State Board To Vote On Neshaminy High Mascot Next Month (ICYMI)

LANGHORNE, PA — A vote by a state commission on Neshaminy High School's racially charged mascot has been scheduled for next month, after initially being planned this week.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is scheduled to vote on Neshaminy's use of the "Redskins" nickname and imagery at its meeting on Nov. 25, according to commission spokeswoman Renee Martin.

The commission, which enforces Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination laws, had been set to vote on the issue on Monday, but members decided to postpone the vote.

On Tuesday, Martin said that the exact language commission members will consider is not yet available.

The commission filed suit against the Neshaminy School District on the grounds that the nickname has origins as a racial slur against Native Americans and its use, along with Native imagery, discriminates against students with Native American heritage.

In January, the commission hosted a week-long public hearing to receive public input on the nickname at Bucks County Community College.

For years, critics have decried the nickname, calling on the school board to change it.

The suit from the state commission came after a 2013 lawsuit filed by the mother of a Neshaminy student. The suit said her child was Native American and suffered educational and other harm due to the mascot's use.

The claim was voluntarily dismissed in 2015 and, shortly thereafter, the PHRC initiated the current lawsuit. Under Pennsylvania law, the PHRC may act as both the plaintiff and the hearing officer in such cases.

Throughout, the Neshaminy School District has denied the allegations in the lawsuits, contending that they are unfounded.

The human relations commission's Nov. 25 meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. in Harrisburg.