Caruthers
Caruthers, CA · Education
The Fresno Bee
State Center College District picks new chancellor. She worked under embattled predecessor
The State Center Community College District has officially selected a new leader: an internal candidate who formerly worked alongside the former, controversy-embroiled chancellor. During Tuesday night’s board meeting, trustees unanimously decided that deputy chancellor Christine Holt-McDonald will assume the role of chancellor. The district entered into a two-and-a-half-year employment agreement with Holt-McDonald, who will earn an annual salary of $365,000. “I’m very honored and very humbled, to be the next chancellor of State Center Community College District,” Holt-McDonald said during the meeting. Holt-McDonald joined the district in 2025 and previously served as the chancellor of a university in Arkansas. She worked closely alongside Carole Goldsmith, who served as the chancellor from November 2021 to September 2026. In November 2025, 250 members of the district’s faculty union unanimously issued a vote of no confidence in Goldsmith’s leadership. Hours ahead of this vote, Goldsmith announced that she’d retire in September 2026 and said the union actions had nothing to do with the decision. Ahead of trustees’ decision, Keith Ford, president of the State Center Federation of Teachers, said there are some concerns surrounding the prospect of an internal candidate leading the district. “We would be looking immediately for her to break with
The Fresno Bee
Fresno-area junior college faculty hold symbolic funeral as contract talks drag on
State Center Community College District faculty members recently held a mock funeral to mourn the death of their contract as the union enters its second year of negotiations. Members of the State Center Federation of Teachers gathered outside the district headquarters — donning black outfits and surrounding a symbolic casket — on Tuesday afternoon. Some wore suits and formal attire while others showed up in costumes. One demonstrator had a sign that read, “Our contract is dead and does not R.I.P.” When the SCCCD board of trustees meeting began, attendees carried the coffin — with the expired contract stapled inside — into the building. “Today, we’re having a symbolic, mock funeral to really kind of relay the absurdity of us being out of contract,” Fresno City College English professor Monique Quintana said. “We just want what we deserve.” SCFT president Keith Ford said ceremonial funerals are one way for labor organizers to make their frustrations heard. He said their contract expired in June 2025, though negotiations have been underway since Nov. 2024. “After making all of our points as civilly and sometimes as humorously as possible, we thought it’s time to really lay on the gravitas and say, ‘No, this
YourCentralValley.com
‘Problem’; Fresno State students launch parking campaign
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A group of Fresno state students want to change the way parking works on campus with a new campaign called Park the Problem. Ana Marquez launched the initiative at the beginning of the semester and says their cause has already gathered around 300 signatures of support from other students. She lives […]
KMPH.com
Previewing Central Section D1 football semifinals, rest of division quarterfinals
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Following the first round of CIF Central Section high school football playoffs, local ESPN Radio personality Paul Meadors joined the Sunday Sports Highlights Show to look ahead at the upcoming matchups for Friday, Nov. 13. In Division 1-AA, two-time defending champion Central East hosts Bakersfield....
Merced Sun-Star
Merced College named Bellwether Award finalist for second consecutive year
For the second consecutive year, Merced College has been named a national finalist for the prestigious Bellwether Award, this time for its innovative approach to employee engagement and well-being. The recognition follows Merced College’s selection as the 2026 Bellwether Award winner in Workforce Development for its AgTEC Workforce Initiative. This year’s nomination highlights the district’s comprehensive approach to supporting employees, strengthening workplace culture, and creating an environment where faculty and staff can thrive. Merced College is one of 10 national finalists in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category, which recognizes innovative approaches to college planning, management and resource optimization. The Bellwether College Consortium selected 30 finalists across three categories, drawing from 89 submissions representing 78 community colleges in 29 states. “It’s fitting that after being recognized for our innovative work to help students succeed, we’re now being recognized for how we invest in the people who make that work possible,” Merced College President Chris Vitelli said. “Our faculty, classified professionals and administrators are foundational to our mission. When we prioritize their engagement, professional growth, and well-being, we also strengthen our ability to serve students and our community.” Presented by the Bellwether College Consortium, the annual awards recognize innovative, evidence-based practices
The Fresno Bee
State Center College District trustees might choose new chancellor at board meeting
State Center Community College District trustees will soon consider appointing a new chancellor to succeed Carole Goldsmith, who retired in late September following nearly a year of public controversy. The finalists are down to Alan Davis and Christine Holt-McDonald. Davis has a chemistry background and spent most of his professional life in Canada, and Holt-McDonald was named SCCCD’s deputy chancellor in 2025, working directly under Goldsmith. The agenda for tomorrow’s board meeting notes that trustees will discuss appointing a new chancellor during closed session, followed by a conference with a labor negotiator. The open-session portion of the meeting is slated to involve trustees considering whether to enter an employment agreement with the new chancellor as well. The previous chancellor, Carole Goldsmith, was appointed in Nov. 2021. Four years later, hundreds of faculty members declared they had no confidence in her leadership. A few hours before this vote of no confidence, Goldsmith announced that she was retiring in Sept. 2026. The SCCCD later disputed the reported timing of her retirement announcement.
Porterville Recorder
KMPH.com
Opening round of 2026 high school football playoffs around the Central Section
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Highlights, scores, and brackets from the first round of CIF Central Section high school football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Semifinal round - Bakersfield at Central East, Clovis West at Buchanan. DIVISION 1-A Garces 41, Clovis North 0. Tulare Union 27, Liberty (Bakersfield) 21.
Merced Sun-Star
Merced claims fourth consecutive CCC title with Santa Fe Bowl win over Atwater
The Merced High football team claimed its spot on the Central California Conference throne once again with a dominant 45-13 victory over Atwater in a battle of the two CCC unbeaten teams in Santa Fe Bowl 56 on Friday night at Dave Honey Stadium. Senior running back Dougie Andrews led the way, rushing for 154 yards and two touchdowns as the Merced offense started clicking in the second half. The Bears won their fourth consecutive CCC championship and extended their CCC winning streak to 26 consecutive victories. “Oh man, it feels amazing,” said Andrews, who rushed for 131 yards in the second half. “We just put everything on it, and we stacked day by day, one game at a time. We stay focused, and now we’re here. It feels amazing. I can’t even explain it.” It’s the first time Merced has won four consecutive CCC championships during Rob Scheidt’s 31 years as the head coach. “It’s not an easy thing,” Scheidt said. “I’m really proud of this group because they trusted us, and you know they’ve got friends who aren’t here with them now. But they trusted the process of becoming a team, and I felt like they did a
Visalia Times-Delta | Tulare Advance Register
midvalleytimes.com
YourCentralValley.com
‘Declining enrollment’: What Happens to Fresno Unified if SEDA Passes?
Opponents of the SEDA project argued that the planned annexation and development of 9,000 acres in southeast Fresno could lead to school closures and funding losses due to declining enrollment in local school districts.
KMPH.com
KMPH.com
Student parking campaign pushes petition, meetings and monthly permit payments next
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno State students gathered today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Free Speech Area to raise awareness about campus parking challenges through a student-led campaign called “Park the Problem.”. Led by Fresno State student Ana Marquez, the campaign aims to bring attention...