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More than 100 people have signed up to speak at tonight's special meeting. https://twitter.com/marley_parish/status/1387047342805635084
The meeting is scheduled to run until 11 p.m.
If there is still public comment when time runs out, the board will resume the meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. with the same Zoom link.
If there is still public comment when time runs out, the board will resume the meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. with the same Zoom link.
To do away with the "Red Raider" is cancel culture, Aaron Tyson said.
Tyson said people seem to be "easily offended."
Tyson said people seem to be "easily offended."
"If we focus less on skin color in America and instead, see people as Americans, the better off our country will be," Tyson said.
"Let's take the high road and use some common sense to come up with a compromise that will work for both sides," Tyson concluded.
Allison Aukerman: I do not agree with changing the name or colors.
Just a note: The board is not discussing changing the district colors. Members are considering removing the "Red Raider" name from Bellefonte.
Just a note: The board is not discussing changing the district colors. Members are considering removing the "Red Raider" name from Bellefonte.
Amber Leaper, a 2004 Bellefonte graduate, said she hopes her two children will hopefully graduate as "Red Raiders."
"I am a third-generation Cherokee Indian. Nobody in my family is offended by the 'Red Raider' name," Leaper said. "Everybody just wants to change everything because somebody is offended."
Adam Uadiski, a district resident, said he moved to Bellefonte in 2012. He said his son talks about how proud he is to be a "Red Raider" and he does not want to see it changed.
"If we start canceling and doing what we're doing to all these races, I think it's causing a split more than it's causing diversity and acceptance," Uadiski said.
Andrew Sharp: I believe the name should stay.
Sharp said the imagery and depiction of Native Americans were the main problems.
"Our mascot of a Native American is in the past," he added.
Sharp said the imagery and depiction of Native Americans were the main problems.
"Our mascot of a Native American is in the past," he added.
"The 'Red Raider' is not necessarily a Native American or an Indian," Sharp said.
Andrew Swales, a Benner Township resident, said he is "fully behind" keeping the 'Red Raider' name and imagery.
"I saw no issue with any of the imagery or the naming," he said.
"I saw no issue with any of the imagery or the naming," he said.
Andrew Uhring is the first speaker in favor of retiring the "Red Raider" name.
"I personally will always remember walking the halls of Bellefonte, going to football games ... nothing will ever take that stuff away from me," he said. "I'll always have those memories."
"I personally will always remember walking the halls of Bellefonte, going to football games ... nothing will ever take that stuff away from me," he said. "I'll always have those memories."
Angela Clark, a Bellefonte graduate and district parent, said it was "an honor to be a 'Red Raider.'"
Clark said the board wants to take this away after so many things have been taken away from students over the last year.
Clark said the board wants to take this away after so many things have been taken away from students over the last year.
Billie Novosel does not want change. She said being a "Red Raider" gives people a sense of pride.
"Have you actually asked the community what they want?" she said.
Note: The board has recently accepted input on this decades-long issue for the last year.
"Have you actually asked the community what they want?" she said.
Note: The board has recently accepted input on this decades-long issue for the last year.
An explanation behind the “I stand with Rachelle” comments:
Bobbi Dann: You can't change history.
"I'm not sure what the importance is to hurry up and get this done."
"You should use the money you want to spend on changing the name and your logo on education."
"I'm not sure what the importance is to hurry up and get this done."
"You should use the money you want to spend on changing the name and your logo on education."
Brenda Reichert, a Bellefonte graduate, wants to keep the name.
"First of all, why change it?" she asked.
"Why go against the majority? Just because everyone didn't vote," she said, referencing a district survey.
"First of all, why change it?" she asked.
"Why go against the majority? Just because everyone didn't vote," she said, referencing a district survey.
"There is more support for keeping the 'Red Raider" than taking it away," Reichert said.
Just a note: At the last meeting, more people who were in favor of change spoke.
Just a note: At the last meeting, more people who were in favor of change spoke.
Carla Mulford Conklin is in favor of change.
"I encourage you to think beyond this colonial past."
"I encourage you to think beyond this colonial past."
Cecilia Mazzocco, a Bellefonte sophomore, said she is in favor of change.
"I'm still a kid. I shouldn't have to be here today, explaining to adults, why the name we choose to represent our school is offensive to indigenous people."
"I'm still a kid. I shouldn't have to be here today, explaining to adults, why the name we choose to represent our school is offensive to indigenous people."
Mazzocco asked the board to think about what's best for the students.
"We do not accept the premise that a decision made nearly 100 years ago is representative of a decision that should be made today."
"We do not accept the premise that a decision made nearly 100 years ago is representative of a decision that should be made today."
Cecilia Stanton, a Bellefonte sophomore: "This can be a positive change for all students and members of the community."
She is the fourth speaker (out of 14 total) to support retiring the "Red Raider" name.
She is the fourth speaker (out of 14 total) to support retiring the "Red Raider" name.
Chad Dubin, a district parent, said that he is 100% opposed to the time and expense needed to retire the "Red Raider."
Dubin said changing the name will not stop hate.
"The bottom line is that our families teach us to hate, and it's unfortunate and sad, but our home is where kids will start to learn how to hate other people."
"The bottom line is that our families teach us to hate, and it's unfortunate and sad, but our home is where kids will start to learn how to hate other people."
