Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is navigating an escalating governance crisis involving its board chair, chancellor, and competing investigations. As of early September 2026, two senior district figures — suspended board president Philip Yarbrough and Chancellor Marvin Martinez — are simultaneously subject to separate personnel investigations.

Trustees voted 4-3 on August 13, 2026 to temporarily remove Yarbrough as board president and as chair of both the Fiscal/Audit and Policy committees. The action is pending independent investigations into complaints filed by Chancellor Marvin Martinez — alleging discrimination, harassment, and due-process violations — and by a vice chancellor. Trustee Vice President Tina Arias Miller assumed the role of acting board president. Yarbrough retains his elected seat, which the board has no authority to revoke. Yarbrough publicly characterized the action as being "railroaded." According to the OC Register, this was the second attempt in roughly a month to strip him of his leadership roles.

At a special meeting that began the evening of September 1 and concluded after midnight on September 2, trustees voted 5-1 to place Chancellor Marvin Martinez on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into recently made allegations. Voting in favor: trustees Hanna, Hernandez, Crockett, Tong, and Arias Miller. Trustee Cecilia Iglesias cast the sole dissenting vote. According to Voice of OC, Yarbrough — already stripped of his officer posts — was not present and told reporters he was excluded from the closed session and does not know the nature of the allegations against Martinez. The district characterized the matter as a confidential personnel action and did not disclose the scope or timeline of the investigation.

Yarbrough had pressed for accountability following an audit of a reported $7-million-plus off-books insurance-rebate fund. The board stated in August that it has not found evidence of fraud related to that fund. The independent investigations of Martinez's and a vice chancellor's complaints against Yarbrough remain pending alongside the new investigation of Martinez himself.

The situation is confined to the governance and administration of RSCCD, which serves Orange and Santa Ana communities through Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. No disruption to academic operations or student services has been reported.

Key developments to monitor include: appointment or naming of independent investigators for both tracks, any formal findings, scheduled board meetings at which the suspension or related matters may be revisited, the identity of any acting chancellor, and whether any party files legal or administrative actions.