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Parents press Syosset board to retire Native‑themed mascot as state guidance remains pending
Summary
Multiple residents urged the board to act on a required retirement of Native‑American mascots, citing the state directive and the Dignity for All Students Act. Board leaders said they are awaiting final NYSED/regents guidance and indicated they will place the matter on a future agenda for possible vote.
Several residents told the Syosset Board of Education the district must move quickly to retire the school’s Native‑themed team name and imagery, invoking a New York State directive and the Dignity for All Students Act.
Rachel Jacobson said the state education department has “stated in no uncertain terms” that districts using Native American names, logos or imagery “must immediately come into compliance,” and urged the board to act before the state deadline to avoid a loss of state funding. Melissa Foreman, Walt Whitman PTA president (speaking on her own behalf), said the district should “choose to move forward” and described the imagery as a “Euro‑American stereotype” when used to refer to Native Americans.
Several members of the public, including middle‑school students, asked the board to make a swift decision. Brian Foreman recounted his own research and cited studies he said show the imagery creates unconscious bias in youth and adults; he pointed to professional sports and colleges that have retired similar names in recent years.
Board leadership and administration responded that they are monitoring NYSED activity. Superintendent Dr. Rogers and Board President Mr. Rotolo said the state has convened an advisory council and that additional guidance or regulations are expected when the Board of Regents acts on final regulations. Mr. Rotolo asked whether the board should place a vote on the matter at its next meeting; board members indicated they wanted the district to develop cost estimates and an implementation plan. District counsel and administrators noted there are several implementation steps (uniforms, field end zones, affiliated community groups that use imagery) and that many costs can be phased because uniforms and equipment are replaced on a regular cycle.
The board described next steps as contingent on the state’s forthcoming guidance but signaled willingness to move the item onto the April agenda for formal consideration and possible vote.
Ending: Residents asked for a clear timeline. The board said it is preparing background material and implementation options and will act after the state’s final guidance is available — but that it expects to put the topic on the April agenda for a vote or additional follow‑up.
