The public relations committee of the Cooperstown Central School board announced that a committee is forming to research the meaning of the term Redskins and ultimately decide whether the school mascot stays or goes.

The move was made in response to a letter sent to all superintendents and school board presidents of public schools in New York State by commissioner of education Richard Mills, who requested that they "lead their communities to a new understanding of this matter. I ask boards to end the use of Native American mascots as soon as practical."

At the last school board meeting on June 6, Cathe Ellsworth unveiled the district's strategy for making headway with the issue. Ellsworth and local historian Hugh MacDougall will be conducting research on the use of Native American mascots and the meaning of the term Redskins throughout the summer with the help of students.

Harry Wallace, Chief of the Unkechaug Nation on Long Island, was instrumental in removing Dartmouth College's Native American mascot while he was an undergrad there in the 1970's.

He said of such mascots, "The entire point is that to have this figure in front of you ignores the relationship of genocide in this country."

According to a list from the New York State Department of Education, there are 144 public schools in the state currently employing such mascots.

Like Cooperstown, all are affected by Mills' letter and have to engage in community discussions. Mills said that he will formally evaluate progress on the matter next year.

District superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said that once the research is completed it will be presented to a committee made up of representatives from sports booster clubs, the student council, the alumni association, student body, district citizens and perhaps a board member "to provide the link."

McPhail said this group will be given the authority to provide a timeline for the effort and to determine the best method for gathering community input. The committee, McPhail said, is still in its formative stage.

"The board is hoping that by July of 2002, the committee can come before the board with a recommendation regarding the mascot, nickname and logo," McPhail said.

She added that the district does not have a costumed mascot making appearances at games in Native American attire.

The school's logo is the Indian Hunter and his Dog, taken from a statue in the village's Lakefront Park.