Chad Haagen said that when he thinks of a "Red Raider," he thinks: Pride, unity and history.
"The 'Red Raider' is the one thing that brings us, as a community, together," he said.
"The 'Red Raider' is the one thing that brings us, as a community, together," he said.
Chris Litten is against change.
1. How much is change going to cost?
2. Where would the money be coming from?
1. How much is change going to cost?
2. Where would the money be coming from?
"I'll take silence as you guys do not know," Litten said.
Reminder: This is public comment, not a Q&A.
Reminder: This is public comment, not a Q&A.
Cindi Brininger: I find it hard to accept that 88% of the students voting to keep the "Red Raider" isn't enough.
"If we're trying to please the minority, I don't think that's a good idea."
For additional context: Bellefonte is a predominantly white school district.
"If we're trying to please the minority, I don't think that's a good idea."
For additional context: Bellefonte is a predominantly white school district.
"You will have to live with the shame for the rest of your lives if you choose to eliminate them," Cindy Galbraith said.
"Bandit, pillager, marauder, thief, robber, plunderer, looter, rifler, assaulter — are these words that we want to have associated with the school district?"
"Certainly, we can come up with something better than raider," Darryl Davies said.
"Certainly, we can come up with something better than raider," Darryl Davies said.
Darrell Sharp said change would be cancel culture. He added that the district is not taking into account the feelings of those who do not want to see change.
"Stop creating problems where none exist," Sharp said.
David Schaub suggested the district "slowly" replace Native American imagery, keep the "Red Raider" name and still use the main "B" logo to distinguish the district.
He noted the gymnasium would need a complete makeover.
He noted the gymnasium would need a complete makeover.
Two weeks ago, the board voted to retire Native American imagery used in the district within one year, excluding things that would require costly maintenance.
Doug Grove, who is against change, has asked to pause his public comment so he can pull over to read his prepared remarks.
"It can't be done this way anymore," Eddie Fitzgerald said.
"The ship has sailed. It's over. This is not about cancellation. I said it last time. It's about progression."
"The ship has sailed. It's over. This is not about cancellation. I said it last time. It's about progression."
Erin Hetzel thinks the district should keep the "Red Raider" name and teach students about Native American history.
"How come it's OK to portray others of a different ethnic and diverse background, but it's not OK for us to honor Native Americans," Hetzel said.
"Are you willing to throw away your own history and achievements?"
"Are you willing to throw away your own history and achievements?"
"My daughter matters more than this debate," Hetzel said, adding that the district should invest in education.
"No one ever chooses a name or a logo that they do not respect," Garo Goodrow said.
Grove is back and said he is safely pulled over by the side of the road.
"To systematically dismantle and take away these names is to effectively deny that this history ever existed."
"To systematically dismantle and take away these names is to effectively deny that this history ever existed."
Hannah Coslo, a Bellefonte student: I am embarrassed in the name.
"I can't imagine having to explain that to people why we came around a name that perpetuates stereotypes toward minorities, and I just can't begin to think why we would keep it around," Coslo said.
A little over an hour into tonight's meeting, and we've had 30 speakers so far.
In favor of retiring the name: 8
Against retiring the name: 22
In favor of retiring the name: 8
Against retiring the name: 22
"Whatever happened to the days of healthy, productive discussion?" Heather Bean asked.
She added that the "Red Raider" name and logo are not hurting the community.
Again, Bellefonte is a predominantly white school district and area.
She added that the "Red Raider" name and logo are not hurting the community.
Again, Bellefonte is a predominantly white school district and area.
"How do you want to feel about the decision you make today, despite some community pressures?" Hester Blum said. "What vision do you want to carry forward?"
Blum is in favor of retiring the "Red Raider" name.
Blum is in favor of retiring the "Red Raider" name.
Holly Hopkins, speaking on behalf of her 10-year-old daughter, said her child takes pride in wearing red and does not associate racist beliefs with the "Red Raider."
Instead, she thinks it's a "winner."
Instead, she thinks it's a "winner."
Hopkins added that her daughter does not want to be a "trout," whether it was a joke or not.
Hope Tressler wants a compromise.
"I am going to jump right off by saying that I would like to talk about money. For so many, that money is really the main part for what's got our attention, I would say."
"I am going to jump right off by saying that I would like to talk about money. For so many, that money is really the main part for what's got our attention, I would say."
She added that the district should use this as an opportunity to educate kids on Native American history.
Andrea Royer and Jack Bechdel, who are both running for school board, signed up to speak.
Neither responded when it was their turn.
Neither responded when it was their turn.
In the "Keep the Bellefonte Logo," Facebook page, Royer said she was kicked out of the meeting and is waiting to speak.
Her name was just called, and she did not respond for public comment.
Her name was just called, and she did not respond for public comment.
Friendly reminder: The district has not announced alternative name/logo suggestions if change were to occur, so the "Brown Trout" is not a concrete plan.
Jim Pringle: "The timing of this seems really weird. Did you fix everything else? Was this at the bottom of your list?"
Pringle asked the board to "represent and not dictate."
Pringle asked the board to "represent and not dictate."
John Elnitski: "I believe it will help heal the community by keeping that name."
"I think people are wrong when they say that 'Raider' means Indian. You can define 'Raider' however you want to moving forward."
"I think people are wrong when they say that 'Raider' means Indian. You can define 'Raider' however you want to moving forward."
