Shenendehowa Central School District administrators presented a draft process to select a new high‑school mascot and logo after state guidance required removal of Plainsman imagery.

The proposed plan, presented by athletic directors and staff, calls for forming a representative mascot committee that includes students, parents (including booster‑club representatives), faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and board members. "We want everyone to feel they have a voice," the athletic director said, describing the committee’s role as collecting and processing stakeholder input and producing a board recommendation.

The committee would gather input through a districtwide survey and targeted focus groups (students, parents, staff, alumni). Board members and administrators stressed that the committee must research New York State Education Department (NYSED) guidance and consult district legal counsel early so selections avoid prohibited imagery. One board member asked whether NYSED would re‑review designs; presenters said they would engage NYSED and legal counsel before finalizing options.

Using the collected input, the committee would narrow suggestions to two or three options. Presenters proposed involving students and classes in generating mockups to give voters concrete images to evaluate. The draft timeline would allow the committee to meet over winter and spring, present final options for a community vote in late spring, and forward the board‑recommended selection for approval before contracting a professional vendor to finalize the mark and branding.

Officials noted some costs are inevitable — vendor work, initial rollout and trademarking — but said much of the transition could be phased into routine replacement cycles for uniforms, signage and facilities so the budget impact is spread over time. "A small start‑up investment with phased replacements over several years makes this fiscally responsible," a presenter said.

Presenters recommended aiming for a fall unveiling tied to homecoming if the board approves the plan, and flagged legal and trademark checks and communications planning as early priorities. Board members praised the student‑driven and representative approach and urged clear guidance and transparency to avoid the perception of bias in committee work.

Provenance: topicintro block_224 (tc 00:48:08) — presenters overview; topfinish block_320 (tc 01:06:07) — board questions and next steps.