Board Members Ousted, But Southside Mascot Change Proceeds

FORT SMITH - Even though two school board members who took part in a unanimous vote to remove controversial symbols at Southside High School lost re-election bids last week, a panel set up to choose the western Arkansas school's new mascot plans to move forward with its work this week.

Principal Wayne Haver said that even with part of the board turning over, he expects that the Southside Rebels will become a thing of history. The school band has already ditched "Dixie" for a rousing version of "The Wabash Cannonball" and the Confederate battle flag was mothballed years ago. The new panel plans to meet Monday to begin vetting new mascot ideas left in a cardboard suggestion box in the school office.

Read Full Story