2 Nassau School Districts Wait For More Info On Mascot Rule: Officials

NASSAU COUNTY, NY— Two Nassau County school districts made statements this month indicating that they will wait for further guidance before deciding whether to change Native American mascot names.

The discussions came after the New York State Department of Education ruled in November that Native American mascot names and imagery will not be permitted after the end of the school year. Schools that violate the ruling could lose state funding.

The superintendents of Manhasset and Sewanhaka Central school districts both stated publicly they would not make any moves to begin the process of changing the district's mascot name. Sewanhaka High School and Manhasset share the mascot name the Indians.

Sewanhaka's Superintendent James Grossane spoke at a Dec. 1 board meeting.

“This was a topic of great discussion at the county’s superintendent meeting last week and the advice we received and are following is we are waiting for the regulations,” the Great Neck News reported him as saying.

In a statement shared with Patch, Manhasset Superintendent Gaurav Passi echoed Grossane:

"We thank all Manhasset residents who took the time to vote on this proposition, as well as the community volunteers who served on the District’s Long-Term Facilities Planning Committee. We are awaiting regulations that the State Education Department indicated they would be putting forth in the coming month clarifying the District's obligations."

Grossane also alluded to online petitions in both the Manhasset and Sewanhaka communities expressing support for the name changes.