Paw Paw Public Schools

Paw Paw Public Schools (PPPS) is a school district headquartered in Paw Paw, Michigan.

It was established in 1870. As of 2017^[update] it has 2,300 students.

The district was recently divided in the continued use of the Paw Paw Redskins name and logo. The issue is a divisive one in Michigan, where dozens of schools use Native American imagery, and around the country. Supporters argue the Native American mascots as a source of pride and heritage. The district logo is that of a proud, Native American chief. The district discontinued the use of a "mascot" (a person dressed in costume) in the 1990's, however still uses the Redskin name to represent its logo. The "Redskin" name is associated with is a European term that referred to the fact that Native Americans indigenous to the area painted their faces red. Most of the few Native American students in the district approve of the continued use the Paw Paw Redskins name and logo. Some members of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi criticized the use of the term "Redskin", while the Native Americans Guardians Association expressed approval. However, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians continues to support the Dowagiac Chieftans name and logo. The logo was designed by a Chief of the tribe. This vantage point is different yet from the "Not Your Mascot Group" who thinks that any use of a Native American name or logo to represent a school is wrong. The district decided to hold meetings on whether to keep the mascot in January 2017. In February 2017 the district board of trustees voted 4-3 to keep the mascot; the matter may only be reconsidered if the district finds federal funding reduced due to the use of the mascot. The state can’t withhold school funding as punishment to districts that use Native American mascots or logos for their schools, believes Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Last February, the State Superintendent asked Schuette to weigh in on the issue. This belief stems from the request of state school Superintendent Brian Whiston, who suggested in the spring of 2017 that the school withhold anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of a district’s state aid payment as a fine for failure to remove Native American mascots. Bill DiSessa is with the Michigan Department of Education. He said the Superintendent considered the penalty after multiple Michigan tribes raised concerns. “The State Superintendent still encourages school districts that have Native American mascots and logos to use resources available in Michigan’s Native American Heritage Fund to defray the costs of changing their school mascot,” he said. As part of a new agreement with the state, schools that want to change their mascots can apply for money from the Native American Heritage Fund. That can be used to defray costs of swapping mascots like new uniforms, signage, and letterhead. The Paw Paw Public Schools district maintains the use the use the Redskins name and logo. http://michiganradio.org/post/attorney-general-says-no-keeping-money-schools-native-american-mascots

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