To the editor:

We are incredibly disappointed in the decision and have written a letter to Education Commissioner Willie Jett to ask Commissioner Jett to clarify if any funds are available, so this burden isn’t passed onto the taxpayers or put at risk the programs and support available to students.  

The Thunderhawk name was adopted in 1995 and is the symbol of a generation of Grand Rapids graduates. A Thunderhawk, by the way, is a made-up thing. While some made connections to Chief Thunderhawk, the mascot itself is a modern image created by the school district. 

Nonetheless, this decision puts the cost of making any changes to remove the mascot – from uniforms, buildings, letterhead – solely on the school district. The school district has already approved their budget for 2023-34, so the costs for these changes either means reductions to current programs or a levy is in the future. Without an appeals process, Grand Rapids students, teachers, and staff have lost their identity overnight. And now they are stuck footing the bill.  

We are monitoring this issue and will continue to keep you informed of any response we get from Commissioner Jett.  

Sincerely,

Sen. Justin Eichorn, Rep. Ben Davis

Originally published 12/23/2023