1-17-14 berlin indian mascot

The Berlin Area School District has renewed discussions about its Indian mascot in light of a new state law.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction originally told the district it would have to change the mascot. Superintendent Robert Eidahl says the new state law put the brakes on that change for now. The new law requires a petition to trigger a state review of a nickname instead of a single complaint.   Eidahl told WFDL news that in a small community like Berlin he's not sure how many people would sign a petition.  The new law also wipes out all previous state orders for schools to drop race-based mascots. The school board heard arguments on both sides this week, but made no immediate decision.  Those in favor of a change say the Indian logo has negative and racist overtones. Those for keeping it say it's a matter of free speech.