One of the local school districts forced to get rid of its Chiefs nickname by the state Education Department is returning to the drawing board to find its replacement.
Last fall, the Southern Cayuga school community chose “Cougars” as its new nickname. However, the Auburn Citizen reports the district’s Board of Education won’t approve the nickname because Cougars “has a negative connotation associated with it.”
A committee will meet in late May to review new nicknames recommended by students and the community.
The use of Native American imagery and mascots by New York schools was barred by the state Education Department back in the Spring. Southern Cayuga retired the Chiefs logo several years ago.
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