TPS board considering policy for future mascots

The Tulsa school board discussed a new policy that would change how nicknames and mascots are chosen for future schools.

The policy states that the district will not approve any branding that is reasonably considered offensive or culturally insensitive.

Some alumni of Central and Webster high schools are concerned that their mascots might be changed.

But Tulsa school board president Susan Lamkin says those schools will keep their nicknames.

It's been 46 years since Kirby Counce graduated from Central High School, but his passion and love for the school still feel brand new.

It's important to him that the school keeps its nickname — the Braves.

"These kids deserve the opportunity to be a Brave, just like I'm a Brave. Once you're a Brave, you're always a Brave, and I'm not backing up on it," Counce said.

Counce feared a big change was coming after hearing about a policy being considered by the Tulsa Public Schools board.

It says, "The district will not adopt, approve, or assign any new school mascot names or branding elements that may reasonably be perceived as offensive, culturally insensitive, or perpetuating stereotypes."

It also states, "Human mascots are unnecessary and harmful," and "The use of human representations in school mascots or branding... is strictly prohibited in future naming or branding efforts."

Lamkin says the policy would have no effect on current schools.

"We are not proposing any name changes. The names that we have in place — the Webster Warriors and the Central Braves — will stay in place," she said.

Lamkin added that the new policy is the result of years of meetings between the district and students, parents, and tribal leaders about proper representation while preserving history.

"The only thing that will be changed and addressed is any offensive representation — images, mascot depictions — that are inappropriate and could be offensive to anyone," said Lamkin.

The policy was up for discussion at Monday night’s board meeting.

A vote on the policy will not occur until next month's meeting.

If approved, TPS says the depictions of the mascots for Webster and Central would be updated through a collaborative process.