Wantagh Gets 1-Year Extension To Change Mascot Name, BOE Says

WANTAGH, NY. — The Wantagh School District will have an additional year to comply with a New York State law outlawing the use of Indigenous names, mascots and logos thanks to an extension granted by the State Education Department, the Wantagh Board of Education announced in a letter to parents this week.

Signed by BOE president Anthony Greco, vice president Jennifer Perfetti, and trustees Tara Cassidy, Adam Fisher and Laura Reich, the letter from the BOE says that the school district has been given an additional year to make the changes required under the state’s mascot mandate. As it stands post-extension, the district now has until June 30, 2027 to comply with the state.

While the deadline to comply was extended, the board said in the letter that the district is “currently pursuing a multi-pronged legal strategy to challenge the mandate,” including a case in state court and an appeal of a previous ruling in federal court.

“We continue to monitor national developments, including findings from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which may have significant implications for how state mandates such as Part 123 are applied,” the board said.

Previously, the district has said that it would keep the “Warriors” name but develop new imagery, moving away from the existing image of a man with a mohawk with feathers on his head. In more recent guidance from the state, however, the district was told such a change — keeping the name intact while changing the logo — would not be permissible.

The board members said in their letter that they’re “doing [their] due diligence.” The board has previously said a wholesale update of the school mascot could cost the district upwards of $650,000.

“We are maintaining a proactive planning process to ensure the district is prepared for any outcome,” the board members said.