Neshaminy Schools To Appeal State 'Redskins' Ruling

LANGHORNE, PA — The Neshaminy School District's board of directors on Monday voted to appeal a state ruling that curbs the use of images and logos related to its "Redskins" nickname.

In a unanimous vote, the board moved to appeal last week's ruling, by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

On Nov. 25, the commission ruled in a 7-1 vote that the district may continue using the nickname "Redskins," but must stop using logos and imagery that "negatively stereotype Native Americans."

In the resolution approved Monday, school board members said they have "vigorously denied the allegations that were the basis for the complaints filed in in the PHRC case."

It was unclear how much pursuing the matter in court will cost the school district.

The nickname, considered racist and demeaning toward Native Americans by many, has been an issue of contention for years in the district. In 2013, the mother of a Neshaminy High student filed a complaint with the commission, saying that her son, who is Native American, suffered educational and other harm.

That claim was voluntarily withdrawn and the commission, which enforces state laws against discrimination, filed its own complaint in 2015.

Earlier Monday, the commission's director promised to work with residents, while also warning against "racial hatred" he said has been directed at the mother who filed a complaint in the case.

He also said he felt the commission's split-decision ruling didn't go far enough.

"I feel strongly that 'Redskins' is a racially demeaning term and should not be used anywhere, let alone in a school ...," said commission Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter. "PHRC will enforce the order because it is our duty. However, I know the use of that word is as wrong and harmful as the use of the 'n-word.' "

Lassiter said the commission plans to visit Neshaminy "and work to heal the community." The commission plans a social justice lecture series, town hall meeting and "talk back" sessions in Bucks County in the coming months, he said.