Official Press Release Concerning the Future of the NBC

Alliance, OH – (February 4, 2016) – Marlington, along with seven other districts including Alliance,
Canton South, Carrollton, Louisville, Minerva, Salem and West Branch, is part of the Northeastern Buckeye Conference (NBC). This allows the districts to compete against each other and work together to develop their students’ athletic skills. This year, Marlington is serving as the league president.

Currently, the NBC is discussing amongst its members what its future will look like. These discussions have taken place for the last several months. The district superintendents, principals, and athletic directors have met to discuss dissolving the NBC and forming a new league, in order to respond to a disproportionate growth rate and competitive equity concern among all NBC schools.

In the coming months, each district will present a resolution for approval to their local boards of education to withdraw from the NBC and create a new league. Upon passage of the resolution, each district will submit a letter of withdraw to Marlington as acting president of the league. Then, a new league would be created with seven of the eight current members, not to include Louisville.

The constitution of the league states that it is to remain intact for two years, meaning the NBC would not be dissolved nor the new league fully implemented until the 2018-19 school year. “Our plan is to keep the integrity of the NBC constitution and bylaws while meeting the needs of our individual league members,” said Joe Knoll, superintendent of Marlington Local Schools and NBC spokesperson. “It is an issue over consideration of competitive balance and competitive equity at all levels in grades seven through 12. Moving forward, we will develop a new constitution and bylaws, select a new name/logo for the league, and begin the process to attract additional members.”

NBC League Release 2-4-2016