Council hears push to enforce school mascot and logo policy

AGAWAM --

HIGH SCHOOL -- At the Oct. 19 City Council meeting, several residents spoke during citizen speak time urging support for resolution TR-2026-65, which calls on the school district to comply with Policy AB-1, a measure the school committee adopted 5-0 on June 27, 2017. Speakers said the policy requires that any proposed changes to district traditions, logos, uniforms or other identifying materials be brought to the elected school committee for public review before being enacted.

Resident Denis Dorshenko told the council that "when changes to uniforms, logos, or branding are made without following policy AB-1, it bypasses the public and sidesteps the elected officials chosen to oversee our schools." Resident Tom Gianfrido urged the council to "continue standing firmly behind our historic name and mascot," calling it "a tribute of respect, not division." Resident Brian Bacchus said the resolution "simply closes the side door" by reaffirming that decisions about the schools' identity should go through "an open public meeting, a recorded vote, and elected officials accountable for it."

None of the speakers specified exactly what logo, uniform or branding changes had already taken place. The council's discussion of TR-2026-65, along with a separate resolution on state Chapter 90 road funding, was continued as the meeting proceeded; the council had not yet voted on either measure in the portion of the transcript provided.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.