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 #3 - Community Input
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
6pm
Attendance
W. McGinniss, A. Gevertz, T. Weaver, F. Rowe, B. Cunningham, C. Castano, J. Duncan, K.
Gökçe, K. Wells
Agenda and Minutes (Meeting started at 6:10pm, Ended 7:40pm)
1. Welcome (W. McGinniss, Chair)
2. Approval of the minutes. W. McGinniss moved to approve. K. Wells seconded. Approved
7-0
3. Review of community and committee input on mascot naming options
1. Review short list of 13 and the need to narrow down to a top three.
2. W. McGinniss raised a concern about having multiple serpent mascot options
“splitting” the vote for those that may want a snake mascot. Same concern was
raised about “Thunderbird” given that Phoenix is likely a shortlist finalist. C.
Castano supported Phoenix. J. Duncan expressed support for Rattlers due to the
history and experience of Lynwood integrators. K. Wells expressed questions
about “Unicorns.” K. Gökçe offered to withdraw “Coosa.” A. Gevertz asked about
the plural form of, ”Phoenix.”
4. W. McGinniss proposed a series of eliminations that all passed unanimously. A motion to
include Rattlers also passed unanimously. Same for Phoenix.
1. Discussion about the remaining three: Chameleons, Lobos, or Leopards. W.
McGinniss/K. Gökçe both mentioned the alliterative value of Chameleons.
Subsequently, the committee voted to put forth these final three: 1. Rattlers, 2.
Phoenix, 3. Chameleons
5. W. McGinniss discussed next steps
1. Community Ballot
2. Community defined as the current Cross Keys cluster along with the three munis.
Online survey will be distributed by DCSD surveying tool that includes about
sixteen languages. Paper will be English/Spanish. Plan is for two weeks open
ballot.
3. Ballot results are not binding but W. McGinniss strongly encourages the
committee to reflect the results which hopefully will be clear.
4. W. McGinniss recommended that we allow a place for an expression of support
to keep the Indians. Her suggestion is that the survey/ballot include a first
question which says, “Should it change?”
5. The ballot must go out within ten days of this meeting?
6. Committee discussed how DCSD’s process will protect against duplicate votes.
7. Committee discussed in detail how the ballot will be constructed and distributed.
1. what is your relationship to the school
2. should the mascot change
3. If yes, what is your preferred choice?
6. W. McGinniss moved, K. Gökçe seconded a motion to adopt the described approach to
the ballot. Approved unanimously
7. W. McGinniss described a target to open the ballot next week for two weeks (14 days,
including weekends).
8. B. Cunningham shared that end of course testing will be going on and suggested we
leave it open a little longer than 14 days.
9. Adjourned at 7:40pm