MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Another Western New York school district will be doing away with an indigenous nickname.
Earlier this month, the Chautauqua Lake Central School District issued a statement informing the community that the state had reached out about the use of the "Thunderbirds" nickname.
The New York State Education Department informed the district that the nickname and imagery could no longer be used because of its indigenous origins. This comes after the New York State Board of Regents unanimously approved a 22-page amendment earlier this year that prohibits public schools from using Native American names, mascots, and logos.
"While we understand that there may be mixed feelings about being directed to change our school nickname, we want to emphasize that the district is required to do so by law and that we must meet these requirements," a statement from the superintendent read.
NYSED notified the Chautauqua Lake Central School District on June 5 to let them know they could no longer use the nickname.
In the announcement, the process for going forward with the changes was outlined.
Over the summer a team responsible for identifying what needs to be changed and how to execute the process, as well as a team to bring to the board approval for a new nickname will be selected.
A new nickname is scheduled to be proposed no later than Dec. 31. It will take a couple of years to make sure all imagery has been replaced with the new nickname.
The district said the cost of the changes would not be taken from funds for educational programs.