School officials vote to retain Berlin Indians mascot

BERLIN (AP) — Berlin Area School District officials have decided the high school mascot will remain the same amid criticism that it's racially insensitive.

The school board voted Monday night, January 26th to retain the Indian mascot at Berlin High School after survey results were announced. About 92 percent of more than 1,300 community members surveyed voted in favor of keeping the mascot.

One resident says the name honors a Native American tribe that no longer exists. But another resident who was in favor of the name change says the mascot exploits Native American culture and teaches children that stereotyping is acceptable.

WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/15XcMXB ) reports the debate surrounding the Berlin Indians name began in 2011 when an alumnus complained to the state.