The Penn Hills School Board heard passionate public comment last night on a possible mascot change.
"We're Penn Hills proud. We're Indian proud," said a member of the community Wednesday evening in Penn Hills.
Fewer than 20 people showed up for the hearing and the comments were mostly mixed. "The use of the Native American mascot by Penn Hills portrays our community as ignorant," said another member at the hearing.
While a couple of students asked board members to consider a change, alumni and parents mostly wanted to keep the Indians mascot.
Superintendent Nancy Hines said the district has also received more than 50 emails also expressing opinions mixed on the matter.
No word on when, or if, the school board will act.
According to Superintendent Hines, changing of the Indians name is not a new conversation, but it gained ground in 2020.
"This is a really difficult conversation. There's a lot of emotions that can be generated. No one is trying to create an old Penn Hills vs. the new Penn Hills, or anything like that," Hines said.
Be sure to listen live and follow KDKA NewsRadio on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.
