Kern Community College District Settles With Fired Professor For $2.4M

Matthew Garrett, a former history professor at Bakersfield College, has reached a $2.4 million settlement with the Kern Community College District (KCCD) after being dismissed for his opposition to racial social justice initiatives. Garrett’s firing over a year ago was attributed to “dishonesty” and “unprofessional conduct” following his criticism of a proposed “racial climate task force” and other diversity measures.

Garrett and fellow professor Erin Miller had sued KCCD more than three years ago, claiming retaliation for their objections to the college’s social justice spending. They argued that their critiques were misinterpreted as false accusations against their progressive colleagues, alleging misuse of grant funds. This dispute between Garrett’s Renegade Institute for Liberty and the Social Justice Institute at Bakersfield College has been ongoing since before the pandemic.

The KCCD board of trustees supported the Social Justice Institute, with Vice President John Corkins making controversial comments that suggested Garrett and his allies were expendable. These remarks led to further tensions and a federal judge allowing a related First Amendment lawsuit by another Renegade Institute historian, Daymon Johnson, against the college’s diversity policies last fall.

The settlement reached on July 10 includes a $154,520 payment to Garrett for back wages and medical benefits, and monthly payments of almost $10,300 for the next 20 years. The agreement also requires KCCD to withdraw all disciplinary actions against Garrett and seal the related documents in his personnel file.

Garrett stated he would be withdrawing from the shared federal lawsuit with Miller, who will continue the litigation. He claimed Miller is still facing retaliation, including the cancellation of her classes, and reiterated his belief that the settlement validates his criticisms of KCCD.

“Facing an imminent ruling in my favor and the prospect of paying millions of dollars in damages, KCCD had only one viable option: settlement,” Garrett said. “To my colleagues at Bakersfield College and nationwide, I say: Keep the faith; we are winning the battle, one case at a time.”

The KCCD has not responded to inquiries regarding Garrett’s comments or the ongoing litigation. This case underscores the broader debates within academia over the role and funding of social justice initiatives and the rights of faculty members to voice dissenting opinions.

Both Garrett and Miller’s cases continue to draw attention to the challenges faced by educators who question prevailing institutional policies, highlighting the complex dynamics of academic freedom, administrative power, and social justice advocacy.