SHERBURNE – The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to adopt “Timberwolves” as the district’s new nickname during its regularly scheduled meeting April 16, 2024.

Effective immediately, “Timberwolves” will replace “Marauders” as the district’s nickname to comply with the New York State Education Department Commissioner’s Regulation Part 123, which prohibits NYS public schools from using nicknames, mascots and/or logos currently or previously associated with Indigenous peoples.

The motion, upon the recommendation of SECSD Superintendent Robert Berson, was presented to our Board of Education following new nickname submissions and voting by Sherburne-Earlville High School and Middle School students in March 2024. Student-voting results were as follows:

S-E High School: Timberwolves 48%, Wolves 41%, Wolf Pack 11%

S-E Middle School: Timberwolves 52%, Wolves 34%, Wolf Pack 14%

SECSD’s official wolf-related logos and fonts adopted during a district-wide rebranding effort in the 2021-2022 school year will remain the same, as will SECSD’s “Maroon and White” school colors.

In April 2023, NYSED determined SECSD must change its nickname because of its previous association with Indigenous mascots and/or imagery. SECSD was one of approximately 60 NYS school districts directed by NYSED to comply with Regulation Part 123 by June 30, 2025.

SECSD’s Board of Education adopted a resolution in July 2023 to commit to changing its nickname and held an open Community Forum in February 2024 to discuss the next steps, which included new nickname submissions and voting by SEMS and SEHS students in March 2024.

Nickname Change Timeline:

June 2022: The New York State Supreme Court rules that NYS public school districts may no longer use Indigenous nicknames, symbols or mascots.

April 2023: The New York State Education Department determines the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District must change its nickname – "Marauders" – because of its previous association with Indigenous mascots and imagery (NYSED Commissioner’s Regulation Part 123).

May 2023: Regulation Part 123 prohibiting NYS public schools from using names, mascots, and logos currently or previously associated with Indigenous peoples goes into effect. NYSED establishes deadline of June 30, 2025, for approximately 60 NYS school districts to comply with Regulation Part 123.

July 2023: SECSD Board of Education adopts resolution to commit to changing nickname to comply with Regulation Part 123.

February 2024: SECSD holds open Community Forum to discuss nickname change.

March 2024: S-E High School and Middle School students submit new potential nicknames and vote on three finalists. “Timberwolves” wins by majority vote in both buildings.

April 2024: Upon Superintendent’s recommendation to comply with Regulation Part 123, SECSD Board of Education carries motion, 6-0, to retire all iterations of the “Marauders” nickname, logo and mascot and to adopt “Timberwolves” as the district’s new nickname.

- Information from the SECSD