One Schuyler County school community is being asked to weigh in on the name of a new school mascot.
The Bradford School District has been given the option to remove its current mascot, the Braves, or risk the loss of New York State funding. The New York State Board of Regents recently passed new guidelines stating that schools must refrain from using names, images, or mascots that reference Native American cultures.
The district has put together an online form asking current students, staff, alumni, and residents to offer a mascot suggestion as well as a reason or concept of why the district should choose their suggestion. According to the district, the information provided will be given to the mascot steering committee for review and consideration. Eventually, the committee will make recommendations on potential new mascots, which will then be put back out to all Bradford constituents for feedback and an eventual final decision.
The school must fully comply with the state’s regulation by June of next year. More information can be found at the Bradford school’s website.
