Wakefield Schools Moves Forward On Warrior Replacement Process

WAKEFIELD, MA — A new Wakefield Public Schools logo and mascot would have to steer clear of derogatory and offensive names and images, and potential Warrior replacements would be reviewed by a committee that would include several school community members.

The School Committee's Policy and Communications Subcommittee is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon and review a draft of the district's logo/mascot policy, which was shared with Patch Monday.

The draft makes it clear the district is ready to move on from the Native American imagery associated with its longtime Warriors athletics program.

"The Wakefield School Committee recognizes the influence that a school mascot, logo, team name and/or nickname may have on building school spirit and believes that sports teams and other school-based activities play an important role in projecting a positive image of the Wakefield Public Schools and the community," the rough draft reads.

The policy would require a committee to be formed to review any proposed mascot, logo, team name or nickname and finalize a list of three to be considered by the superintendent, who would then make a recommendation to the School Committee.

The committee would be made up of the principal (or a designee;) two or three staff members; five students, including four from the high school and one from the middle school, with one representing Student Council and one representing the Youth Council; two parents; and two community members, with at least one representing the athletic boosters.

That final community member slot is the only one dedicated to anything related to the athletics program.

The committee's review could include student and community forums, surveys and questionnaires, meetings with local organizations that may be impacted and other avenues of feedback.

The School Committee voted to drop the Warrior logo in a 5-2 vote in March, a month before the community voted in support of the logo in a nonbinding referendum. The controversial issue revealed deep divisions in Wakefield.

The issue of Native American mascots has been hotly contested in dozens of Massachusetts school districts and communities. Many districts have opted to move away from the logos, nicknames and imagery, which is considered by some to be offensive.

While some proponents defend the mascots as honoring legacy, opponents point to the countless atrocities Native Americans suffered over centuries in the formation of the United States.

A bill on Beacon Hill would ban Native American mascots for public schools.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Wakefield Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.