The Hays CISD board of trustees unanimously voted to retire the Rebel mascot at Hays High School at a July 16 special meeting because of its connection to the Confederacy.

Previously, HCISD administration announced it would recommend board members ditch the school’s mascot following over 1,000 survey results that showed students and teachers did not feel comfortable using the Rebel mascot.

Following the district’s recommendation and several student petitions, the Rebel mascot will be retired after being used for several decades.

Hays High School plans to retire its mascot as early as the spring semester but may keep it through the 2020-21 school year as it may be "too disruptive" to change mascots mid-year, according to a press release from the district.

The school will continue to use its Rebels mascot in the short term until a new mascot is selected. Students who do not wish to wear uniforms with the Rebel symbol will not be required to do so and references to the mascot on uniforms can be covered.

Once students return to school in the fall, HCISD will conduct a comprehensive new mascot selection process. Once a new mascot is selected, the district will take steps to create a new logo and brand package.

The campus will begin to phase out the Rebel mascot on websites, walls and places around the building in anticipation of the change.