Amityville Schools To Host Forum On Native American Mascot

AMITYVILLE, NY — The Amityville students may no longer be "warriors."

The district announced it will host a community forum regarding its “Warrior” logo and slogan on Wednesday, June 21, at 7 p.m., at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School’s auditorium.

The forum comes after the New York State Board of Regents reportedly voted unanimously to ban schools from using Native American mascots in April.

By regulation, the district must decide and notify the New York State Education Department of the district’s intention by June 30.

"The district would like to hear from its residents from throughout the community, and alumni of the district are encouraged to join the forum as well," a release said.

Residents will be allowed three minutes each to voice their opinions and make comments. This is not a meeting of the board of education, although board members will be present.

The district will listen to all comments and responses, but a decision will not be made during the forum, a release said.

Schools that fail to comply with the rule could lose state funding, and officials could lose their jobs, according to the report.

In November, The Associated Press reported that state education officials believed there were about 50 to 60 school districts in New York still using these kinds of mascots.