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Teachers and parents urge Twin Rivers to investigate Highlands Charter over alleged employee retaliation and audit concerns
Summary
Public comment included allegations that Highlands Community Charter leadership engaged in retaliatory conduct toward staff and that the charter's unaudited actuals used misleading accounting reclassifications; speakers asked Twin Rivers to investigate and consider revoking an optional charter extension year.
During oral communications, a Highlands Community Charter employee and other community members asked the district to investigate alleged employee mistreatment and audit findings at the charter.
Selena Tasabia, who identified herself as an English‑as‑a‑second‑language teacher at Highlands since January 2022, told the board she was pulled from class on Sept. 9, had her district laptop and phone confiscated, and was placed on administrative leave without receiving the written notice she said is required under state education code. "Employees are terrified of speaking out due to the threat of retaliation and firing," she said and urged Twin Rivers to investigate and hold Highlands accountable for potential Ed. Code violations.
Araceli Perez raised concerns about a three‑year discretionary extension of Highlands— charters through June 30, 2027 and alleged that unaudited actuals presented by Highlands previously used reclassifications that obscured reductions in textbook spending. She requested that the board consider removing the optional renewal year and noted she had provided documents to district staff.
Board members acknowledged the concerns and indicated the district would follow up; the item was heard during public comment and no board disciplinary or revocation action was taken at the meeting.
