The Kansas Board of Education issued a recommendation last month  that all Kansas school districts replace native mascots last month due to the harmful effects they have on students. 

“We are aware of the state school board’s vote to recommend that all K-12 schools retire Indian themed mascots and images or branding within the next three to five years,” Principal Michael Dorst said. “We have a long and ongoing discussion [on the topic] in our community, but the State Board of Education decision does not mandate anything for us locally.”

According to supporters of the recommendation, the decision was made to spark discussions about Native American imagery and its impacts in our school districts. At a local level, besides prompting discussion, this decision does not decree action on the Indian symbol at Manhattan High school. The USD383 school board recently mentioned that it would keep the name “Indians” on Lew Lane Field at Bishop Stadium. However, this was strictly a district board decision, not enforced by the State.