South Burlington, Vt. - The controversy surrounding confederate symbols is making its way to a Vermont high school.



The Confederate flag has recently been a hot-topic across the country. Efforts to remove the flag or other references to the Confederacy have emerged following the killing of nine African-American churchgoers in South Carolina. Authorities say they were killed by a white man who said he was trying to start a race war.



In Vermont, some residents in South Burlington have taken to Front Porch Forum to discuss whether South Burlington High School should get rid of its rebel name.



Some say like the Confederate flag, the rebel name has a negative connotation. About 20 years ago the school district got rid of their rebel mascot, but evidence of the name still exists, which has some people concerned.



“I think it's time to end the Civil War. I think we're all one nation, and the word rebel has a connotation of the South, and separatism and racism, and I think it's time we ended that,” said South Burlington resident Sue Skolnick.



In a statement to Local 22 & Local 44, South Burlington High School Principal Patrick Burke said, “While the history of our school’s nickname is unfortunate, I can say that in my 20 years with South Burlington I’ve rarely seen the mascot directly affiliated with confederacy.”



School officials said they are not opposed to sitting down and talking with concerned residents.