Vermont Statutes
Chapter 9 - School Districts
§ 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.)

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