Full Breakdown
Connetquot Central School District Found in Violation Over Mascot Change
1/26/2026, 12:17:17 AM
Core Findings of the U.S. Department of Education
The Connetquot Central School District has been determined to be in violation of civil rights law by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for its decision to change its school mascot from the "Thunderbirds" to the "T-Birds." This change was made to comply with New York state's ban on Native American mascots, which the OCR found to be discriminatory under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The OCR concluded that the district's actions constituted "race- and national-origin-based discrimination" by abandoning a name with Native American roots to adhere to a state regulation.
Background of the Mascot Ban
In 2023, the New York State Board of Regents implemented a ban on the use of Native American mascots, team names, and logos in public schools, affecting 13 districts on Long Island, including Connetquot. This regulation was developed with input from a mascot advisory council comprising representatives from Indigenous nations connected to New York State. The council aimed to eliminate the use of demeaning Indigenous names and mascots in public education. The deadline for compliance with this regulation was set for June 30, 2025.
Official Responses and Statements
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey stated, “Today, we found Connetquot Central School District in violation of Title VI for erasing its Native American heritage to comply with a discriminatory New York state regulation.” The OCR has urged the district to revert to the "Thunderbirds" name and associated imagery, emphasizing that equal treatment under the law is non-negotiable. In contrast, Connetquot schools Superintendent Joseph T. Centamore indicated that the district is reviewing the OCR's report.
JP O'Hare, spokesperson for the New York State Education Department, criticized the OCR's findings, claiming that the federal agency "continues to make a mockery of our nation’s civil rights laws." O'Hare highlighted that the state regulation was developed collaboratively with Indigenous leaders to address the issue of derogatory mascots.
Criticism and Opposition
Harry Wallace, the elected chief of the Unkechaug Indian Nation, expressed discontent over the mascot change, stating he was not consulted during the process. He suggested that the district should have created a new team name entirely, as the Thunderbird holds sacred significance in Indigenous culture. Wallace also contested the OCR's assertion that the state ban erases Native American heritage, noting that courts have upheld the state's decision.
John Kane, a member of the Mohawk tribe and part of the New York State Indigenous Mascot Advisory Council, argued that team names rooted in Native American culture do not preserve it but rather distort it.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The OCR's investigation has led to a second inquiry into the Connetquot district for its efforts to erase Native American imagery. While the OCR maintains that the state ban is discriminatory, local Indigenous leaders have defended the ban, asserting that it is a necessary step toward respecting Native American heritage. The situation remains contentious, with differing views on the implications of the mascot change and the broader impact of the state regulation.
