The same day that State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith announced she would retire by September 2026, the union of community college faculty tallied “no confidence” votes and said she should step down immediately.

Instructors say that a culture of retaliation has grown during Goldsmith’s tenure. They also say that under her leadership legal expenses have tripled — in part due to actions taken against instructors. They also brought up a $161,000 contract awarded to a “goddaughter” of Goldsmith, and a Halloween costume contest at Madera Community College, where the leader of the academic senate was allegedly mocked by administrators.

Contract negotiations are underway between the district and the union.

“Under Goldsmith’s leadership, the district’s legal expe

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