West Hartford School Board Takes Final Vote on Controversial Indian Mascot Debate

The compromise attempting to maintain school history without offending Native Americans was officially approved by the West Hartford Board of Education Wednesday night.

As a result of the votes, West Hartford’s high schools will continue to be known as the Conard Chieftains and the Hall Warriors but the Native American mascots will be replaced by June 15, under the direction of principal-led committees, according to the Hartford Courant.

The decision was made following a final, unanimous vote by the school board along with unanimously approving a plan to pay for new logos for both schools.

Essentially, the board members are “technically not telling the schools what to do,” but are only offering funding for the rebranding, according to the Courant.

Also, no new images depicting Native Americans will be used in either school, and all existing school-sponsored logos and symbols will be retired before next school year begins, according to the Courant.

Read the full story at the Hartford Courant here.