Palomar College employees, students rally for changes; interim president named

About 100 employees and students at Palomar College held a rally Tuesday at the same time as the school’s governing board meeting to pressure the board to approve cost of living increases, fill vacant positions and reinstate an anti-racism policy.

This was the second rally the school’s Council of Classified Employees has organized in response to recent moves by the Palomar Community College District Governing Board majority that took control a year ago. The rally was an escalation of one they held in October, said Anel Gonzalez, president of the council, which represents most of the school’s employees in positions that don’t require a teacher certification.

“This is not a reaction; this is a movement,” Gonzalez said. “The board does not get to hold our campus hostage. We want a future built on respect, stability, safety, and student success, and we’re coming together to demand it,”

The crowd held up signs, chanted slogans and listened to speeches outside the college’s library as the governing board met inside. The meeting was broadcast to the people outside, who at times reacted loudly enough for those in the public meeting to hear.

Board President Holly Hamilton-Bleakley said she appreciated hearing the concerns shared at Tuesday’s meetings.

“The board has been, and continues to be, fully committed to the good governance of Palomar College,” she said. “As the newly elected president of the governing board, I will continue to work collabo...