Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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NEW YORK - Phoenicia, NY pharmacist Martin Millman, President of the Onteora School Board unexpectedly expedited the vote on the unprecedented revocation of the Onteora School District's anti-discrimination policy from the publicized date of September 25 to September 11, 2000 in what can only be described as an effort to avoid public participation.

Expediting the vote was made without explanation and came at a time when negotiations between community groups supporting and opposing the districts use of native based mascots and the anti discrimination policy were on the verge of reaching agreement.

Concerns relating to the use of native based mascots and their role in creating and perpetuating racially hostile environments have been before New York Education Commissioner Mills for almost five years. To date the New York Commissioner of Education and the New York Board of Regents have taken no action to address complaints concerning native based mascots and their role in the existence of racially hostile environments.

There is concern that the Commissioner's failure to address concerns related to the use of native based mascots and the creation and/or perpetuation of racially hostile environments will result in legal challenges to Federal funding of New York's education system as violative of Federal non discrimination requirements applicable to all entities receiving Federal funding.

If successful, the Onteora School District will be the first entity in the United States or Canada to enact and later repeal an anti-racial discrimination policy.