Ahead of a nearly eight-hour board meeting, State Center Community College District union members picketed and outlined their concerns with leadership after 20 months of contract negotiations.
About 100 people rallied Tuesday both outside the meeting and inside the boardroom, donning light-blue T-shirts and homemade picket signs.
Nathan Wensko, communications instructor at Clovis Community College and director of actions for the State Center Federation of Teachers, told The Bee that the union members were demonstrating to show the district that they mean business.
“What’s going on here today is our show of power,” said Wensko, noting employees have not had a contact for over a year.
The demonstrations are occurring as the district’s embattled chancellor, Carole Goldsmith, prepares to make her exit, which was announced hours before the union issued a no-confidence vote.
“Whether our chancellor is here or not is irrelevant because, no matter what, we are not getting what we are supposed to be getting — what would be fair equally to the Valley,” Wensko said. “ It’s really about just solidifying a culture of change in which we are ensured that we are taking care of our students.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, which started nearly two and a half hours in, 31 people spoke to discuss concerns around the district’s healthcare plan, lecture-lab parity, contract negotiations, the chancellor search and concerns with Madera Community College leadership.
The Fresno Bee
Nick Fenley is a reporter covering education, lawsuits, breaking news and more for The Fresno Bee. He’s originally from the Imperial Valley and joined The Bee in 2025.