Wantagh Wants To Save 'Warrior' Name, Despite Plan Denied By State

WANTAGH, NY — The Wantagh Board of Education has submitted a proposal to address the state ban on Native American mascots in schools.

The Wantagh Union Free School District said it would like to maintain the Warrior name "and rebrand it, New York State Education Department has stated that the district is not permitted to do so."

The district sent a seven-page document to the New York State Education Department outlining how to best streamline the process. However, the proposal was denied by the NYSED assistant commissioner.

Using input from the community and students, a survey will examine rebranding concepts. A committee will be formed, largely from students, to develop a new logo, the district wrote.

Ideas for the logo will be shared with the Board of Education, who will ultimately decide on the concept. The district will consult with professional graphic artists to create the new imagery.

The district estimates the cost of overhauling the logo through the school is more than $650,000.