House Bill 655 would prohibit public schools in North Carolina from using American Indian mascots. It directs the State Advisory Council on Indian Education to include in its annual report a definition of what counts as an American Indian mascot and a list of public schools using one. The State Board of Education would then review those findings, decide whether it agrees, and, if so, notify the affected school unit and require the mascot to be changed to a non-American Indian mascot within two years.
The bill also gives school administrators authority and responsibility to carry out mascot changes. For traditional public school units, the superintendent must ensure compliance, may allow local authorities one year to begin the change process, and may select a new mascot if no action is taken. For charter schools, the school itself must change the mascot within two years of notice. The bill includes enforcement mechanisms tied to state funding: if a superintendent or charter school is found to have willfully failed to comply, salary-related state funds for the superintendent or a per-pupil equivalent amount for the charter school may be withheld until compliance is achieved.
Impact
The bill would add new duties to G.S. 115C-210.4, G.S. 115C-12, G.S. 115C-276, and G.S. 115C-218.75, creating a statewide process for identifying and eliminating American Indian mascots in public schools and charter schools. It would require reporting, review, notice, deadlines for replacement, and financial penalties for noncompliance. The act would take effect when it becomes law and apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, affecting public school units, charter schools, superintendents, the State Board of Education, the State Advisory Council on Indian Education, and the Department of Public Instruction.
Sentiment
Based on the bill title and structure, the measure appears to be motivated by concern over offensive or culturally insensitive mascots and to have a reform-oriented purpose. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from hearings or floor action. The bill text itself suggests a strong policy preference for eliminating such mascots rather than allowing local discretion.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely whether the State should mandate mascot changes and impose penalties, versus leaving mascot decisions to local school communities. Another likely issue is how broadly an "American Indian mascot" would be defined and who would decide whether a school mascot falls within that category, since the State Advisory Council on Indian Education proposes the definition but the State Board makes the final concurrence decision. Potential opposition may also focus on the funding penalties, the superintendent authority to rename a mascot, and the two-year compliance timeline.