MONROE - Wisconsin public schools still might be forced to change logos, nicknames or mascots that are considered offensive, but they may have more time to do it.
Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, expects the Assembly to vote in September on a bill that would require districts to change their school name, mascot, logo or team nickname if the Department of Public Instruction deems it offensive. An amendment to the bill made last month would give school districts up to three years - rather than one - to make changes.
The Assembly's Education Committee approved the bill in March on a partisan vote - eight Democrats in support and five Republicans opposed. The legislation would require someone living in the district to complain first, then the DPI would rule whether the complaint is valid. School boards would have a chance to argue the logos or mascots don't discriminate or amount to harassment or stereotyping.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, registered one of the "no" votes, saying the bill would take what should be a local issue out of the hands of local school boards.
"I still think it's up to individual districts. I have an issue with the DPI dictating what names should be," Davis said.
"It's an example of people in Madison thinking they know more than local school boards," he said.
Hilgenberg also serves on the Education Committee and is a co-sponsor of the bill. He said he could support the amendment giving districts more time to make changes.
School districts that don't make changes within the allowed time would face fines of $100 to $1,000 for each additional day.
Democrats control both houses of the Legislature, and Gov. Jim Doyle supports the bill.
Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, expects the Assembly to vote in September on a bill that would require districts to change their school name, mascot, logo or team nickname if the Department of Public Instruction deems it offensive. An amendment to the bill made last month would give school districts up to three years - rather than one - to make changes.
The Assembly's Education Committee approved the bill in March on a partisan vote - eight Democrats in support and five Republicans opposed. The legislation would require someone living in the district to complain first, then the DPI would rule whether the complaint is valid. School boards would have a chance to argue the logos or mascots don't discriminate or amount to harassment or stereotyping.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, registered one of the "no" votes, saying the bill would take what should be a local issue out of the hands of local school boards.
"I still think it's up to individual districts. I have an issue with the DPI dictating what names should be," Davis said.
"It's an example of people in Madison thinking they know more than local school boards," he said.
Hilgenberg also serves on the Education Committee and is a co-sponsor of the bill. He said he could support the amendment giving districts more time to make changes.
School districts that don't make changes within the allowed time would face fines of $100 to $1,000 for each additional day.
Democrats control both houses of the Legislature, and Gov. Jim Doyle supports the bill.