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 #4
Wednesday, May 13, 2024
6pm
Attendance
W. McGinniss, A. Gevertz, T. Weaver, F. Rowe, B. Cunningham, C. Castano, J. Duncan, K.
Gökçe, K. Wells, A. Garcia Uriostegui
Agenda and Minutes (Meeting started at 6:10pm, Ended 7:11pm)
1. Welcome Msg (W. McGinnis, Chair)
2. Approval of the minutes. J. Duncan moved to approve. K. Wells seconded. Approved
8-0
3. B. Cunningham reviewed the survey results.
1. 1789 respondents
2. 78% supported changing mascot
3. Chameleons 11%, Phoenix 56%, Rattlers 33%
4. W. McGinnis opened discussion on the results.
1. W. McGinnis moved, K.Wells seconded, passed 10-0
5. Next Steps
1. Present to BoE
2. The committee’s will need to be formed into a formal resolution that each
committee should sign.
3. B. Cunningham reviewed the Operations Dept-provided Cost Estimates and
the process implications for mascot change. K. Gökçe commented on the
alumni muralist Pam Coria-Tellez who painted the current cafetorium. K.
Wells inquired about the imagery for Phoenix and how that will be
established. B. Cunningham responded that this will be a process managed at
the school after DCSD Board of Education approval.
4. W. McGinnis briefed the committee on the recent public meetings on the
future of Cross Keys HS/MS and how it may affect the proposed mascot
transition.
5. K. Gökçe mentioned an opportunity to recognize the “Rattlers” in a
partnership with the City of Brookhaven to honor the Lynwood Integrators in
some sort of monument at the future CKHS site tied into a student service
club sponsored jointly by City of Brookhaven and Lynwood Foundation.
6. Dr. Cunningham thanked W. McGinnis, A. Gevertz, T. Weaver, and F. Rowe for
support.
7. Recognitions
6. Adjourned at 7:11pm