We're Loyal to You, Phoenix High?

Oregon, of course.

Despite widespread opposition to the proposed name changes to the Phoenix-Talent School District, Talent Middle School, and Phoenix High School, the current superintendent, Ben Bergreen, and presumably the school board have the notion the changes are a fait accompli. The "votes" for later this month by the students and the outside community are just formalities.

Get a load of this crock of shit:

May 1, 2012
Dear Parents, Patrons and Alumnae:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and perspective on the renaming initiative. We have gone through a lengthy process and truly appreciate the opportunity to explain it further. The sole goal is to bring unity and clarity to a school district spread over a wide geographic area.
We have heard some concern about the potential cost of renaming. There are no plans to spend money from the general fund on the renaming project, especially in these challenging times for school funding. The District does have some limited funds in the capital projects fund that cannot be spent on staff, students or supplies, but could be used to change signs. Most stationery is electronic and can be changed easily. Uniforms would be changed as they need to be replaced; the “P” on the new high school uniforms stands for Pirates as no mascot names are being considered for change. The professional marketing and design people assisting the District have been an invaluable resource, and they are volunteering their services.
Change is never an easy and smooth path. In this case, the committee is looking forward to the long-term success and solvency of the District and how we want to be identified years into the future. For some, a name change proposal will evoke a large emotional reaction as students and alumni ponder what this could mean to them. After talking with others who have been through a name-change process, being part of a particular high school class is much more about relationships that are fostered and maintained. Phoenix High grads would always be Phoenix High grads. They would continue to identify and celebrate that way. Their identity, their history, and their pride would always follow them along with their connection to being a Pirate. That history would stay with them and become part of the story of the new identity.
The initiative to rename the District is just one component of what the Communications Committee has formed subcommittees on which to focus. Others include:
 Agriculture, FFA
 Advanced Placement
 Diversity/Multiculturalism
 Sports
 Outdoor Discovery Program
 Arts and Culture
School districts have entered a new reality with open enrollment. They need to promote what they do well to both current and prospective audiences. If we don’t take every opportunity to improve and spotlight services and offerings to students and actively seek to be inclusive of all constituents, then moving forward in the future could be more difficult. Being sandwiched between one of the largest districts in the state and a well-funded district (their local option levy generates an additional $2 million a year for the same number of students) is either a challenging situation or a remarkable opportunity.
The Communications Committee, fully supported by the School Board of Trustees, is committed to making the larger community perception of the District stronger by marketing the excellence of staff, programs and students and increasing the sense of unity and inclusiveness.
Sincerely,
Ben Bergreen
Superintendent

Translated, this means this is a done deal, and we don't care what you think.

Right now the petition against the changes is at 828 signatures. Of course there are many, many others against this idea.