Thursday’s deadline for schools expressing interest in the Upstate Eight Conference passed with minimal fanfare, but the next few weeks should be revealing.

The UEC is conducting a fast-paced search to find a replacement for Lake Park, which is departing after this school year for the DuPage Valley Conference.

Batavia principal Lisa Hichens was hesitant to reveal details about the search, only disclosing in an email that UEC athletic directors met Thursday about the vacancy to “discuss the letters of interest that we have received.” She indicated that meetings will continue next week “as we look at all of the potential scenarios.”