‘Chiefs’ Logo, Name Will Stay, Caldwell-West Caldwell BOE Says

CALDWELLS, NJ — Despite pleas from some community members and local students, the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public School District will not be changing its “Chiefs” logo and name, officials announced Monday.

Speaking during the Board of Education’s meeting, President Marie Lanfrank said the name and logo will stay as they are.

Board members had discussed a potential change, ultimately deciding against it, Lanfrank said.

In July, a group of students and alums at James Caldwell High School asked administrators to swap out the school's Native American-themed mascot, which they claimed was racist. However, other residents supported the logo and name, which was created to honor the legacy of Harris E. Bonnel, a former football, basketball and baseball coach at JCHS.

Bonnel got the nickname "Chief" from a Native American community leader during a high school assembly for his efforts to educate students on the experiences of Indigenous people.

• See related article: Caldwell Students Call School Mascot 'Racist'

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