The Abridged version:
- Twin Rivers Unified board members voted Tuesday to revoke the Highlands Community charter, an adult school that came under fire for violations like wasteful spending and inappropriate hiring practices.
- Highlands’ Executive Director Jonathan Raymond said the charter school leaders plan to appeal this decision to the County Office Education and that the school system remains open in the meantime.
- Highlands owes the state $180 million. If they were to close, the district could be left with the bill.
Twin Rivers Unified School District leaders voted Tuesday to revoke the charter of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools.
The decision came after school board members determined the embattled organization had yet to make enough reforms to continue with their support.
“At this time, the concerns raised in the notice of violation have not been remedied to my satisfaction, nor to that of my constituency,” said Christine Jefferson, board president.
Jonathan Raymond, executive director at Highlands, said the charter plans to appeal. The Sacramento County Office of Education has the power to uphold or overturn the school district’s revocation.
“This decision is deeply disappointing, but it does not end Highlands,” Raymond said in a statement after Tuesday’s meeting. “School remains open. Classes will continue.”
A charter under fire
A state audit in June revealed a multitude of infractions by Highlands and its former leadership, including wasteful spending, inappropriate hiring practices and receiving funds for which it was not eligible. The charter system is on the hook to return about $180 million to the state.
Twin Rivers Unified, which oversees Highlands, sent the charter a notice of violation shortly after the state released their findings. The school district received its own condemnation in the audit for inadequate supervision.
The notice last summer directed Highlands — a school system for adults who are often refugees, immigrants or formerly incarcerated — to enact a list of reforms.
Months later, trustees determined there had not been enough progress. The Twin Rivers board began the process of revoking Highlands’ charter in November.
Multi-million-dollar debt remains
Highlands is contesting their multi-million-dollar bill with the state, Raymond told the board Tuesday.
In the event, though, that the charter does close and their debt remains outstanding, the district could potentially take on the responsibility.
“It could fall upon us,” Ryan DiGiulio, chief business official, said in a presentation to trustees. “But we would argue that we fulfilled our legal obligation,” and contest having to pay the $180 million sum.
Twin Rivers Unified’s expenses for the school year are just under $600 million.
Against recommendations
The school board’s process came to a head Tuesday, as all but one member elected to pull their support for the controversial charter.
Trustees’ decision goes against their superintendent and staff’s recommendation.
DiGiulio’s presentation reported that all the violations attributed to Highlands were “refuted or remedied to the district’s satisfaction.” These included obtaining mandatory staff credentials and improved attendance enforcement.
It was not enough for Twin Rivers leadership.
“The question before us tonight was whether or not we had presented evidence that (this) notice of violations had been cured. And it’s been our determination tonight that they have not,” said Sascha Vogt, board clerk. “So I want to be very clear that this is not a vote about whether or not these populations served deserve our support.”
Current and former Highlands students filled the audience, some holding signs that read “Stand for second chances” and “Stand with immigrants.”
“Our students are survivors and fighters,” Raymond said. “They have shown extraordinary commitment to their education, and we will continue fighting alongside them with hope for their futures.”
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.