School Boards and the Native American Mascot Debate

School Boards and the Native American Mascot Debate

Wednesday, June 23 | 12:00-12:45 PM CDT

A livestream event (Facebook and YouTube | no registration)

Masks. Critical race theory. Native American mascots. The types of hot-button issues that school board members must deal with while performing their volunteer roles don’t seem to be getting any easier.

The questions facing boards of education can be complex. How do you come to a conclusion about what the right course of action is for your district? How do you and to what extent do you engage stakeholders and the community? And is it possible to both make tough decisions and build community trust simultaneously?

And how do you know you made the right decision?

In Kansas, at least four school districts – Manhattan-Ogden, Shawnee Mission, Wichita and Atchison – have tried to address concerns about Native American mascots in the past few years in ways that are unique to their communities. Three ended the use of Native American mascots by schools in their districts, while Manhattan kept its Indian mascot while ushering in other changes.

Join Journal managing editor Chris Green and a panel of experts for a live streamed virtual discussion focused on the role school boards play in resolving concerns about Native American mascots and what members have learned about grappling with difficult issues.

Tune in on our Facebook or YouTube channels.

The panel will feature:

• Chief Ben Barnes, Shawnee Tribe
• Heather Ousley, president, Shawnee Mission USD 512 Board of Education
• Sean Crittendon, board members, Atchison USD 409 Board of Education
• Ron Rosales, board member, Wichita USD 259 Board of Education
• Carole Cadue-Blackwood, board member, Lawrence USD 497 Board of Education and enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas
• Jurdene Coleman, president, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education
• Leah Fliter, former board member, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education and director of governmental relations at the Kansas Association of School Boards
• Mike Sherry, Journal contributor

For more information on The Journal, visit klcjournal.com. The print edition featuring the story about generations in public service can be purchased at the Kansas Leadership Center’s online store.