A lengthy discussion was held during the Tecumseh School Board meeting Monday, Feb. 13, regarding the school mascot.
Victor Cope said it had been two years since he brought the request “to explore the possibility of changing the name Savages.”
Cope presented a packet to each board member with information regarding why he does not like the word Savage. It began with definitions from Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary and included some of the following: Used as an adjective, the word is defined as:
• not domesticated or under human control: Untamed
• lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings: Fierce, Ferocious; Wild, Uncultivated Used as a noun, includes descriptions such as:
• a brutal person
• a rude or unmannerly person And when used as a verb (savaged or savaging):
• to attack or treat brutally.
Cope presented some research information on the namesake of the town and school. His notes read, in the Shawnee language the word Tecumseh can be translated “a comet crossing the sky” or “a panther crossing the sky.”
Another sheet included information explaining who Tecumseh was, a Native American hero who fought for the freedom and protection of all endangered tribes.
Cope explained that he was a Tecumseh graduate, a Tecumseh Savage from 1966-1970. He said, “I was enlightened by Professor Clark, who taught in Los Angles during the Watts riots. He taught us about the power and negativity of words.
“Black Lives Matter changed many things that had racial connotations,” said the notes prepared by Cope for the board. “School districts, universities, and towns have removed racially hurtful names. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is removing statues of Civil War Generals. Professional Sports teams have also removed derogatory racial names. Political correctness is happening all over America and around the world.”
Cope made several suggestions for a new mascot which included Panthers, Comets, Freedom Fighters, Protectors, and Terminators.
Cope said, “I am not your enemy. I graduated in 1970 from Tecumseh Public Schools. I am proud of my school. My daughters’ borth graduated from Tecumseh High School. And I remain a strong supporter of Tecumseh Public Schools. I ask the Tecumseh Board of Education to remove the word Savages from our school district. The word is hurtful to those of us that are Native American and Shawnee.”
Cope said 43 percent of the student body in Tecumseh is Native American. “Do we hold on to a word that is politically incorrect for the sake of tradition? In my estimation; personally, the word is racist.”
Cope then introduced Spencer Cody to the board. Cody spoke to the board in his regalia. He told a story of hard times and racist comments that still haunt him. He said the word Savage reminds him of the racist comments in the past.
Cody finished his time with a prayer in his native tongue.
Board member Todd Kennedy then spoke up. “I am actually a very, very proud, Native American,” said Kennedy.
He addressed Cody and Cope, stating that he understands there are people who also want the name changed, but there are also “people on the other side of it, that is 100 percent behind” keeping the Savage mascot.
Kennedy suggested that the men take the message they relayed to the board and “get these people to embrace the value of being Native Americans. Let’s see the past, tell those types of stories that you just told, and get people to buy into the value of being Native, so to speak. What I’m saying is there is a positive message to everything you guys just said, illustrated, and what you stand for.”
He also said he would be the first one to stand up in favor of keeping the Savage mascot.
There was more discussion following this, but since it was not an action item on the agenda, no decisions were made.
The board approved an out-of-state travel request for Barnard’s First LEGO team to attend a competition in Houston, TX. Superintendent Robert Kinsey said the team was asked to represent Oklahoma at an international competition in the spring. Ms. Finch said this is the sixth year for the LEGO team. The team will be accompanied by parents and one additional teacher.
Courtney, with Kerry John Patten, CPA, presented the yearly school audit report. Upon completion, she said the leadership does a good job. Kinsey said a special thank you to all who oversee the accounts. “They do a phenomenal job in making sure that we are following our processes and that we account for every penny that’s given to us.”
The board accepted the audit.
The board approved the hiring of Joseph Sanson, Nickie Saunders, Blaine Atchley, Christina Pahukoa, and Charlene McConathy for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.
The board also approved the hiring of Brandi Burks as Assistant Superintendent and J. Lowden as Special Services Director for the 2023-2024 school year.
