Agenda Item
a. Renaming of the Mascot at Cross Keys High School ~ Update 6.5.2024
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Board Member, District 2
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the renaming of the mascot at Cross Keys High School from the Indians to the Phoenix.
Why: The stakeholders of Cross Keys High School requested that the mascot be renamed to remove the current mascot the Indian. The current mascot is deemed offensive to the prominent demographic of the school and the community it serves.
Details: The committee, led by Board member Ms. Whitney McGinniss, was composed of the required Board members and District and School leaders. Additionally, teachers, parents, community members and a student were a part of the committee. There were a total of 15 members on the committee.
The committee met on the following dates:
January 30, 2024
March 6, 2024
April 10, 2024
May 13, 2024
*Public input meeting was March 6, 2024
Financial impact: Areas impacted by the mascot renaming included, but not limited to athletics, band uniforms, murals, and miscellaneous will be reflected in the modernization of Cross Keys High School. Items such as letterhead and stationery are estimated be a small cost that could be absorbed by the local school budget.
Contact: Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Board Member, District 2, 678-676-0722
Dr. Triscilla Weaver, Area Superintendent for Horizon Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-2845
Effective: Upon Board Approval, the Horizon Area will work with appropriate divisions for the renaming of the mascot.
Cross Keys High School
Mascot Committee Mtg #2
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
6pm
Attendance
W. McGinniss, A. Gevertz, T. Weaver, F. Rowe, B. Cunningham, C. Castano, J.
Duncan,K. Gökçe, C. López, K. Wells
Agenda and Minutes (Meeting started at 6:05pm, Ended 7:13pm)
● Welcome Msg & Video (Whitney McGinnis, Chair) describing the process,
milestones, and considerations
● Background (Dr. Cunningham) - background of community requests to revisit the
mascot
○ shared results of school house survey
○ and results of online survey
○ and initial suggestions from committee members
● Chair reminded attendees of the need for uniqueness and invited attendees to
offer mascot suggestions for in public comments. Chair reminded folks the
compiled list is posted for public review
● Public Comment - attendees posted comments to the chat window for capture.
Comment ended at 6:47pm.
Decisions Made
● Minutes reviewed for approval 10 - yes, 0 - no
● Committee shortlist reviewed for attendees with a call for nominations
○ motion by KEG to add, “Comets,” to the list of committee suggestions.
Seconded by Allyson Gevertz. Passed by acclamation.
Action Items
● Review the provided materials
● Each member should bring 1-3 mascot suggestions they support once the
community survey closes on March 8.
Next Meeting
Wednesday, April 10 6pm via zoom
Escuela Secundaria Cross Keys
Registro de la Reunión del Comité de Renombramiento/ Aporte Comunitario
miércoles, 6 de marzo del 2024
6pm
Asistencia
W. McGinniss, A. Gevertz, T. Weaver, F. Rowe, B. Cunningham, C. Castano, J.
Duncan,K. Gökçe, C. López, K. Wells
Agenda y Registro de los minutos (La reunión empezó a las 6:05pm, término a las
7:13pm)
● Mensaje de bienvenida & Video (Whitney McGinnis, Presidenta) con la
descripción del proceso, hitos, y consideraciones
● Los antecedentes (Dra. Cunningham) - Antecedentes de las solicitudes de la
comunidad para cambiar la mascota.
○ Resultados compartidos de la encuesta en las escuelas.
○ y resultados de la encuesta en línea
○ Las sugerencias iniciales de los miembros de comité
● La presidenta recordó a todos los miembros que asistieron, la necesidad de
tener una mascota diferente e invitó a los miembros presentes a que ofrecieran
sugerencias de mascotas en los comentarios públicos. La presidenta recordó a
la gente que la lista compilada se publica para revisión pública.
● Comentario público: quienes asistieron publicaron comentarios en la ventana de
chat para capturarlos. El comentario público finalizó a las 6:47 p.m.
Las Decisiones Tomadas
● Se repasó el registro de los minutos para ser aprobado 10 - si, 0 - no
● El Comité repasó la lista corta para quienes asistieron y pidieron nominaciones
○ Hubo una moción del KEG para agregar “Cometas” a la lista de
sugerencias del comité. Secundado por Allyson Gevertz. Aprobado por
aclamación.
Pedidos de acción
● Repasar los materiales que se brindaron en la reunión
● Una vez cierre la encuesta de la comunidad el 8 de marzo, cada miembro debe
de traer de 1-3 sugerencias de mascotas que ellos apoyan.
La Próxima Reunion
miércoles, 10 de abril a las 6PM por medio de ZOOM.