Amends GS 115C-210.4 by adding (2b), requiring the State Advisory Council on Indian Education (Council) to include information on public school mascots as part of the Council’s annual report and presentation that includes a definition of an American Indian mascot and a list of the known public schools with those mascots and what the mascot is.

Amends GS 115C-12 by requiring the State Board of Education (Board) to ensure no public school in the state uses an American Indian mascot as defined in new GS 115C-210.4(2b). Requires the Board to vote on whether it concurs or objects with the Council’s finding that a school is using an American Indian mascot and to notify the governing body and superintendent, or equivalent authority, of the public school unit and direct the mascot to be changed to a non-American Indian mascot within 2 years.

Amends GS 115C-276 by requiring the superintendent to ensure no school in a public school unit has an American Indian mascot. Permits superintendent to give relevant authorities under an existing school or local board policy one year to begin process to change the mascot once notice is received pursuant to new GS 115C-12(50) that a school mascot must be changed. Empowers superintendent to choose new mascot for a school if no action is taken to change the mascot after one year. Requires the Department of Public Instruction to determine if the superintendent willfully failed to comply with requirements if there is no mascot change after two years and details consequences if so. 

Amends GS 115C-218.75 by prohibiting charter schools from having an American Indian mascot as well. Requires the school to change the mascot to a non-American Indian mascot within two years as well. Requires Board to determine if a charter school willfully failed to comply with GS 115C-12(50) if there is no change within two years of the school’s receipt of notice and details consequences if so. 

Act applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.