WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - Willoughby South High School is saying farewell to its Confederate-capped mascot, but keeping the name Rebels.

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools announced the decision Thursday, spearheaded by its superintendent, Steve Thompson. Workers will immediately begin the process of covering up the mascot on scoreboards and removing it other places around the school, and the few remaining sports teams uniforms featuring the icon will be replaced.

The mascot and name were chosen when the school was founded, as the district has two high schools - North and South. North High's team name is the Rangers.

The district is in the process of constructing two new high school buildings and a new elementary school building.

Thompson, in a Thursday afternoon press conference, said his conscience prompted him to put the decision in motion, but a group made up of students, teachers and community members will provide input in how to move forward.

There are no plans to change the name, and the school's colors, gray and blue, will stay the same.

Following the deadly attack during protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, some cities are deciding to remove Confederate statues. In other cases, protestors are toppling them, according to reports.

When asked what prompted the decision at this time, Thompson said it was based on making sure that people knew that the district was an inclusive community. The construction of the new campus and allowing students to shape an identity along with that also played into the decision.

"I think it's bigger than a flag or bigger than a mascot," he said.

The district's South High School removed Confederate imagery from its uniforms and stopped using the "Stars and Bars" to promote sports in 1993. However, the name and the mascot stayed. The icon is a man dressed in a gray military outfit, the color of Confederate uniforms in the Civil War.

The team did have a male student dressed up like the icon a couple years ago.

Thompson said he expected kickback from the community on the decision, but he thought he should have the "courage" to make it even if it's unpopular.

He added the change in mascot might not make too much of a ripple among students.

"I think the message to our students is that we want to be inclusive, and I think that resonates with young people."

John Adams High School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District also uses the Rebels as a team name, but their mascot more closely resembles a cavalier than a Confederate soldier.

This story has been updated to include additional information.