Jamestown Public Schools will do away with its “Red Raiders” name at the high school within the next two years. 

The move is at the behest of the state Education Department that said it will indeed withhold state aid to districts that continue to use Native American imagery and names. 

Paul Abbott, school board president, said a virtual meeting was held about two weeks ago that included a handful of superintendents, including Jamestown’s Dr. Kevin Whitaker. State education officials made it clear that districts may no longer use the term “Raiders” in any nickname.

“Districts that do not comply will not receive state aid,” Abbott said during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. “They have set a timetable for these changes. So, over the next two-plus school years, we have to replace all uniforms, paint over all walls and replace any flooring or turf at the expense of local taxpayers. 

“The state is not funding any of this. And let’s be clear, state aid is taxpayer money. This isn’t a private corporation that donates money to our district.”

After the meeting, Abbott told The Post-Journal that Jamestown will have to present a plan by this June on what changes will be made; those changes will then need to be completed by June 2025. 

“So, basically, we have two school years to come up with a plan, give it for board approval and then the board approves the plan.”

Abbott estimates the cost to officially do away with all references to Red Raiders will be “tens of thousands of dollars.”

See Wednesday’s edition for complete coverage.