! It was a great way to collaborate with our fellow grade levels and share our love for reading.
5th grade recognized their math team members. Students also received awards for their top 10 placements at the Knob Noster math competition. Congratulations 5th Grade Math Team!
A second Town Hall meeting is being held at Santa Fe High School in Alma this week to discuss topics related to rural education. This week's event is being held on Wednesday, April 1st, from 5:30-7:00 PM. Please see the attached flyer for more information!
Santa Fe High School in Alma is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, March 24th from 5:30-7:30 PM. This event will feature many current topics relative to public education, and more specifically, rural education. A number of area school officials, public officials, and others will be in attendance. Please make plans to attend if you are interested in learning more about the issues currently happening in public education!
Marshall Public Schools will not have in-person classes tomorrow (Monday, March 16th) due to inclement weather. This will be AMI Day #4---students & parents can check Class Dojo, Google Classroom or student email accounts for instructions/questions on AMI work.
Stay safe and stay warm!
Stay safe and stay warm!
Want a sneak peak of the cover for the Elementary Yearbook for 2025-2026?
They have turned out OWLS-standing!
It is not too late to order! Visit the website: www.inter-state.com/order.
They have turned out OWLS-standing!
It is not too late to order! Visit the website: www.inter-state.com/order.
Please join us at the Spring Federal Programs Advisory Meeting on March 9th at 3:30 in the Marshall Intermediate School cafeteria!
Three cheers for Mrs. O'Bryan's classroom! They were the winners of our ReadBowl Competition! As a class, they read 13,336 minutes during the four week race! That is outstanding!
Congrats to these amazing 3rd graders! They were our Top 10 readers for our ReadBowl competition. Great job! We are so proud of you!
Attention Parents of 2026–2027 Kindergarten Students,
Kindergarten Round Up is currently open for the 2026–2027 school year for Marshall Public Schools. If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2026, we want to hear from you!
Please call Spainhower Primary School at (660) 886-9066 to schedule a kindergarten screening appointment.
The following documents will be required at the screening:
Proof of residency (property tax statement, utility bill/agreement, rental agreement, or real estate contract)
Proof of legal name/age (birth certificate, passport, or legal document)
Current immunization records
Proof of guardianship court documents (if applicable)
If you have any questions, please call (660) 886-9066.
Kindergarten Round Up is currently open for the 2026–2027 school year for Marshall Public Schools. If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2026, we want to hear from you!
Please call Spainhower Primary School at (660) 886-9066 to schedule a kindergarten screening appointment.
The following documents will be required at the screening:
Proof of residency (property tax statement, utility bill/agreement, rental agreement, or real estate contract)
Proof of legal name/age (birth certificate, passport, or legal document)
Current immunization records
Proof of guardianship court documents (if applicable)
If you have any questions, please call (660) 886-9066.
Four amazing teachers from MIS attended Get Your Teach On Conference in Nashville! What an extraordinary experience for them!
Mrs. Sappington's third grade students recently visited Legendary Nursing Home in Marshall. As a part of their learning in the Maker Lab with Mrs. Peel, students have been exploring 3D printing and designing ornaments to share with others. During the visit, the students performed a song and presented the residents with ornaments. Way to go 3rd graders!
Weekly Leaders for the month of January. These students are being great examples for their classmates! Great job 3rd Grade!
Check out these amazing mathematicians! Each one has passed a level in math fact fluency! We are so proud of all their hard work! Way to go 3rd graders!
WISE Award winners from Third Grade Assembly... and congrats to Ms. Bethel for winning the drawing for some yummy treats! We are so proud of all of you!
Marshall Public Schools will not have in-person classes Tuesday, January 27th, due to inclement weather and road conditions. This is Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Day #3. Practices/Games for Tuesday afternoon are To Be Determined.
Parents/Students can check their Dojo, Google Classroom or student email if they have questions about AMI paper packets or other classwork to be done for AMI Day #3. Please stay safe and warm at home!
Parents/Students can check their Dojo, Google Classroom or student email if they have questions about AMI paper packets or other classwork to be done for AMI Day #3. Please stay safe and warm at home!
Marshall Public Schools will not have in-person classes Monday, January 26th, due to inclement weather and road conditions. This is Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Day #2. Monday afternoon practices/games are To Be Determined.
Parents/Students can check their Dojo, Google Classroom or student email if they have questions about AMI paper packets or other classwork to be done for AMI Day #2. Please stay safe and warm at home!
Parents/Students can check their Dojo, Google Classroom or student email if they have questions about AMI paper packets or other classwork to be done for AMI Day #2. Please stay safe and warm at home!
Last week MIS 3rd graders had their Winter Music Program. Thanks to everyone that joined that night. Great job 3rd grade!
Marshall Public Schools is a part of a group of local organizations working with the Saline County Emergency Management Agency & Saline County Commission to collect community input for the Saline County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will support all residents of our county.
This plan is being developed to help be best prepared for, and respond to, natural hazards such as tornadoes, floods, drought, and wildfires.
We are encouraging any citizens of Saline County to fill out their survey, which is located at this site.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SalineCountyHMP2026
You can learn more about this process on their website, which can be found here: https://www.trailsrpc.org/.../saline-county-2027-hmp-update/
This plan is being developed to help be best prepared for, and respond to, natural hazards such as tornadoes, floods, drought, and wildfires.
We are encouraging any citizens of Saline County to fill out their survey, which is located at this site.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SalineCountyHMP2026
You can learn more about this process on their website, which can be found here: https://www.trailsrpc.org/.../saline-county-2027-hmp-update/
