CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — Clark Intermediate’s mascot was expected to see a permanent change on Friday due to Assembly Bill 3074, also known as the California Racial Mascot Act.<\/p>\n
“I have to say I’ve been very appreciative that this process has come, and that this law was passed because it really did help us engage in deeper conversations with our Native American community,” Clovis Unified Superintendent Dr. Corrine Folmer said.<\/p>\n
Clovis Unified was working to change the mascot by July 2026.<\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clark Intermediate is changing its mascot after 50+ years<\/a><\/p>\n The bill, which was passed in September of 2024, prohibits schools from using any derogatory Native American terms to represent a student body in the state.<\/p>\n Dr. Folmer invited vice chair Fred Beihn from the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to speak at the board meeting.<\/p>\n Doctor Folmer says the tribe reached out when they heard of the possible mascot name change.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the Native American tribe showed support to Clovis Unified and Clark Intermediate.<\/p>\n “I’m here today on behalf of our tribe, as a federally recognized tribe, to support keeping the name Chieftain,” Beihn said.<\/p>\n North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, which is the largest local tribe represented by Clovis Unified students of Native American descent, offered the school district a written statement in favor of keeping the name.<\/p>\n Beihn added there are generations from the tribe who attended Clark Intermediate.<\/p>\n “We recognize Chieftain to be a prideful term. And Chieftains are noble leaders. And it’s a great day to be a Chieftain,” Beihn said.<\/p>\n District leaders say support from the federally recognized tribe eliminates the need to change the name of Clark Intermediate’s mascot per AB 3074.<\/p>\n The board was considering Cougars for the school’s name change, which would’ve aligned with its feeder school, Clovis High.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n