In a meeting at Wiscasset High School Nov.22, the committee formed to examine the high school’s continued use of the term “Redskin” began the process of defining its goals. The committee is the result of an RSU 12 directive to decide the issue on a local level, a still undefined responsibility that provided the meeting’s most lively debate.
The committee is a mix of educators, students, community members, and faculty. Moderated by WHS principal Matt Carlson, the meeting essentially established basic ground rules for conduct, meeting length, potential agenda items, and most importantly a firm understanding of the sensitive nature of the issue. The biggest question the committee members had was a clear definition of their responsibility as a group.
“We need to define what, exactly, our charge is,” said Carlson.
RSU 12 Supt. Greg Potter, in attendance along with school board Chairman Thom Birmingham, told the group that he was looking for “feedback” along with a “guide” to what a decision would look like from both angles. RSU 12 school board member Kim Andersson, who made the original motion to have the decision be strictly local, said she was under the impression that the mascot committee would have the final say.
After a lengthy discussion, the issue was tabled to the next meeting so that committee members could have an opportunity to review the exact directive from the minutes of previous school board meetings. The committee, very much in its infancy, made special considerations for the sensitive subject matter of their task. One issue arose with allowing the continued input of both the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission and members of the Passamaquoddy tribe. A previous trip by WHS student council members to Pleasant Point, tribal home of the Passamaquoddy, caused some displeasure with committee member Eugene Stover.
“They made their case. I was not in favor of our students going there to hear their rhetoric or for them to come here,” he said referring to a proposed visit in December by Pleasant Point students to Wiscasset.
RSU 12 Chairman Thom Birmingham also urged the group to “drive the process” themselves and not let external influences dictate the agenda.
“With all due respect, I feel the Tribal Commission has had an opportunity to present their case to the school board,” said Birmingham.
Carlson, elected chairman of the committee by an overwhelming margin, set tentative agenda items including numerous “homework” assignments to provide anecdotal and fact based research for both sides. Wiscasset high educator Deb Pooler urged the committee to contact members of other schools who have changed or are in the process of changing their mascot.
“We should understand how they came to their conclusions and what the process was,” said Pooler.
The committee is scheduled to meet again on December 15 where a formal agenda and charter will be established. Though most committee members feel the task ahead of them is vital, according to Birmingham, a sense of urgency should not undermine the process.
“It’s going to be tough sledding for the committee and I urge you to take your time. Either way, some folks are going to be happy and some are going to be unhappy,” he said.