The state Education Department defended its decision to require the Massapequa School District to change its Native American name, mascot, and logo in a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Education on May 12.
The 13-page letter was in response to questions raised by the federal government about a complaint filed by the Native American Guardian Association, a group that opposes New York’s ban. The association’s complaint said the decision discriminates against Native Americans by singling them out.
“The premise of this complaint is contrary to the position taken by the federal government, tribal leaders, state governments, and professional organizations,” said Daniel Morton-Bentley, the state education department’s counsel and deputy commissioner, in the letter.
Morton-Bradley said that in 2001, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights called for the end of Native American imagery and team names by non-Native schools.
“The elimination of Native American nicknames and images as sports mascots will benefit not only Native Americans, but all Americans,” Morton-Bentley said.
The Massapequa School District, along with the Wantagh, Connetquot, and Wyandanch school districts, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s decision to bar the use of Native American mascots, team names, logos and depictions in April 2023.
Schools were originally tasked with establishing a new mascot by the end of the 2022-23 school year, but this was later changed to June 2025.
In March, a federal judge ruled in favor of the state Board of Regents and dismissed the lawsuit. Massapequa and several other districts subsequently filed notices of appeal.
President Donald Trump posted on social media his support of the Massapequa School District’s opposition to the ban.
The Massapequa School District sent a letter to Linda McMahon, the head of the U.S. Department of Education, on Monday, May 5, seeking the Trump Administration’s help in its legal battle with the state.
“While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history, and their deep connection to the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students,” McMahon said about the probe.
The district’s May 5 letter asked U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene in the Massapequa School District’s litigation.
It also asked for the U.S. Department of Education to institute federal funding cuts to the state and reallocate the money directly to school districts penalized by the state for not complying with its mascot ban.
“This approach not only restores fairness and protects local school districts from unjust financial retaliation but also serves as a critical check on New York State’s unconstitutional overreach through Part 123—affirming that federally protected rights cannot be undermined by discriminatory state policies,” the Massapequa district said in its letter.
On May 7, Massapequa submitted a second extension request to file an amended complaint in its federal lawsuit against the state education department. The district has confirmed it now has until May 19 to respond.
The Massapequa School District’s mascot is a Native American chief, including a district logo with the letter “M” adorning a headdress.
