Fort Dodge School Board Set To Meet On Possibly Leaving The CIML

The Fort Dodge School Board is set to meet Monday night and one of the priorities on the agenda is the possible defection from the CIML. The Dodgers have been a member of the Central Iowa Metro League since the 1990’s. Fort Dodge is one of ten schools that has indicated possible interest in breaking away from the CIMl and forming a new conference.

Mason City and Marshalltown have already voted to leave the CIML. Tuumwa, Ames and the Des Moines Public Schools ( East, North, Hoover, Lincoln and Roosevelt) have not yet voted. All of the schools involved would have to vote on the matter by the end of this month. They then would have to notify the CIML of their desire to defect.

The Des Moines Schools are a “package deal”, meaning all five would either defect together or stay together in the CIML. A newly formed conference could begin competing as early as the 2022-2023 academic year.

The defection from the CIML wouldn’t affect Fort Dodge Football, as the Dodgers are staying in 4A  this fall. Football classes & districts are set by the state, many of the suburban schools near Des Moines that are CIML members are moving to 5A for football beginning this fall.