Delta College Area 5 trustee Kathleen Garcia officially stepped down on March 27.
“San Joaquin Delta College Trustee Kathy Garcia stepped down today from the Board of Trustees, after more than three years of service,” reads a news release from Delta’s Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler sent out at 7:21 p.m..
Garcia’s district, Area 5, encompasses east San Joaquin County and parts of Calaveras County.
Details on how the vacancy left by Garcia’s departure will be announced at a later date, the press release said.
“It has been an honor of the highest order to serve alongside you and to contribute to the noble mission of making San Joaquin Delta College a beacon of learning, opportunity, and hope,” Garcia wrote in a letter to the Board quoted in the news release. “The advancement of our college and the successes of our students have been sources of profound joy and fulfillment for me.”
Delta Superintendent/President Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson also thanked Garcia for her service in the release.
“I’d like to thank Trustee Garcia for her years of service to Delta College, and wish her well in her future endeavors,” said Lawrenson.
However, as of press time, the district’s lawsuit to remove Garcia, The People of the State of California on Relation of San Joaquin Delta Community College District v. Kathleen Garcia, is still listed in the San Joaquin County Court system.
Garcia is accused of simultaneously holding two public offices in violation of California Government Code 1099. She was elected to Delta College’s board in 2020 for a four-year term that would have ended on Dec. 13. In November 2022, she was appointed to the Eastside Rural Fire Protection District.
An opinion issued by the California Attorney General’s Office on Nov. 23, 2023, found there was “substantial legal issue” that Garcia was holding two incompatible offices. The opinion gave Delta College permission to sue Garcia in an effort to remove her from the college board.
Garcia was issued a summons on Feb. 16, and served on March 1, according to court records. and was given 30 calendar days to file a written response with the court.
Delta was concerned that Garcia has had potential clashes of duties and loyalties that are listed in the Attorney General’s eight-page opinion.
Specifically, Garcia has allegedly sought collaboration between the districts including acquiring real estate/property, the ability of the fire district to enforce fire codes, and levy fees and creating service zones, as noted in the lawsuit.
In particular, when the community college planned to create an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic program, Garcia advised against conducting a program with any other districts, according to the Attorney General’s opinion.
“According to the College District, Garcia asked the community college’s superintendent and president if Garcia should tell a different fire protection district who had expressed interest in the program to go ‘pound salt.’”
The Collegian reached out to Delta College Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson for comment if Garcia resigning her seat was due to the pending litigation. Lawrenson did not respond as of press time.
Delta College officials also declined to comment on whether or not Garcia stepping down from her seat is related to the lawsuit.
“Generally speaking, Delta College does not comment on pending legal matters,” said Breitler.
Garcia also declined to comment when contacted after the release was sent out on Tuesday evening.
