Teachers and union speakers press Twin Rivers for accountability after state audit finds Highlands Charter violations

Multiple public commenters accused Highlands Community Charter School and its leadership of fraud and mismanagement and urged the Twin Rivers board to take action. Britney Ward, identified as president-elect of Twin Rivers United Educators, told the board the union had repeatedly raised concerns about alleged fraud and illegal activity at Highlands and said the state audit released that day confirmed problems. Ward said the audit found Highlands received "more than $180,000,000 in K'12 funds for which it was not eligible," engaged in wasteful spending and assigned teachers to classes without appropriate credentials, and that Twin Rivers and other oversight agencies did not provide adequate oversight.

Another public commenter argued that Twin Rivers followed the minimum oversight required by the Charter Schools Act of 1992 rather than best practices and asked if that exposes the district to responsibility for debts or claims of the charter. The commenter said the district performed "1 out of 40" recommended oversight activities and urged the board to pursue stronger practices, more frequent meetings and independent reviews.

Board responses in the public record were limited. The administration and trustees acknowledged receipt of the audit and said additional materials had been provided to board members that evening; the district did not provide a detailed rebuttal or a plan in the public portion of the meeting. Speakers asked for more frequent scheduled meetings, improved transparency and stronger follow-up on audit recommendations.

The board did not take a formal vote related to Highlands at this meeting; public comments and requests for accountability were placed on the record.