Vermont § 568 - School branding

§ 568. School branding

• (a) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) “School” means a public school or an independent school approved under section 166 of this title. (2) “School board” means the board of directors or other governing body of an educational
  institution when referring to an independent school. (3) “School branding” means any name, symbol, or image used by a school as a mascot, nickname,
  logo, letterhead, team name, slogan, motto, or other identifier. (b) Model policy. (1) The Secretary of Education, in consultation with stakeholder groups, including the
  Vermont School Boards Association, shall develop and, from time to time, update a
  model nondiscriminatory school branding policy. The policy shall prohibit school branding
  that directly or indirectly references or stereotypes the likeness, features, symbols,
  traditions, or other characteristics that are specific to either: (A) the race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity of
  any person or group of persons; or (B) any person, group of persons, or organization associated with the repression of others. (2) The policy shall provide a process for an individual to file a complaint that an element
  of school branding is in violation of the policy. Complaints shall be determined first
  by the school board of the district and, if the individual is unsatisfied with the
  decision of the board, may be appealed to the Secretary of Education. (3) The policy shall also require school boards to review the district’s school branding
  to ensure compliance with the policy after any school branding changes or updates
  to the policy. (c) School branding policy adoption. Each school board shall develop, adopt, and ensure implementation of, and make available
  in the manner described under subdivision 563(1) of this title, a nondiscriminatory school branding policy that shall be at least as comprehensive
  as the model policy developed by the Secretary. Any school board that fails to adopt
  such a policy shall be presumed to have adopted the most current model policy published
  by the Secretary. (Added 2021, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2022.)