Guest Letter: An Letter to the Indianola School Board
- Apr 1, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 23, 2025
Written by Deb Schiel-Larson
This is a letter to the Indianola school board regarding their use of Native mascots/imagery. It was shared with Great Plains Action Society by Indianola community member Deb Schiel-Larson. We at GPAS are incredibly grateful for the work folks are doing and welcome your letters. It is important and we appreciate it! Please feel free to share your letters with us, email to jengelking@greatplainsaction.org
Dear Dr. Sathoff and members of the Indianola School Board; Thank you for your hard work. Congratulations to both Art Sathoff and Ted Ihns. As agreed last year, prior to the November elections, we believe it is now time to continue the discussion regarding whether to remove or keep the Indianola “Indians.” We would like to suggest that a planning committee be formed now that would report to the Superintendent and School Board, consisting of interested school board members, students and community members who equally represent all sides of the discussion. Here are proposed committee goals: 1. Information needed: Clarify the information that the School Board and the Community would like to review in this discussion and identify where to obtain it. 2. Topics and Speakers: Identify proposed topics and speakers for the forums, including individuals outside our community and our state. 3. Schedule: Propose dates and times for the forums, with the first one prior to the end of the current 2021-2022 school year to prioritize student participation. 4. Location: Establish a location for the forums that could include Zoom presentations, since some speakers will not be able to travel. 5. Moderator: Invite a moderator for the forums who would work to maintain a welcoming and safe space for discussions. 6. Decision-Making Framework: Establish the criteria to be used for decision-making regarding whether to remove or keep the Indianola “Indians” that includes the Indianola School District’s (ICSD) Vision, Mission and Beliefs as follows: The ICSD’s Vision: Proud Traditions . . Unlimited Possibilities The ICSD’s Mission: Indianola CSD is Committed to Excellence and Achieving a Lifetime of Success The ICSD’s Beliefs: We will put students first. We will meet the needs of all students so that they can learn at high levels and be prepared for next steps along the way. We will provide safe and supportive schools. We will be fiscally responsible and thoughtful about resource allocation. Our actions will reflect our beliefs. I’d like to personally volunteer and participate in this planning committee. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Deb Schiel-Larson Indianola, IA
This letter encourages respectful dialogue, community participation, and thoughtful decision-making on an important local issue. Bringing together different perspectives in an open and constructive way can help create solutions that reflect shared values. While reading, I also thought of Tu Chance Hoy, but the central message is the importance of inclusive discussion and community engagement.
What stood out to me in the letter was the focus on how decisions made by a school board can have effects that reach far beyond a single meeting or policy discussion. The concern expressed about representation and the broader impact on students and families gave the piece a very personal tone, which made it feel less like a political statement and more like a community conversation. I found myself wondering how members of the community with different viewpoints have responded since the letter was published, and whether it has led to more dialogue. Reading about the responsibilities schools carry also highlights how many different areas they have to consider at once, from educational priorities to student wellbeing and practical…
Reading Deb's detailed six-point proposal for the planning committee, especially setting the first forum before the school year ends, reminds me of how complex community decisions can be, almost like strategizing in a tower defense game where every placement matters.
This letter by Deb Schiel-Larson is a thoughtful and well-structured call to action, and it deserves serious attention from the Indianola School Board. The proposed planning committee framework — covering information gathering, diverse speakers, scheduling, and a clear decision-making structure — demonstrates exactly the kind of inclusive, community-driven approach that sensitive discussions like this require. The use of Native mascots in schools has long been documented as harmful to Indigenous students' sense of identity and belonging, and it's encouraging to see community members stepping up with constructive solutions rather than simply opposing the status quo. This kind of civic engagement reminds me of work done in education reform broadly — even in fields like TEFL assignment help, educators are increasingly…
This open letter raises crucial points about the importance of inclusivity and addressing the needs of all students in the educational system. It’s powerful to see individuals standing up for equity and advocating for change in such an impactful way. The letter reflects the deep responsibility school boards have in fostering a safe and supportive environment for every student. It’s a reminder that listening to diverse voices is key to making meaningful progress, not only in education but also in broader societal issues. This sense of responsibility and commitment to improvement is something we can all take to heart, much like students striving for academic excellence, often seeking the best assignment help UK to ensure their success and make a…