FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) _ Students at a Fort Wayne high school are voting on choices for a new school mascot this week to replace the Redskins name.

Earlier this year, North Side High School's Redskins mascot was deemed unfit due to controversy surrounding the nickname and its perceived offensive nature toward Native Americans.

Fort Wayne Community Schools spokeswoman Krista Stockman says a committee has met to discuss alternative mascots. This week's online vote includes eight choices. The committee will look at the top three after the votes are counted. Students will vote one more time to pick the winner.

Stockman says the final decision is expected to be announced before holiday break begins Dec. 17. The Goshen school board also decided to toss their Redskins name last month and adopt the RedHawks mascot next year.