State Sen. Fred Girod
The Oregon State Board of Education has overreached with its recent ban on Native American-themed mascots. Its ruling violates legislative authority, threatens the finances of cash-strapped schools and violates common sense.
The new policy, adopted on a 5-1 vote May 17, shoulders its way into an area of decision making that should be reserved for the State Legislature. Decisions of this sensitivity and consequence should be carefully debated and vetted by representatives of all the people, with the checks and balances of a committee process: two legislative chambers and a governor. Instead, a six-member appointed board made a decision that will have far-reaching implications for 15 Oregon schools. In my opinion, the Board of Education has overreached beyond its limits of authority.
In addition to stepping outside the proper role of their board, the members of the Board of Education have entrapped school districts with a daunting strain on their budgets, when most schools can ill-afford to be wasting money on ascetic changes.
Imagine your local high school having to strip years of tradition and school pride from its campus. That means designing and approving a new logo, repainting gym floors, lockers, hallways and murals, purchasing new uniforms and sporting equipment, and tearing down statues. All of those projects cost a significant amount of money, money that could be going towards reducing class sizes or expanding class offerings.
Is this really the most important issue facing our schools? This seems like an example of misplaced priorities and a failure of common sense. Communities with Native American mascots consider them a point of pride. There is no shame, disgrace or bigotry associated with these mascots. To the contrary, these schools consider it a matter of respect and tradition to honor these mascots and the heritage that inspires them.
The Oregon State Board of Education should step back from this issue. If it must be addressed, it should be dealt with through the proper channels, starting with the State Legislature. Ideally, this is an issue that would be left up to the discretion of local communities, who should be free to make decisions about their values and symbols as they see fit.
Fred Girod represents the 9th Senate District, which includes the Sweet Home community.