KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The proposed plan to add an explanatory sign next to Kaukauna High School’s mascot statue hit a road bump Monday.
Earlier this year, students requested the removal of the Galloping Ghost statue from in front of the school over concerns the statue could be misconstrued as a racist symbol, appearing similar to clothing associated with the Ku Klux Klan.
“Unfortunately when you come in, some people would get the perception possibly that it’s a hateful symbol versus the galloping ghost that it’s intended to be,” Kaukauna High School principal Chris McDaniel said.
To meet in the middle, the administration proposed adding signs to explain the history and meaning behind the mascot instead.
“The signage proposed speaks to this home, we welcome people to our home,” Kaukauna alumna Giovanna Feller said.
Those signs were denied by the Kaukauna School Board Monday because of costs, but the board approved a cheaper alternative.
Some alumni and school board members were concerned about the original costs of the signage proposed.
“It appears the proposed solution to the ghost statue issue is throwing 20,000 at a problem that could be solved with a 500 dollar vinyl sign,” Kaukauna alumnus Brian Roebke said.
The signs had two components: a single-sided letter sign installed on a curved base in front of the Galloping Ghost statue, and a Daktronics LED Message Display adjacent to the statue.
The letter sign would cost $20,189.50, while the electronic sign would cost $32,664.73.
No vote taken last night. The school board says it will consider a new signage proposal that doesn’t exceed $25,000 at a future meeting.
