Beyond Redskins: Tulare Union High surveys public on new school mascot

A committee at Tulare Union High is surveying the community on the proposed new mascot to replace the soon-to-be-banned Redskins.

Earlier this year, the Legislature banned the old mascot as offensive to Native Americans, forcing schools in Tulare, Gustine, Chowchilla and Calaveras County to find replacements.

SurveyMonkey offers six alternate names chosen by a mascot selection committee, plus a field to write in a recommendation. Voting ends Sunday.

The options are: Braves, Crimson Tribe, Legends, Sentinels, Tribe, Tulare Union (no mascot) and other.

The committee will bring three recommendations for a new name, ranked in order of preference, to the Tulare Joint Union High School District board of trustees, which has the final say.

“We’ll get the local tribe’s input; they’re the ones most affected,” school board president Frank Fernandes said.

The selection committee also will recommend a date to adopt a new mascot. The district has until Jan. 1.

Choosing a new name has been a sensitive topic in Tulare because the school has had the old name for decades.

The mascot selection committee is composed of community members, alumni, local Native American tribe members, parents, staff and students.

It will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the high school to review survey results and discuss what names to recommend.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Beyond Redskins: Tulare Union High surveys public on new school mascot."