New York’s public schools that use Native American names and imagery may be affected by a proposal to ban such mascots and logos. The Board of Regents is set to discuss the potential ban and vote on it next week. If approved, schools in the state will have until the end of the 2024-2025 school year to remove or rename their mascots. However, local federally recognized tribes can request written exemptions from the ban.
The proposed ban would impact 55 school districts in New York state and 12 high schools on Long Island. Schools using Native American-themed mascots or names will be required to remove any related imagery from buildings, courts, fields, and uniforms. Implementing these changes could cost schools thousands of dollars. School districts may request financial aid to assist with the costs, citing economic hardship. They may also ask for an extension on the deadline.
The Department of Education has warned that refusal to remove the imagery could result in the schools being denied certain state aid, or school officials losing their jobs. The Senior Deputy Commissioner, James N. Baldwin, has referred to the Dignity for All Students Act in a memo sent to schools in November. If the ban is implemented, New York will join 21 other states that have considered or implemented similar bans on Native American mascots and logos. Some states have chosen to ban specific names or review their use on a case-by-case basis.
