Education Policy and Civil Rights

Federal civil-rights officials concluded that Connetquot Central School District’s change from the “Thunderbirds” mascot to “T‑Birds” violated Title VI and offered a resolution agreement requiring the district to restore the “Thunderbirds” name, with Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey saying “equal treatment under the law is non‑negotiable.” The district says it is reviewing the OCR report but has not committed to the terms; OCR separately found New York’s statewide ban on Native American mascots violates federal civil‑rights law, a determination tied to broader litigation by groups such as NAGA (including the Massapequa “Chiefs” case) and prompting federal officials to threaten withholding funds unless bans are reversed.