West Hartford School Board Votes on Controversial Indian Mascot Debate

After much debate, the West Hartford Board of Education voted Tuesday to allow Conard and Hall high schools to continue to be known as the Chieftains and Warriors, respectively, but without the Native American mascots, according to the Hartford Courant.

The Courant reports that the board members voted unanimously to compromise and allow the team names to remain, without any reference to Native American culture, after opinions were sharply divided along party lines.

Republicans Jay Sarzen and Mark Zydanowicz defended the use of the mascots, while Democrats Tammy Exum, Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, Bruce Putterman and Terry Schmitt said the Native American mascots have no place in town schools, according to the Courant.

A special meeting is scheduled for a final vote on March 25 and the school principals will lead the effort to modify their logos and mascots by June 15, according to the Courant.

Read the full story at the Hartford Courant.

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