From Wantagh Union Free School Dist. v. N.Y. State Bd. of Regents, decided Thursday by Second Circuit Judges John Walker, Michael Park, and Eunice Lee:
Plaintiffs-Appellants Wantagh Union Free School District, the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education, and Board member Anthony Greco appeal from the district court's April 28, 2025 judgment dismissing their challenge to Part 123 of the Regulations of the New York Commissioner of Education. Part 123 regulates the use of Indigenous names, logos, and mascots in New York public schools. Section 123.2 prohibits public schools from using or displaying such names, logos, or mascots "other than for purposes of classroom instruction." Section 123.5 requires schools to bar their officers and employees from "utilizing or promoting" them while on school property or at a school function.
The District's middle and high school sports teams have competed as the "Wantagh Warriors," using a logo of a Native American man in a headdress. To comply with Part 123, Wantagh planned to retire the logo but keep the "Warriors" name. The New York State Education Department rejected that plan, and this suit followed….
