The Okaw Valley Conference is once again going through a change.

The conference has tentatively agreed to merge with the Corn Belt Conference. Superintendent of Monticello Schools, Dr. Vic Zimmerman says the two conferences have agreed to merge, though the deal will be finalized once all the boards of the ten schools give the approval.

The Okaw Valley has been through a lot of change in recent years and Dr. Zimmerman says they hope this is the start of some stability for Monticello schools as it relates to their conference affiliation.

When discussing a conference merger, there are more considerations than just athletics. Dr. Zimmerman explains the merger with the Corn Belt is going to offer their students extracurricular opportunities along with opportunities for their teachers.

If approved by all schools, the two conferences will merge for the 2017-18 school year. Dr. Zimmerman says a new conference name is not decided but indicates they may let the Principals of the various schools collaborate to allow students to have input on the name in some capacity.