Schools Must Stop Using Native American Mascots: NY Education Dept.

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York State Education Department ordered school districts to drop Native American symbols or depictions from their mascots, team names and logos by the end of the school year or forgo financial aid.

Senior Deputy Commissioner James Baldwin told the districts in a letter Thursday that the guidance evolved from an upstate school district — Cambridge Central School District in Washington County — that recently lost a legal battle to keep “Indians” as its team name, logo and mascot.

The court's decision "establishes that public school districts are prohibited from utilizing Native American mascots," Baldwin wrote, adding that it was no longer tenable to use arguments that community members support the use of the imagery or that it is respectful to Native Americans.

"Those school districts that continue to utilize Native American team names, logos and/or imagery without current approval from a recognized tribe must immediately come into compliance," he said.

If a district doesn’t commit to replacing its team name, logo and/or imagery by the end of the 2022-23 school year, it may be considered a willful violation of the Dignity Act. The penalties for such a violation include the removal of school officers and the withholding of state aid, Baldwin said.

"Schools are learning environments; students learn as much through observation of their surroundings as they do from direct instruction," he explained. "In addition to their legal obligations, boards of education that continue to utilize Native American mascots must reflect upon the message their choices convey to students, parents and their communities."

The guidance could affect school districts in the Hudson Valley, including Roy C. Ketcham Senior High School in Wappingers Falls and Mahopac High School in Putnam County.

Mahopac Superintendent Christine Tona said she is reviewing the memo from the state with counsel, and she will be taking time to discuss it with her Board of Education.

Wappingers Superintendent Dwight Bonk said the district is in receipt of the memo from the state and is consulting its attorneys.

A spokesperson for the Minisink Valley Central High School in Orange County said the district supports the state’s memo and sent Patch a statement.

“A little over four years ago, as part of our ongoing commitment to address cultural appropriation, the district introduced a new and distinct ‘MV’ logo which incorporates the green and white school colors,” the statement said. “The new MV logo has appeared on our website and on all official district documents/materials since that time.”

Minisink intends to finalize the use of the logo district wide as quickly as is practical and by the end of the 2022-23 school year, according to the spokesperson.

Additional reporting by Peggy Spellman Hoey, Patch Staff