GREENWOOD MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS NICKNAME
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 -- 11:29 AM
Despite fielding no complaints in recent years, the Greenwood School District may have to consider dropping their ?Indian? nickname and logo.Superintendent Dr. David Westhoff has been watching proposed state legislation very closely. A bill that recently passed the Assembly would allow the state superintendent to fine schools that keep race-based logos. Schools that don?t change could face thousands of dollars in forfeitures.
The district, whose nickname is the Indians, modified its logo in recent years. They changed it from an image of a Native American to the initials GHS with a Native American spear through the letters.
Westhoff is relatively new with the district, but he says there hasn?t been any public outrage.
"The history of the district with the Native Americans has been very positive," Dr. Westhoff explains. "There doesn't seem to be any comments that it should be revised."
He says the school board hasn?t discussed the logo or nickname since he came on board last year, but they may have to if the state senate approves the proposed legislation.
"It's out there. If I understand the bill, the 32 districts that have the Indian mascot are probably going to be approached," he says.
If the district has to make a change, Westhoff doesn?t think it will be all that costly; especially compared to the cost of litigation.
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