SACRAMENTO, CA – California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) President and CEO Myrna Castrejón issued the following statement in response to findings released by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) regarding Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools:
“CCSA is deeply troubled by the findings of the state audit of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools. The actions outlined in the report are inexcusable and entirely inconsistent with the values and standards of California’s charter public school movement. Every charter school must deliver on the promise of a high-quality education for every student, of protecting every taxpayer dollar, and ensuring those dollars are spent on students. That clearly did not happen in this case.
In 2024, CCSA strongly supported JLAC’s call to audit Highlands. We submitted a letter of support underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability within the charter school sector. We believed then — and continue to believe — that an independent audit by the Bureau of State Audits (BSA) is essential to providing clarity and recommending next steps through a thorough third-party review.
While today’s audit findings underscore the scope of necessary corrections, we are encouraged by the sweeping reforms and leadership changes announced today by Highlands' Board. The unique communities served by Highlands — and their unique needs — deserve a high-integrity, high-performance organization in their corner, along with an oversight agency that ensures those reforms are fully implemented.
This is not merely a school-level failure — it reflects a broader breakdown in oversight and lack of accountability for the authorizer that was entrusted with oversight. Despite collecting more than $12 million in oversight fees from Highlands, the school’s authorizer, Twin Rivers Unified School District, failed to act even after multiple red flags. Oversight only works when it is exercised meaningfully. Other state and local agencies also failed in their roles.
We must focus on preventing similar failures in the future. That is why CCSA is championing Senate Bill 414, which would enact stronger accountability measures for charter authorizers, tighten board-level financial reviews, and increase transparency around school finances and operations. SB 414 offers a smarter, targeted solution to the vulnerabilities exposed in this audit — without punishing the many high-performing charter schools that are serving students with integrity.
The vast majority of California’s approximately 1,300 charter public schools are responsibly operated, transparently governed, and producing strong outcomes for students — including those in nonclassroom-based and flexible learning programs.
We urge lawmakers, the media, and the public not to conflate this scandal with the broader sector. Instead, let’s use this moment to pass meaningful reform that strengthens oversight where it’s needed most — and preserves quality educational options for the students who need them most.”
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.