June 1, 2011

Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) is introducing legislation extending the compliance deadline for schools currently subject to a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) mandate to change their school mascot. The DPI has ordered Mukwonago, Kewaunee, and Osseo-Fairchild school districts to change their mascots under 2009 Act 250.

Under the legislation circulated by Lazich, school districts have until November 1, 2012 to comply with the DPI mandate.

"The legislation I am circulating relieves a burden from school districts facing a costly rebranding process. This gives school districts more time to comply with a government mandate without breaking the bank."

Lazich is also looking into legislation to reform Act 250.

"Currently, school districts are assumed guilty of discrimination and must prove innocence," Lazich said. "This is a fundamental departure from our country’s legal tradition of assumed innocence and needs to be addressed."