Local School Welcomes New Mascot Amid New York State Directive

The Sherburne-Earlville Marauders are no more. Please welcome the S-E Timberwolves!

The Board of Education for the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District unanimously passed a motion on April 16, 2024, to officially adopt "Timberwolves" as the district's new nickname during its regular meeting.

Effective immediately, the district's nickname will transition from "Marauders" to "Timberwolves" in accordance with New York State Education Department Commissioner’s Regulation Part 123. This regulation prohibits the use of nicknames, mascots, and logos associated with indigenous peoples by NYS public schools.

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The decision was made based on a recommendation by SECSD Superintendent Robert Berson. It follows a process involving student submissions and voting at Sherburne-Earlville High School and Middle School in March 2024.

Student voting results for the new name were as follows:
-S-E High School: Timberwolves 48%, Wolves 41%, Wolf Pack 11%
-S-E Middle School: Timberwolves 52%, Wolves 34%, Wolf Pack 14%

The official wolf-themed logos and fonts that were adopted district-wide as part of a rebranding initiative in the 2021-2022 school year will be retained. Additionally, the school colors of "Maroon and White" for SECSD will remain unchanged.

"The Department received several comments supporting the proposed regulatory change from organizations including the Shinnecock Indian Nation, Oneida Indian Nation, and Washington County Democratic Committee.  The Department also received supportive comments from residents of school districts throughout New York State.  These included residents of the Cambridge Central School District, who spoke to the personal and social toll wrought by the mascot debate and expressed their hope that no more school districts experience such vitriol and division.  Additionally, multiple residents of the Mahopac Central School District expressed their support for the proposed regulation" - New York State Education Department