[KMJ) – For the first time in its history, the Fresno Unified School Board votes to rename one of its schools for a prominent Valley Armenian-American.
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the Fresno Unified School Board voted to rename Forkner Elementary School to Roger Tatarian Elementary.
Tatarian, a Fresno native, was considered a world-renowned journalist. He was the former editor-in-chief at United Press International, where he worked for 34 years. And he also taught journalism at Fresno State.
Tatarian was recently considered — but was passed over — when naming was being considered for Fresno Unified’s newest campus, now under construction in Southeast Fresno.
But, Fresno Unified says this name change will not take effect immediately Instead, the District will not be able to begin using the name Tatarian Elementary until the 2022-23 school year, at the soonest.
