Schools across New York state with Native American mascots or logos will now be required to change them or face consequences.

The state Board of Regents unanimously voted to approve the measure Tuesday morning.

Mark Beehler, superintendent of the Salamanca City Central School District, says this is a unique situation for them. He says the school doesn't necessarily have a mascot, but they do have a logo depicting a historically accurate Native American man.

This image, he says, was made by a local Indigenous artist and has phased out any old imagery.

The school also holds the identity of "Warriors" and offers Native American curriculum and services.

He believes the district may qualify for exemption from the Seneca Nation to continue with this identity, but the decision to do something like that hasn't been made yet.

"I think that if that's what we decide that we need to have the opportunity to be heard...we support that decision of NYSED to do that but at the same time, each one of these circumstances need to be reviewed," Beehler said.

The Seneca Nation responded to the prohibition in a statement saying:

"Respect for Native people and our history should always be the expectation, not the exception. We believe the State's provision for agreements between school districts and Native Nations should be rare and limited, rather than an open invitation for districts to go 'approval shopping' among Native Nations. The Seneca Nation will carefully consider how that standard may potentially apply within our community."

Concerns over funding these changes have come up. Uniforms, signage and even images on fields, will have to be changed, amounting to thousands of dollars that will not be coming from the state.

NYSED responded to those concerns, saying the cost could have been minimal if districts began making these changes years ago.

Schools that do not comply could face consequences already in place for neglecting duties such as this. More guidance is set to come.