BERLIN (AP) - The Berlin Area School District has renewed discussions about its Indian mascot in light of a new state law.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction originally told the district it would have to change the mascot. Superintendent Robert Eidahl says the new state law put the brakes on that change for now. The new law requires a petition to trigger a state review of a nickname instead of a single complaint. It also wipes out all previous state orders for schools to drop race-based mascots.
WLUK-TV says the school board heard arguments on both sides Wednesday night, but made no immediate decision. Those in favor of a change say the Indian logo has negative and racist overtones. Those for keeping it say it's a matter of free speech.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction originally told the district it would have to change the mascot. Superintendent Robert Eidahl says the new state law put the brakes on that change for now. The new law requires a petition to trigger a state review of a nickname instead of a single complaint. It also wipes out all previous state orders for schools to drop race-based mascots.
WLUK-TV says the school board heard arguments on both sides Wednesday night, but made no immediate decision. Those in favor of a change say the Indian logo has negative and racist overtones. Those for keeping it say it's a matter of free speech.