Santa Rita to retire 'Indians' mascot under AB 3074; students selecting new name ahead of 2026 deadline

The Santa Rita Union School District presented a background briefing Tuesday on the history of the Santa Rita “Indians” mascot and on the process leading to a student‑driven selection of a new mascot after Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3074 into law. A staff member leading the presentation told the board, “Assembly Bill 3074...prohibits California public schools from using the term Indian as a mascot, team name, or a nickname, and it requires schools to retire the designation and to transition to culturally respective alternatives by 07/01/2026.” Why it matters: AB 3074 establishes a statutory deadline for schools to retire mascots using the term “Indian.” Santa Rita’s approach emphasizes student participation and historical context: third- through fifth-graders have researched options and will submit finalists for the board’s consideration at the first October meeting. Presentation highlights: staff traced the name’s local history — usages dating back to early newspapers and local baseball teams in the early 20th century — and presented archival photos from the Salinas Public Library’s Laverne Wilcox collection. The presenter noted oral-history connections from former students and community members and suggested the board consider a plaque acknowledging local Indigenous homelands when announcing the new mascot. Board reaction: trustees expressed a range of views. One board member described the change as an example of evolving community standards: “We evolve with understanding,” they said, and praised the district’s plan to have current students propose the new mascot. Another trustee suggested producing a central online resource of local historical and cultural field-trip opportunities to support teachers. Next steps: students’ finalists will be presented at the October board meeting, and the district will retire the existing designation by the statutory deadline of July 1, 2026. Staff also proposed a commemorative plaque acknowledging Indigenous peoples who historically inhabited the Salinas Valley. Ending: The board received the informational presentation; no formal adoption of a new mascot was taken at the meeting.