Vermont Supreme Court reviews 'Rebel' mascot case
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Supreme Court has heard opening arguments in a case over a school board's decision to replace the school's long-held "Rebels" mascot.
MyNBC 5 reports the South Burlington School Board voted unanimously last year to drop the rebel team name because of connections to the Confederacy. A group that opposed the name change unsuccessfully filed a petition calling for a Town Meeting Day ballot question concerning the mascot.
Paul Gillies, an attorney representing the residents, says the board is using a "protective shield" against its critics.
The district's attorney, Poetro Lynn, says the school board alone has the power to make the mascot decision.