A Clovis Unified School District middle school is being forced to change its mascot to comply with state law.
Clark Intermediate School will move off its Chieftains mascot and take on the Cougars moniker, aligning with Clovis High School.
Driving the news: Clark is required to leave behind its Chieftains mascot because of Assembly Bill 3074.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 3074 into law last year.
- The bill is known as the California Racial Mascots Act. It prohibits public schools from using the term Redskins and other names deemed to be derogatory Native American terms as mascots, starting in January.
- The bill includes the following mascots in its definitions of derogatory Native American terms: Apaches, Big Reds, Braves, Chiefs, Chieftains, Chippewa, Comanches, Indians, Savages, Squaw and Tribe.
The big picture: Clark Principal Matt Hernandez and Scott Dille, the assistant superintendent for the Clovis area, said during CUSD’s board meeting on Nov. 12 that the school was getting feedback from the community for the change.
- Along with Cougars, the school was considering other mascots, such as Chihuahuas, Krakens, Cowboys and Cubs.
What we’re watching: The Clovis Unified school board will have to approve the mascot change to Cougars at its meeting in December.
