Lane Tech College Prep’s school council — made up of parents, community members, teachers and one student — has voted to abolish the school’s Native American mascot.
The Local School Council voted 12-0 Tuesday to do away with the controversial symbol, said Ana Scales, a member of the committee. The “Indian” mascot features a Native American wearing a feather headdress.
In mid-July, the council reached out to current and former students, asking them in an online questionnaire whether the mascot should be replaced, Scales said. Some 9,100 people responded, with 52.5% saying the mascot needed to go, Scales said. The council also received about 300 emails from current and former students, offering their opinions on the mascot.
The board has been told by Chicago Public Schools’ chief equity officer, Maurice R. Swinney, that the vote is advisory and not final, although in the same letter, Swinney told the LSC that Lane Tech should now begin the process of choosing a new symbol to represent the school.
