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Public comment on mascots runs through Feb. 28
By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — New Yorkers have until Feb. 28 to submit comments on the State Education Department regulation requiring school districts to retire Native American team names, mascots and imagery.
The Education Department on Nov. 17 issued a memo mandating that districts drop mascots of this nature — such as the RCS Indians — and threatened the loss of state funding for districts that decline to make the switch.
For RCS, lost state aid would amount to roughly $26 million.
Districts that do not comply would also see the removal of school officers.
Residents who would like to have input into the state’s decision have until Feb. 28 to submit comments about the Education Department’s decision to the Board of Regents.
“On Dec. 1, the State Education Department issued a follow-up memo concerning proposed amendments to the regulations of the Commissioner of Education,” according to a statement from the RCS district. “There is a 60-day comment period on these proposed amendments.”
Anyone wishing to submit comments can do so to: Christina Coughlin, Assistant Commissioner, NYS Education Department, 89 Washington Ave., Room 1078 EBA, Albany, NY 12234. The department can be reached at 518-474-7206. Comments can also be submitted by email to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov.
The RCS district intends to change the team name and mascot as required by the state, District Superintendent Dr. Brian Bailey said at the January meeting of the board of education. The district is planning on compiling a committee to address the issue after additional information is provided by the state.
“RCS will be forming a diverse committee of community and school members to discuss the change process once the State Education Department has issued further guidance,” according to a statement on the district’s website.
According to the Education Department’s Dec. 1 memo, the prohibition of the use of Indigenous names and imagery falls under the state statute, “Dignity for All Students Act.”
Back in 2001, the state voiced opposition to the use of Native American symbols or depictions as mascots. Some schools statewide complied over the ensuing years while others have not made the switch.
The issue reared its head again after the board of education in the Cambridge Central School District — also dubbed the “Indians” — initially planned to retire the school mascot. But the following month, after a new member joined the board, the decision was reversed.
That set off a chain of events and court cases that led to the current prohibition on Native American names and imagery.
The public comment period on the state’s decision opened Dec. 28 and will conclude Feb. 28.
‘Hermann’: The photo that keeps a WWII soldier’s memory alive
RAVENA — On Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m., the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society is pleased to welcome Zachary Clouse, of Coeymans, a 2016 Historical Society scholarship winner and 2021 graduate of Siena College, who will present a program on his documentary short film “Herrmann.”
In 2021, Clouse’s documentary won Audience Choice Best Picture and Best Documentary at the 2021 Catskill International Film Festival.
The film chronicles the story of Theodore Herrmann, a son of German immigrants who in 1941 left the small village of Ravena to help defeat fascism. In his four years of service, Herrmann saw grueling combat against the German army, and his image was shared across the country through an Associated Press photograph.
In the 75 years since his death, however, his name has been lost to time. Clouse will discuss Herrmann’s life, how he rediscovered his once-buried story, and the process of sharing through film this hero’s service.
Zachary Clouse grew up fascinated with history, particularly the military history of World War II, having members of his family serve and survive. Their service fueled his passion.
Having missed the opportunity to ask family members of their service, Clouse wanted to capture and preserve those veteran stories before the soldiers of the “Greatest Generation” have gone.
In addition to producing “Herrmann,” Clouse is currently working on a long-running documentary project called “Bridged with Blood” about the role of U.S. Army Combat Engineers during World War II. His work can be followed on Instagram @VestigeMedia.
Please join in the program, open to the public, that will be held in the museum on 15 Mountain Road, Ravena.
Because of limited space, the Historical Society respectfully requires everyone who attends to wear masks.
