Liberty Central School District is one of more than 60 districts across the state that are considering mascot name changes following new guidance put out by state education department leaders to phase out mascots that reference Native Americans.

“You have some individuals that are proud to be the Liberty Indians. We've been the Liberty Indians for about 75 years, and others are embracing this change,” said Liberty Superintedent Patrick Sullivan.

Sullivan said the district is considering all opinions as decisions are made.

What You Need To Know

  • A memo from the State Education Department issued last November said districts using Native American team names, imagery and/or logos must begin taking steps to change them by the end of the 2022-2023 school year. 

  • Through conversations with members of the Lenape Tribe, Patrick Sullivan, superintendent of the Liberty Central School District, said the district was informed about the offensive nature of Liberty’s mascot.

  • The school is now searching for a new mascot and getting input from everyone.

This comes following a memo the State Education Department issued last November that said districts using Native American team names, imagery and/or logos must begin taking steps to change them by the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Failure to do so could violate the Dignity Act and penalties include forgoing state aid and removing school officers.

“A mascot is very important because it's the symbol. It's what the school district represents. All the imagery around the school is based around this mascot,” Sullivan said. “We want our students and our families and our alumni and our school community to stand behind the mascot.”  

Lianna Gissentaner is a sophomore at Liberty High School and she said it’s time for a change.  

“If they're talking about like different tribes, they aren't technically Indians. They are actually Native Americans. But also, at the same time singles out the people that are Indian or Native American,” Gissentaner said.  

Through conversations with members of the Lenape Tribe, the superintendent said the district was informed about the offensive nature of Liberty’s mascot. The school is now searching for a new mascot and getting input from everyone, including Gissentaner.

“It shows that the students care. Like, of course, adults are going to care, and of course, that this has to be done, but I think it's very important to show that the student body cares about the things that are going on in their environment and the things that affect them,” Gissentaner said.

The change isn’t without controversy. Timothy Hulse, a staff member, parent and alumni of the Liberty Central School District, said the mascot should stay, but offered alternative mascot ideas.

“I am saddened by it because while no one wants to offend anybody, you don't pick a mascot that you're embarrassed of or that you hate. If it offends somebody, anything, then can be offensive. This is a slippery slope,” Hulse said.

The Wappingers Central School District also uses “Indians” as its mascot. Superintendent Dwight Bonk said the district is waiting until the Board of Regents adopts the proposed state regulations before reaching a final decision. The Liberty superintendent feels it’s important to take steps now to ensure everyone’s voices are heard.

“If we would just make a change without input, then we're doing a disservice to our school community,” Sullivan said.