FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - The longtime Fort Smith School District athletic director has resigned amid a controversy over a high school mascot’s name change.
KHBS-TV (https://bit.ly/1s6YONy ) reports that Jim Rowland submitted his resignation at a school board meeting Tuesday. He cited Southside High School’s controversial mascot change from the Rebels to the Mavericks as his reason for departing.
School board members voted to drop the mascot as well as the “Dixie” fight song last June.
Attorney Joey McCutchen is suing the school district to keep the Rebel mascot at Southside. He has also called for Rowland’s name to be removed from the high school’s football stadium.
Rowland has been a Fort Smith public school employee for more than 50 years. His resignation will take effect June 30.
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Information from: KHBS-TV, https://www.4029tv.com
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