DRIGGS — On Tuesday, July 16 the Teton School District School Board voted 4-1 to retire the Teton High School’s mascot name, the Redskins.
On June 26 tribal representatives were invited to Teton High School to speak on the issue, sharing their Native American perspective and explaining why the Redskins name was offensive.
Randy’L Teton, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Public Affairs manager, was one of the panelists. She commented to the Idaho Statesman in a text message, “We are very pleased that the school board listened to the tribes in removing the Redskins name.”
She said several of the Fort Hall Business Council is currently on travel and they will meet later to discuss the issue further, in regards to releasing an official statement.
During Tuesday’s meeting, according to Teton School District Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme he estimated it would cost about $30,000 to replace the mascot. Due to disagreement within the community on the mascot name change the School Board will not use taxpayer money to go towards the removal.
Further plans to proceed with the process will be discussed at a meeting on July 30 at 6 p.m. at Driggs Elementary.