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BELLEFONTE -- Although it wasn't officially on the agenda, talk of the Bellefonte Red Raider logo and nickname dominated the start and finish of Tuesday night's school board meeting.
During public comment, two members of the Bellefonte community spoke in defense of the Native American image. At the conclusion of the meeting, two members of the board read prepared statements. At a special meeting last week, the board voted 8-1 to "retire" the Red Raider logo. Next week, the board will discuss and then vote on a name change.
Rose Sciabica, a longtime resident of Bellefonte, took the board to task for dropping the Red Raider logo and for considering a name change.
"I am opposed to this change. I realize that you feel that it's derogatory to the Indian ethnicity, but I feel that it is more so a sign of their bravery, loyalty and patriotism that they have had," Sciabica said. "All the years that I have attended the school district … we have never thought of anything but love and respect and honor for their culture and I was proud to be a Bellefonte Red Raider."
A complete overhaul of the school logo and nickname could cost the district anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million based on districts that have made similar changes.
"One of the things that highly concerns me being a taxpayer in the district is the fiscal responsibility to change. I checked into some of the changes of other schools that had to go through it, and the cost can go up to as much as half a million dollars. I understand that you want this to be paid by the Bellefonte residents. I feel that it should be put up to vote by all Bellefonte residents. It should not be a few that make such an important decision," Sciabica said.
Since the nickname and mascot cannot legally be put on the ballot for the primary election on Tuesday, May 18, Sciabica suggested that the district should have a "special election."
"It should be a special vote, put up at the school. People can go there to vote. I don't think it's really fair that you take a few ideas and thoughts. It's being single-minded," Sciabica said.
Another public speaker, who only identified himself as a resident of Pleasant Gap, said that he believes the mascot and nickname should not change.
"Seventy percent (of residents) are in favor of keeping the name. But we're continuing this process because a portion of the community has an issue with it. This could be a half-million to a million dollar process to change everything in the school because a few people don't like what they see," he said.
The man said that there is nothing wrong with the logo in its present form.
"If you're looking through blinders and see everything as racist, everything is going to be racist," he said. "I think of it as a very proud symbol."
As they typically do, the board did not respond to the public comments.
That was the only mention of the Red Raider logo and nickname until the waning moments of the meeting when board member Kimberly Weaver asked to address the board.
"Before I go any further, I would like to say that I truly believe we have bigger issues facing our district than a logo and name. However, not everyone on the board felt that way," Weaver said.
She said that she knew many months ago that changing the school's logo and nickname would be divisive.
"I said many meetings ago that this kind of vote will divide a community and that it has," Weaver said. "Although I support that everyone has the right to voice their opinion, I have zero tolerance for hate, bullying and name calling. I believe in our community and our school district and this needs to stop."
Then, Weaver offered a suggestion that hadn't been heard -- until now.
"For me, last week's vote has now opened the door for Bellefonte to explore an option to develop a logo that has a true representation of the Native American people and tribes that called central PA their home. If our goal is to truly honor the Native American community, then we need to develop a logo that is representative of the traditions and customs of Native Americans," Weaver said.
Board member Donna Smith also addressed the board and the public.
"Some of us went to these schools and some of us have taught here. We have dedicated our lives to this district," Smith said of the board, "and the name-calling? It really hurts. It is uncalled for. It's ugly. It's bullying. It's immature and it does not serve as a good example to our students."
She said that the board is trying to keep an "open mind" when it comes to the issue.
"If nothing, rest assured that this board has tried its level best to make the best decision based on the best information for the best reason -- our students," Smith said.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27 to vote on the future of the name Red Raiders. That meeting is closed to the public, but is available through the district's website. Those wishing to speak via Zoom need to register prior to the event.