A current house bill awaits a committee decision concerning high school mascots and the termination of Native American-themed names and mascots. Nokomis School District along with more than 50 other schools in Illinois now face losing their mascot and name if the bill passes.
Scott Doerr, Superintendent for Nokomis School District says the school administration is working with sponsors to amend the language of the bill to maintain their Nokomis identity.
The Nokomis Redskins was a name that was voted on by the Nokomis School Board in 1920.
Doerr says Nokomis School District has a curriculum surrounding Illinois and Native American history, he continued by saying there are more important issues the General Assembly should be addressing.
House Bill 5617 has been assigned to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee for further approval and Doerr says the purpose of these logos and names is to remember and honor the history of the Native American culture.
Scott Doerr appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch thanks the Illinois Education Association for awarding him the Friend of Education Award for the second time. Speaker Welch is the first ever lawmaker to receive the award twice.
The District 111 School board this week filled a job that had been vacant for the past year and a half. The Daily Journal reports the board approved Kelly Gilbert as the new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Gilbert comes to Kankakee from Joliet Township High School where for the past two years she has served as Director of Student Support Services. Gilbert holds a Doctorate in education and a Masters in education Administration.