WBCSD discusses potential mascot change, junior high

PRIEST RIVER — Priest River middle schoolers may get a new name this upcoming school year, joining the Spartan community and leaving the Warrior name behind.    

Currently, junior and senior high students attend classes in the same building but are represented by different mascots — the Warriors and the Spartans. The proposed change presented to the West Bonner County School Board would allow all Priest River students to be housed under the Spartan name, creating a sense of unity in the district, supporters said.  

According to a survey conducted by junior high students, 60% of surveyors support the name change, while 40% oppose it.  

Community member Merrilee Brumley shared her support for the change, saying that the shared name would help build school spirit and community within the students. Brumley also noted that if the students were under the same mascot, the school apparel (specifically for parents) could be worn throughout all 12 years of a student’s academic career.  

Former Priest River Junior/Senior High Principal Matt George suggested that if the mascot change was approved, then extracurricular uniforms should be phased out over time by uniform rotations. George also indicated that junior high students already considered themselves Spartans.  

“The kids do not call themselves Warriors. Every parent that I've talked to does not call their junior high kid Warriors. There may be some that do, but they haven't spoken to me about it. The Priest River community is known as the Spartans,” said George.  

A decision will be made on the matter at a June 25 special meeting.  

In other business matter, the school board announced that Priest River Elementary School has changed their end times because of added school days in the 2025-26 school calendar. Due to this change, school will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m. instead of 3:05 p.m., and student pickups and bus arrivals will occur 15 minutes earlier.