<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430526482.png" alt="The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>Savannah will still be called the Savages, but the school's mascot imagery will be changing, starting next school year.The
 Savannah Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday night to retain the 
"Savage" nickname, but phase out the Native American imagery and 
symbolism associated with the mascot.The board also motioned to 
expand curriculum and expand its relationship with the Andrew County 
Museum and Historical Society to educate students on the history of the 
mascot, and to honor that history as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430580582.png" alt="Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>It's a decision that qualms a 10-month long debate amongst the board and community."This
 has been a long work-in-progress," outgoing school board president 
Stancy Bond said. "It's something the board has really very diligently 
tried to be thorough in our evaluation. We received a lot of criticism 
for taking so long. But in the end, I think it proved that we did our 
homework, we read through all public comment, we listened to everyone's 
concern and we made a decision. That's ultimately what we're here for - 
to make decisions for our district."Board member Dyann Duncan motioned to put the mascot issue before voters on the August ballot - a motion that Bond opposed."We
 were elected to make decisions and I think we are fully capable and 
educated," Bond said. "And I don't think that we should put this on the 
ballot."Duncan's motion failed narrowly, 4-3. Bond, 
vice-president Rebecca Bledsoe, Linda Kozminski and newly elected 
president Joseph Barbosa voted against putting the issue on the August 
ballot.Barbosa then suggested keeping the name "Savage," but 
removing the Native American imagery from uniforms, playing surfaces and
 other places on the school's campus."This debate has gone on for
 the last 10 months," Barbosa said. "Not only in our community, but 
abroad and I think we need to move toward some sort of resolution."Barbosa
 simply offered the idea up for discussion. Bond made it into a motion, 
while adding the amendment to, "expand the curriculum of course 
offerings to include Native American history, culture, genealogy and 
current events and instruct the administration to develop a relationship
 with Native American groups for educational opportunities" starting in 
the 2022-23 school year.The amendment also instructed 
administration to "expand the district relationship with the Andrew 
County Museum and Historical Society and Savannah Alumni Association 
Foundation to preserve and maintain school artifacts and history 
including Savage memorabilia.Barbosa notes this amendment was key in Tuesday's decision."The
 one thing I kept hearing from constituents," Barbosa said, "they felt 
that this was an attack on their identity. I did not want that to be the
 case. This is a moment where we preserve who we are and preserve our 
history. This preserves a big piece of our town."A mascot 
committee was formed last July to do research on the history of the 
mascot and to explore alternatives to the current name and imagery.That committee voted 4-4 last month on a mascot change, ultimately leaving the decision up to the board."I'm ready to be done," said Bond. "I think most of the community was ready for us to make a decision and move forward."There
 was no public comment at Tuesday's meeting, but 348 comments from 
community members were submitted to the board beforehand."Five of
 those were 'no change' comments," Bond revealed. "So, that means that 
340 plus were for change, and I think that was expressed through those 
comments."Bond, Barbosa, Bledsoe and Kozminski voted in favor of 
the mascot image change. Duncan, along with board members Jamin Sybert 
and Than Wagers, voted against.It's been a divisive issue since 
the beginning, but Bond is relieved to see her time as school board 
president end with such an impactful decision."It's not really 
been a fun discussion," she admitted. "Both sides are very passionate 
about their opinion and both sides make great points, but ultimately, we
 made a great compromise and that's what it's all about."The 
discussion does not end with Tuesday's vote. The estimated cost of 
phasing out all of the Native American imagery on Savannah's campus and 
uniforms could be in the neighborhood of $500,000.Bond made it clear that not a cent of that expense would come from the school district's budget."As
 we do routine maintenance, that's when we'll look at images and what 
needs to be replaced and how we go forward," Bond said. "At a decent 
pace, but fiscally responsible. So, we won't use any district money to 
replace the gym floor. We just had it replaced two years ago."There's
 a lot of work ahead for Barbosa, as he takes over as the board's new 
president. But as a lifelong area resident, Barbosa is excited to move 
forward and fully resolve the matter."It is somewhat resolved, 
but with anything in our system and anything in America, there's going 
to debate and there's going to be discussion," he said. "But, I am 
looking forward to focusing on what's best for our students."The 
next big question is - what will the new mascot imagery be? That won't 
be answered overnight, but Bond hopes that the Savannah student body has
 a big say in the decision."While this is a community issue, the 
mascot belongs to our students," she said. "So, we'd like our student 
input to be the strongest voice in that conversation."

Mo. school to retain 'Savage' name, change Native American image