Massapequa Board Of Ed 'Kept Promise' Suing State To Maintain 'Chiefs'

MASSAPEQUA, NY — The Massapequa School District is suing the state to keep its "Chiefs" name and mascot imagery. As we reported last week, the district is filing the suit to fight an "unconstitutional" ban on its "Chiefs."

In a statement on its website, the Massapequa Board of Education said by filing the lawsuit, "It was our intention to retain the right to challenge the decision through litigation. We have kept that promise."

In June, the district agreed to comply with the Indigenous peoples' ban, while working on a legal challenge.

The district, in announcing the lawsuit to the April mascot ban, referred to the longtime slogan: "As we say in Massapequa, 'Once a Chief, Always a Chief.'"

Massapequa school officials remain steadfast in their resolve to keep the "Chief."

"It is our history and our heritage," the Board of Education wrote. "When we speak of the Massapequa 'Chief,' we do so with pride and respect."

Patch attempted to reach the school district for comment.

Superintendent Dr. William Brennan said in an April letter: "From our very name of Massapequa to the many historical plaques located throughout town, we pay our respects to 365 years of history."