In a significant development, Clairemont High School may become the first in San Diego Unified School District to change its mascot under new naming procedures, prompted by state legislation that bans certain Native American-related names.
Currently known as the Chieftains, the mascot is specifically mentioned in the new law, which prohibits the use of certain derogatory terms in school mascots, names, or nicknames effective July 2026.
San Diego Unified Board President, Cody Petterson, affirmed the law’s implications, stating, “It’s literally one of the names listed as prohibited.”
In a letter to the district last month, the Indian Education Program emphasized the need for a change, noting that the Chieftains mascot had fueled anti-Indigenous racism through its stereotypical imagery and portrayal.
To overhaul its naming processes, the district is set to approve proposed new rules aimed at ensuring compliance with state transparency laws, which were spotlighted after the contentious renaming of Henry Clay Elementary last year.
The proposed regulations delineate acceptable categories for namesakes for schools and facilities, suggesting names of individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to the school community, contributions of broader significance, or geographical names related to the area.
Further, the new policy emphasizes a community-driven process. The initial proposal for naming must come from a naming committee comprised of educators, students, and community members.
This committee will include up to ten members: a district employee knowledgeable in equity, the board member serving the school, a supportive district administrator, two student ambassadors, two community representatives, the principal, and two staff members from the school.
Before launching any name change effort, schools and their communities must consider various factors, including costs and guiding principles encompassing equity, belonging, and community empowerment.
Moreover, any proposal for changing a name must articulate the rationale behind the change. The schools will need to engage their communities through an electronic survey or a paper signature collection, supplemented by at least two public hearings to discuss the potential new names.
The proposed regulations stipulate that survey participants must reside within district boundaries to ensure participation validity, aiming for at least 10% involvement from local community members associated with the school.
During public hearings, essential timelines and procedural steps will be displayed, and survey data, anonymized, must be shared with attendees. Furthermore, names and addresses of attendees will be collected to ensure the participation threshold is achieved.
Following the public engagement, the naming committee is tasked with reviewing community input along with all pertinent information to recommend a new name to the district board.
The board will only consider the name proposed by the committee; if the recommendation is not approved, the school will need to re-engage the community for further input.
According to the proposed guidelines, the district will handle only one renaming issue per school year, streamlining the process and facilitating thorough community engagement.
Principal Karly Johnstone shared that discussions regarding a mascot change have been ongoing, including among students, since she joined Clairemont High three years ago.
“There was definitely some interest in considering a change even before the Assembly bill was passed,” she remarked.
AB 3074, the legislation enacted last year, specifically identifies numerous terms as derogatory, including Chieftains and other Native American-related names, mandating changes by public schools, with tribal schools being exempt.
While some community members may view the current mascot as part of the school’s culture, Johnstone expressed empathy for those affected by the change.
“We can understand that this is a change that could be upsetting for some of them, and we’ll be there to listen,” she stated, acknowledging the significance of respecting local tribes and encouraging an atmosphere of collaboration.
Board member Sabrina Bazzo, representing the area including Clairemont High, hadn’t previously received complaints regarding the mascot but was aware of ongoing discussions about it.
She emphasized the importance of student involvement in the renaming process. “We want to do it right,” she asserted, ensuring that student voices are integral to the decision-making process.
Reiterating this sentiment, Johnstone reinforced the gravity of the decision. “It’s a decision that we will not take lightly,” she emphasized. “We are just going to take our time to ensure that we’ve considered many different things, to ensure that we make a decision that represents our school well.”
The district’s revamped naming procedures arise in response to criticisms regarding the prior lack of transparency during the renaming of Henry Clay Elementary. Ultimately renamed for educational leader Bertha Pendleton, the previous process faced backlash over the obscured details about the renaming committee and its meetings.
Amid inquiries concerning the committee’s secrecy, a district spokesperson previously noted that it functioned as a “staff-level advisory committee” under the superintendent, which raised questions about its transparency under the Brown Act, the law governing public bodies in California.
This controversy prompted trustee Sharon Whitehurst-Payne to advocate for greater openness, highlighting the need for a clear process to sidestep potential violations of the Brown Act.
image source from：https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/04/27/san-diego-unified-could-overhaul-how-it-renames-schools-and-mascots-to-some-the-effort-is-overdue/
