without cause, in a 3-2 vote, with Valladares, Vice President Rosaelva Lomeli and Clerk Yarisma Rocha voting for the firing and trustees Kristal Orozco and Anais Medina Diaz voting no.

“The Board’s action, by a 3-2 margin, to remove me as Superintendent/President comes as a complete surprise to me and the Rio Hondo College stakeholders outside the Board room,” Flores said in a statement Monday.

It was unclear Monday why the trustees took such a step.

The move surprised sources within the college who reported the decision was made without consulting stakeholder groups.

Calls and emails to Río Hondo College officials were not immediately returned. Flores was not available for comment on Monday.

Flores became superintendent/president of the community college in July 2022, coming aboard with the board’s unanimous vote, which touted her more than 20 years serving California community colleges and more than 25 years working in educational settings.

At the time, trustees touted Flores’ experience and emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We are proud to announce Dr. Marylin Flores as our next Superintendent/President,” board President Vicky Santana said in a statement then. “Río Hondo College has a legacy of achievement and we know Dr. Flores will continue this proud tradition as our new leader. The Board is confident that she will continue our College’s efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion, which are fundamental to advancing educational justice and opportunity.”

At its November meeting, the board voted to renew Flores’ contract for three years, from July 1 through June 30, 2028, with four trustees voting to approve the extension and Valladares abstaining.

Her salary was listed at $378,338, with cost-of-living adjustments.

Given the recent contract renewal, she was thankful for support but incredulous on Monday.

“I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have already received upon the sudden announcement,” she said in the statement. “I cannot conceive of any legitimate reason for it, especially since the Board renewed my contract just six months ago in November, for another three years.”

Flores holds a doctorate in institutional leadership and policy studies from UC Riverside. She also completed her undergraduate degree there, and she earned a master’s degree in education and a teaching credential from UCLA.

At her final report as superintendent/president, Flores reviewed the events she attended in April and early May. She also congratulated this year’s more than 1,600 graduates, who will walk the stage at the Whittier campus Friday.

In a video message recorded at the start of the spring semester, Flores said she was excited to see what 2025 would bring, noting her support for those impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires as well as those concerned “given the current political situation.”

“I continue to be proud and to witness the collective efforts of the community to support those who have been impacted by the wildfires as well as supporting all of our students regardless of immigration status, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation,” she said. “My hope is we will always answer the call to help.”

Flores’ abrupt departure echoes the rocky history of recent Río Hondo College heads.

Teresa Dreyfuss, who led the college from 2012-2019 before retiring, was rehired in 2020 to replace Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes.

Reyes resigned after serving for a year and three months after an investigation by the Southern California News Group showed his work calendar had been reduced by 25 days at his direction without board approval.

“I am disappointed by this turn of events,” Flores said Monday. “But I will do all I can to preserve the work my team started and smoothly transition my office to other capable hands to achieve the goals we set for Rio Hondo College and ensuring that students are as they always should be first.”