Board of Education statements concerning use of "Indians" in reference to athletics and activities

(Updated July 26, 2021)

Statement from Board President Kurt Korte (July 19, 2021)
Resolution to Retire the Use of "Indians" in Reference to Activities and Athletics (July 19, 2021)
Responses to Public Comment from July 19, 2021, Meeting (July 26, 2021)

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STATEMENT FROM KURT KORTE - PRESIDENT, LEMONT HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 210 BOARD OF EDUCATION
At its meeting on Monday, July 19, the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education approved a resolution to discontinue the use of “Indians” in reference to its student activities and athletic teams effective at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, and to begin phasing out the use of the “LHS Indians” logo for activities and athletics.

The Board of Education is unanimous in its support of this resolution, which can be found in full at the bottom of the page. Please click here to view a signed version.

Lemont High School students are well prepared for the next stage in their lives and are successful in the classroom, on stage, and on the playing fields. These successes can be attributed to consistent community support, as well as to the Board of Education and school administrators aligning their goals to the district’s mission: “For all students to become life-long, independent learners and productive citizens in a rapidly changing world.”

The primary responsibility of the Board of Education is to ensure our students are provided with the best educational experience at Lemont High School. It is imperative for our students to learn to think critically in an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

The resolution approved by the Board of Education is supportive of that responsibility.

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RESOLUTION TO RETIRE THE USE OF “INDIANS” IN REFERENCE TO ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

WHEREAS Lemont High School was established in 1890; and

WHEREAS Lemont High School’s athletic teams were referred to as the “Indians” from 1948-68, as the “Injuns” from 1968-2005, and again as the “Indians” from 2006-21; and

WHEREAS organizations including the National Commission on Civil Rights, American Psychological Association and National Congress of American Indians, among others, have called for discontinuing the use of Native American names and symbols as nicknames and/or mascots by non-Native schools; and

WHEREAS the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education acknowledges that imagery, depictions, phrases and references considered acceptable at one time now may be considered derogatory or offensive toward a person or class of people, which may hinder providing an ideal learning environment for all students; and

WHEREAS Lemont High School’s student handbook states, “It is essential Lemont High School promotes in students not only a self image deeply rooted in a sense of personal dignity, but also the development of attitudes grounded in respect for and understanding of other persons, races, religions and cultures”; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education approves the discontinuation of the use of “Indians” in reference to the school’s student activities and athletic teams effective at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, and to begin phasing out the use of the “LHS Indians” logo for activities and athletics; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education will determine whether the school will adopt a new name in reference to its student activities and athletic teams, and if so, the process for selection.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 19th day of July 2021.

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RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENT FROM JULY 19, 2021, MEETING
The primary responsibility of the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education is to ensure our students are provided with the best educational experience at Lemont High School. It is imperative for our students to learn to think critically, and to be able to do so in an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

At its meeting on July 19, 2021, the Lemont High School District 210 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to discontinue the use of “Indians” in reference to its student activities and athletic teams effective at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, and to phase out the use of the “LHS Indians” logo for activities and athletics.

Below, please find information in response to questions asked during public comment at the July 19 meeting or submitted electronically to the Board of Education and/or school administrators.

TRANSPARENCY AND PROCESS
The state’s Open Meetings Act requires meeting agendas to be posted online no less than 48 hours in advance of a meeting, and meeting minutes to be posted online within 10 days of being approved. The District 210 Board of Education has exceeded these standards for years. Meeting agendas typically are posted online between four and five days in advance of meetings, and minutes are posted online within one day of being approved.

The agenda for the regularly scheduled July 19 meeting was posted the afternoon of Wednesday, July 14 - more than five days prior to the scheduled meeting.

While not required, the Board of Education took the additional step on Friday, July 16, to contact all students and their families, as well as faculty and staff, to make them aware the resolution was on the meeting agenda. Specific agenda notifications are not typically disseminated, as they already are published in advance of the meetings. 

While the school did not initiate contact with any media, school administrators issued a brief statement to media outlets that expressed interest in the story in advance of the meeting, and also accommodated the presence of media on campus before, during and after the meeting.

Every regularly scheduled meeting agenda includes multiple action items and reports. The resolution concerning the use of “Indians” was one item on the agenda, and was not the sole purpose of the July 19 meeting. The District 210 Board of Education received a variety of feedback from residents. After considering the entirety of this feedback, each member of the Board of Education voted in a way that he or she believed aligns with their responsibility in ensuring the best educational experience for all Lemont High School students. The vote on this resolution took place during the open session of the meeting, with members of the public in attendance to hear the resolution read aloud.

WHY NOW?
For years, members of the Board of Education and school administrators have received concerns from various constituencies - including students, alumni and community members - about the use of “Indians” in reference to the school’s activities and athletics.

Several factors led to the Board of Education considering, and ultimately approving, the resolution at the July 19 meeting, including:

• Acknowledgement that imagery, depictions, phrases and references considered acceptable at one time now may be considered derogatory or offensive toward a person or class of people, which may hinder a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students; 
• Proposed state legislation that, if passed, would prevent Illinois high schools from using a Native American logo or mascot or any other Native American imagery, with noncompliant schools facing the penalty of being ineligible to participate in any playoffs; and
• Utilization of a new athletic logo and phrasing such as “We Are Lemont” in the newly renovated gymnasium. The Board of Education sought to demonstrate proper fiscal management by incorporating a neutral design that would allow for flexibility without the risk of adding unnecessary costs later should Lemont High School be compelled by state legislation to remove references to “Indians.”