Idaho school delays dropping ‘Redskin’ mascot

After a community outcry, an eastern Idaho school district is delaying its transition away from its “Redskins” school mascot, the AP reports.

In the wake of a Monday public hearing on the plan, Driggs school Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme says he needs more time to work with school administrators and patrons on the transition; that means the mascot will remain for the upcoming school year.

On Monday, nearly 170 residents attended a three-hour public hearing. Of the 67 people who testified, only three supported the mascot change and two more were neutral, with the majority urging to keep the name in a nod to school tradition and school pride. A “Save the Redskins” Facebook page has attracted 1,279 followers and an online petition to save the mascot on Change.org had collected 628 signatures by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Shoshone-Bannock tribal leaders called the name disrespectful and offensive. Read more . Betsy Russell, EOB

What do you make of the community backlash against dropping the mascot?