Mahopac undecided on name change but withholds logo from field re-do
MAHOPAC − Anticipating the possibility "Indians" may be dropped as the nickname of the district's athletic teams, the Mahopac Board of Education Tuesday night agreed that only an "M" will be at the center of an artificial turf field that's being replaced, instead of the current logo, which is an M, with an arrow and a feather.
But with trustees noting the full logo could be painted on later, if desired, the board made it clear no decision has been made on whether Mahopac will comply with a state Education Department directive that schools scrap Native American nicknames and logos.
The state issued that order last month and with it the threat non-complying districts could lose state aid and/or face removal of school superintendents, board of education trustees and even district clerks.
The edict followed the education department's victory in state Supreme Court that effectively forces the upstate Cambridge Central School District to abandon its "Indians" nickname. The state went to court after the district announced plans to end use of the nickname, then reversed itself.
But that issue isn't fully settled.
Cambridge is appealing the court decision and a ruling, according to Mahopac Superintendent of Schools Christine Tona, isn't expected for weeks.
Additionally, the state's edict provides a potential escape mechanism. The education department has said a district may keep Native American nicknames and/or mascots with the approval of what Tona explained as a "federally recognized tribal nation within the state."
While Tona and trustees have questions about the state's definition of a tribe in the state, they agreed to try to get tribal approval as a safeguard in case they ultimately decide to try to keep the Indians nickname.
Tuesday's meeting was a board work session and, as such, no public comments were allowed.
But community opinion is said to be divided.
Board members didn't tip their hands on which way they personally lean, but they did seem united in concern about the potential costs associated with any name change.
Tona, who noted the district had abandoned Indian feathered headdress imagery years ago, said she didn't know whether the state would accept Mahopac's current M/arrow/feather logo, an issue separate from the actual name "Indians."
No dollar figure was cited but worry was expressed about the cost of eliminating the logo, since it adorns team uniforms, multiple artificial turf fields, building walls and gym floors.
"It's another unfunded state mandate," board president Ben DiLullo lamented.
Trustee Tanner McCracken, a 2017 Mahopac High graduate, suggested a public advisory vote be held on changing the name.
"I speak to so many residents who overwhelmingly take pride in the name Indians," Trustee Jonathan Schneider said.
But while he indicated the term was never intended to be negative and the intent was positive acknowledgment of people who once lived in and around Mahopac, Schneider expressed concern about most people's lack of actual knowledge about the hamlet's first inhabitants.
Schneider, other board members and Tona suggested the district incorporate studies of the area's past Native American residents and their culture into Mahopac's K-12 curriculum.
"I think it's truly important all students understand the history," Tona said, characterizing the area as having been created by Native Americans' "hard work."
Trustee Adam Savino said the studies would be designed to "honor the people who were here before us."
Whether those people would like the Indians nickname is, of course, unclear.
The Education Department is giving school districts until the end of this school year to have a plan in place to replace mascots and nicknames and until the end of the 2024-25 school year to actually do it.
Technically, the SED rule requires state Board of Regents approval.
The state recently announced a 60-day public comment period, beginning December 28, will be held before the Board of Regents votes on the matter in April.
Some trustees were skeptical comments would truly be considered by the Board of Regents and rubber-stamping of the SED rules might occur.
Still, it was agreed a link would be provided on the district's website, directing people to the place where comments may be posted.
"It's not an easy decision," Trustee Adam Savino said of Mahopac changing names.
He said the district has to do "what's best for the kids and what's best for the community."
"We're proud of our area and the history around it," he said.
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In the last few years, several districts have dropped Native American mascots or nicknames.
Two of the most recent were the Nyack Indians (now RedHawks) and the John Jay-Cross River Indians, now Wolves.
But Mahopac is not the only holdout.
The Wappingers School District (named after the Wappinger tribe) will have to decide about Roy C. Ketcham High School, whose teams also play under the nickname Indians.
And there, too, it's unclear how the board will respond.
Dr. Dwight Bonk, the Wappingers School District's superintendent of schools, referred to the public comment period and Board of Regents upcoming in saying Tuesday, "As this is an extremely sensitive issue within our community, the district will be monitoring that process carefully, prior to reaching a final decision ..."
In Mahopac, the issue is not on the agenda for the board's regular meeting Thursday night. Schneider, though, said he expects many residents to speak about the issue during Thursday's public comments period.
With trustees breaking into executive session to discuss other matters, it was left unclear whether a public vote would be considered.
Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track & field, field hockey, skiing, ice hockey, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at both @HaggertyNancy and at @LoHudHockey.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mahopac changes field logo, but Indians nickname unresolved
