SAN MARCOS — Public comment at the Dec. 16 Governing Board meeting centered on trust, governance and Board Policy (BP) 3000, including new no-confidence resolutions, while the board also held its annual leadership elections and heard updates on anti-racism work and campus initiatives. Here are the highlights:

No-confidence resolutions dominated public comment. Palomar Council of Classified Employees (CCE) President Anel Gonzalez spoke in support of classified employees and said the group has adopted a resolution of no confidence in Trustees Jacqueline Kaiser and Yvette Acosta. Palomar Faculty Federation (PFF) Co-President Lawrence Lawson also announced PFF’s no confidence in Kaiser, Acosta and Holly Hamilton-Bleakley, tying it to concerns about campus safety, BP 3000, trust and governance.

Annual leadership elections brought changes and a split vote. The board elected Hamilton-Bleakley as the new governing board president unanimously. The board then held votes for vice president, first with a tie on electing Roberto Rodriguez followed by a successful 3-2 vote for Acosta, making Acosta the new vice president. Trustees Judy Patacsil and Roberto voted no and Acosta, Kaiser, and Hamilton-Bleakley voted yes. For secretary, Patacsil was elected unanimously.

BP 3000 resurfaced in debate over process and past statements. A BP 3000-related agenda item from Lawson on the existence of board level antirascism policies at other schools prompted a legal counsel statement referencing the lack of a model policy from the Community College League of California as reasoning for removal. The issue also came up in public comment and constituency reports as speakers criticized the policy’s path forward and the board’s communication.

The subcommittee created to research a replacement for BP 3000 at the last meeting gave an update on the process. Patacsil and Hamilton-Bleakley said they have met multiple times and are working with Student Trustee Ariel Fridman and campus groups — including CCE, PFF and administrators — to weigh in on next steps, emphasizing they want the work to be substantive and “not performative.”

The meeting included several emotional remarks about the recent death of LaCraigory Garrett, a student, Associated Student Government officer and Disability Resource Center employee. ASG President Yaretzi Hernandez shared a tearful account of how he will be missed, Student Trustee Ariel Fridman focused her report on his impact on her personally and the support being offered, and Vice President of Student Services Nick Mata described how the campus community is grieving and rallying around Garrett’s family and friends.

Other Key Takeaways:

• The Palomar College Student Equity Plan for 2025-2028 was approved unanimously
• Rodriguez was approved as the California Community College Trustee unanimously.
• 2026 governing board meeting start time set for 4:15 p.m. with the locations set mostly for San Marcos with one meeting at a center in October.
• Patacsil requested an agenda item to discuss moving constituent reports back to the original time slot with Fridman’s support.
• Board requests for future reports included a request from Kaiser on admission fraud countermeasures, Patacsil on languages offered, and Acosta on local salary comparisons.
• Notable public comment: Cheryl Kearse delivered a “’Twas the Night Before Palomar Christmas” themed statement.