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A bill filed in the NC General Assembly could impact public schools that use American Indian mascot names.

HighSchoolOT.com reported that Rep. Jarrod Lowery, a Republican and Lumbee Indian from Robeson County, filed House Bill 655 on Tuesday. The “Ending Offensive Indian Mascots” bill would ban public schools from using Native Americans as mascots and result in action if the changes are not made.

Chocownity Middle School — which has Indians as its mascot — is the only school in Beaufort County that could be impacted. HighSchoolOT.com reports the State Advisory Council on Indian Education points to 36 schools in the state that use Indian-themed nicknames.

If the bill passes, schools will have one year to change their nickname. Each school system’s superintendent would have the authority to make the changes if the school doesn’t. If it’s not changed after two years, the State Board of Education could come down against the superintendent.

There is no timetable for when the bill will be discussed or voted on. If it does come before a vote, it could be put into place as early as the 2025-26 school year.

A link to read the bill can be found here.

SPORTS GAMBLING TAX REVENUE COULD PAY COACHES’ SALARIES

Up to $11 million could be allocated each year by the Department of Public Instruction to provide salary supplements to coaches if a new bill is passed.

Senate Bill 657, called the “Keeping Our Coaches Act,”  was introduced Tuesday. Sen. Sophia Chitlik, a Democrat from Durham, is the sponsor of the bill. It states the money would come from sports gambling funds and would only go toward helping pay the salaries of coaches in public schools.

According to HighSchoolOT.com, which first reported on the bill, up to $3,000 could go to each coach as a salary supplement. Schools would have until Aug. 15 of each year to report to the Department of Public Instruction the amount of non-state funds used for salary supplements for coaches. Funding would not be received if a school doesn’t follow those instructions.

Schools would have to use the funding in addition to local money that is given to each coach in their salary. Any coach who is a full-time employee at a public school and receives less than $3,000 per school year would be eligible. Any leftover money from the $11 million would then go to the NC Alliance of YMCAs to support youth sports.

This bill could go into effect as early as the 2025-26 school year, depending on when and if it’s brought before a vote. You can read about the bill by going to this link.

PAM PACK SOFTBALL BLANKS BEARS

Washington’s softball team held Bear Grass Charter to two hits in a 1-0 non-conference victory on Wednesday.

Pitcher Emma Orr and the Pack (10-3) defense allowed just two hits to the Bears (10-2). Orr also struck out 10 and walked two.

Washington finished with seven hits, led by Honor Edwards (2-for-2) and Addison Miller (2-for-3, run). Miller scored the lone run on a hit by Emma Harris in the fourth inning.

NORTHSIDE GOLF PLACES 3RD

Northside’s golf team lost a tie-breaking putt situation and had to settle for third place in a meet held Thursday at Washington Yacht & Country Club.

Max Vansant had a low score for the Panthers with an 89. Landon Moore (90), Tyler Radcliffe (91) and Lawson Goltra (94) made up the foursome’s score of 364. First Flight also had a 364 but won the tie-breaker in the putt playoff.

TEACH won the meet with a 322. Asher Collie was first with a 71 score. Chris Stembridge was second with a 78 followed by Kyle Styons (81) and Maddox Knopic (89). Micah Orr also played and had a 91.

Northside’s other golfers were Jay Battershell (99), Bryce Askew (104), Dawson Rouse (110), Will Cooper (111) and Jahqwon Jones (122).