Residents and parents pressed the Syosset Central School District Board of Education to move quickly after a New York State Education Department memorandum that directed public schools to retire Native American mascots and imagery unless a written agreement exists with a recognized tribe.

Public comment at the meeting centered on requests for immediate action. Rachel Jacobson, a Syosset resident and parent, told the board the state memo requires districts to stop using Native American mascots and that districts that fail to comply by the deadline risk funding and personnel consequences. “We need the board to bring this community together and usher in this change,” Jacobson said.

Several speakers urged quick compliance; Melissa Foreman, a Walt Whitman PTA co‑president and parent, referenced the state memorandum and called the district’s delay “unnecessary uncertainty.” Other public commenters urged the district to move deliberately: some alumni and youth‑sports representatives described tradition, Booster Club leaders raised concerns about costs and downstream effects on youth leagues, and several residents asked the board to engage recognized tribes before deciding.

Regulatory context provided at the meeting: board members said the department’s guidance (released in mid‑November) requires districts to adopt a board resolution retiring Native American mascots by June 30, 2023, and to remove related imagery by June 30, 2025; the regulation also provides an exemption where a written agreement exists between the public school and a federally or state recognized tribal nation prior to the regulation’s effective date. The superintendent told the board the regulation became public late on a Friday and that the Board of Regents would finalize implementation steps at upcoming meetings.

Board discussion produced a practical path forward: members generally agreed to pursue two tracks simultaneously. One track is outreach to locally recognized tribes to determine whether a written agreement can be reached before the regulation’s effective date (the regulation requires such agreements to be in place prior to the rule taking effect). The other track is to prepare a community engagement and transition plan — including a broad committee, clear timelines, and student input — in case tribal approval is not obtained. Several board members suggested the committee include alumni, parents, students and community volunteers; others emphasized clear, district‑led public communication and an expedited timeline so the district can meet the June 30 resolution requirement.

Superintendent Rogers said he would verify regulatory dates with the state and return to the board with a recommended engagement process and a timetable for outreach to tribal nations. He cautioned that public statements from some Long Island tribal representatives have so far signaled skepticism about approving continued mascot use, but he said the district would make direct inquiries and report back.

No vote to retire or keep the mascot occurred at the meeting. Board members stressed the need for transparent community participation and for professional guidance on legal and compliance risks before any final action.

Representative comments (selection): Rachel Jacobson (resident/parent): “The directive from the state is clear … the longer we wait, the more time we’re losing.” Melissa Foreman (resident/parent): “The ruling from the state is both clear in its focus and scope… The unnecessary uncertainty surrounding this situation is causing divisiveness.” David Friedman (resident; Syosset Lacrosse Booster Club president) said he and other youth sports volunteers were prepared to defend the community’s tradition and asked for a clear district plan. Superintendent Rogers said the district will pursue the two parallel steps and bring an item back to the board for decision.