KAUKAUNA, Wis. — The Kaukauna School Board Monday approved up to $25,000 to place a sign in front of a statue that has some students feeling uncomfortable.

A group of students at Kaukauna High School in January addressed the school board with concerns about how the statue can be perceived by those who walk by it or see it. The group told the school board they felt the statue resembled a symbol of hate rather than the school mascot.

The statue depicts the Galloping Ghost, the school’s mascot represented by a ghostly figure on a galloping horse. The students, however, felt the figure looked more like a Ku Klux Klan member than a ghost.

“It’s a tricky one because there’s people on both sides as far as understanding that it’s not intended to maybe look like a hateful symbol, but what out students were bringing up is that some people may possibly see it that way,” said Chris McDaniel, principal. 

“It’s meant to show that first time where we had a student ride a horse to deliver the game ball. It’s a tradition that we still do at our football games today,” he said.

McDaniel attended Kaukauna High School when the current facility opened and the statue was unveiled. He said there were always rumblings about what the statue looked like.

“Our hope is to better tell the intent of the statue and better tell the story of what it is, too,” said McDaniel.

Hannah Uitenbroek graduated from the school in 2010. She said the statue never sat well with her.

“If it makes someone feel unsafe, makes them feel like they have to hide a part of them, if it makes them feel like they’re going to get taunting or teasing from classmates, whatever it’d be it’s not worth it,” Uitenbroek said. “They deserve something better in the adults that are surrounding the school and making decisions that are leading them.”