BELDING, MI - The new mascot for Belding Area Schools will be the "Belding Black Knights," replacing the controversial Redskins dropped by the school board in December, officials said Friday, March 3.

About 4,000 students and community members responded to a February survey, selecting the Black Knights from medieval times over the Bruins or Bengals, according to Belding High School Principal Michael Ostrander. The former mascot was deemed by many offensive to American Indians.

"As Belding Area Schools moves into a bold new tradition and identity, it is easy to see how the characteristics of the Black Knight fit the ideals held in high regard by our students and community," said Ostrander in today's announcement.

In medieval times, he said, knights lived by a code of chivalry, honor, loyalty and courage. He said the combined traits of medieval knights and the Black Knights of stories long-told illustrate qualities that people young and old would aspire to reach today.

In the coming weeks, Ostrander said, the district will be working with local and national artists on a design for the new mascot but the colors will remain orange and black. The school board will vote on the new mascot at its Monday, March 20, meeting.

A student mascot committee of 25 members, representing students in kindergarten through 12th grade, has been guiding the discussion since the board dropped the old mascot with input from community representatives.

"What I am most proud of is our students have not let this distract them from getting their education," Ostrander said. "They have been very thoughtful and open-minded. Our kids, in many cases, have set a tone for how you go through a process and not let it become divisive."

The new mascot, the overwhelming choice of students, was announced at district buildings Friday. The assembly at the high school was described as "high energy.''

Ostrander said he thinks the new mascot rejuvenates school spirit, and does not diminishes it as some feared. It creates a bold new energy for their students, he said.

Over the years, the district had phased out its Redskins mascot and focused more on the Old English "B" for Belding. However, parents last spring called for an up or down vote, which began the lengthy process of meetings and community forums that led to the unanimous vote for change in the district of 1,790 students.

School districts in Michigan and across the country are abandoning or debating replacement of race-based mascots, logos or nicknames. Paw Paw Public Schools was the latest to weigh in on the contentious issue.

In a 4-3 vote in February, the school board voted to keep the Redskins mascot before an audience of 200. Previous meetings on the issue have drawn even larger audiences, divided on the issue.

Ostrander said the reign of the Belding Black Knights is set to begin with the 2017-18 school year.

Superintendent Brent Noskey said the district does not anticipate spending any general funds for the change. Instead, the change will be funded through grants received from a new American Indian fund. He said the costs have not been finalized.

Schools with American Indian mascots learned in January they could receive funds to change them under a new agreement between the state and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. The tribal gaming compact was revised in 2009.

In December, the federal government approved another amendment that puts a portion of state revenue sharing into a special fund dedicated to promoting understanding, history and good relationships with the state's American Indians. One such use could be for transitioning schools.