The Rochester School Board posted the minutes of the Jan. 18 Policy Committee meeting during which they discussed adopting a "graphic identity policy" similar to the one currently used by the University of Massachusetts.
Excerpt from minutes:
[School Board Chair] Mrs. [Nancy] Warren reviewed the graphic identity policy that the UMASS Amherst has in place. It was suggested that policy similar to this be drafted for the use of the Red Raider symbol. [School Superintendent] Mr. [Michael] Hopkins will bring that draft to the next Policy Committee [Feb. 15]. [Spaulding High School Athletic Director] Mr. [David] Colson will have a listing of the current locations and uses of the symbol for the next Policy Committee. Mr. Hopkins is still seeking students and faculty to review and study this issue.
The "Red Raiders" logo, subject of Rochester's proposed policy:
The Rochester School Board has been discussing developing this logo display policy since September. As many in this group know, I've been working with Rochester for a year now. It seems that the officials in town have lost sight of the real issue here and instead of eliminating this grotesque image and offensive nickname, in place since 1950, they have chosen to address the 'respectful display' of the logo. This image's mere existence is offensive to anyone of conscience with a modicum of intelligence. A majority of the school board feels the nickname and logo are fine just the way they are, despite the call from the N.H. State Board of Education to eliminate these nicknames and logos in 2002.