Lawsuit filed over Vestavia Hills mascot change

Vestavia Hills resident Roger B. Harris filed a lawsuit against Vestavia Hills City Schools on Monday, Aug. 31. The lawsuit is in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County and lists the school system, Vestavia Hills Board of Education, Superintendent Sheila Phillips and members of the Board of Education as defendents.

In the lawsuit, Harris requests to see the documents and correspondence related to the refinishing of the high school’s gym floor. Harris claims there were steps taken to remove the Rebel Man mascot prior to community input, calling the work sessions and votes about the mascot a “sham” and a “fraud.”

The lawsuit also requests the defendants stop efforts to abolish the Rebel Man mascot or rebrand the Rebel Mascot.

A GoFundMe page was started on Aug. 21 to help raise money to pay attorney Jim Ransom. The page has raised more than $7,000 of its $10,000 goal.

Representatives of Vestavia Hills City Schools are unable to comment at this time.