Committee Charge and Criteria Considered

Criteria considered

This process is an opportunity for listening and dialogue to occur. The core goal of this process is to educate.

To that end, there are two key questions the committee will consider when making a recommendation regarding the initial part of this process.

What is the educational impact of our current mascot?

The committee will consider the implications on the education of our students and how our current mascot aligns with FPS' Vision of the Global Citizen.

What kind of school and community do we want to foster with respect to race and culture?

While analysis of the FHS mascot is at the center of the Board of Education's charge, the committee will examine this scenario in the broader context of culturally responsive education and active anti-racism.

Committee Charge

On July 7, 2020, the Farmington Board of Education established the Farmington High School (FHS) Ad Hoc Committee to begin a community engagement process to address the use of the current Indian mascot and the potential to move toward the selection of a new mascot for FHS.

The work of the FHS Ad Hoc will begin in September, 2020 and recommendations will be due to the Board of Education for their follow-up and possible action no later than January, 2021. The purpose of the FHS Ad Hoc committee is to engage in a community discussion, with the assistance of experts in the field, on the subjects of race, culture, and the use of Native American school mascots, symbols and names. The committee’s goal will be to advise the Board of Education regarding the impact of utilizing Native American symbols and names as school mascots, and to present a recommendation regarding the possible selection of a new mascot.

Listening respectfully to one another’s perspectives as well as experts in the field will be a focus of the FHS Ad Hoc committee’s work. It is important that the FHS Ad Hoc Committee engages in a community process to ensure the Board of Education, in collaboration with administration, make informed decisions based on a thorough and transparent community process in which all voices are heard, respected and included.

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