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Mukwonago School Board Votes to Retain Indians Nickname

Despite a state order and an appeals court ruling, the Mukwonago School Board has voted 8-1 to keep the district's nickname, Indians.

In 2010, the Legislature gave the Dept. of Public Instruction authority to force schools to drop race-based nicknames, logos and mascots, if someone in the district finds them offensive.

A resident complained about Mukwonago's nickname, so DPI ordered the district to switch to something different.

Parents sued, claiming the district had used the name 'Indians' for decades and it had become part of the community's identity. A circuit court ruled in the parents' favor and halted the DPI order. However, an appeals court later decided the parents did not have the legal right to sue the state agency.

In spite of the appeals court ruling, the Mukwonago School Board has voted to ignore the DPI's mandate.