SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 8, 2025) — In a decisive step toward reform and accountability, two members of the Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools Board of Directors announced their resignations at last night’s public board meeting at the request of newly appointed Executive Director Jonathan Raymond. One board member was removed. Two more positions are expected to turn over within the next month.

The move is part of a broader restructuring designed to rebuild trust, strengthen oversight, and deliver on a public commitment to reform. The outgoing board members — Sonja Cameron, Ernie Daniels, Matt Powers, Sharon Rocco, and Rick Jones — were thanked for their contributions in helping initiate the school’s turnaround, including the early adoption of new policies to ensure fiscal responsibility, academic accountability, and greater transparency.

“This moment is about accountability at every level,” said Jonathan Raymond, Executive Director of Highlands. “I asked for these resignations because I believe Highland’s future depends on a clean break from past governance failures. Our community deserves a school governed with integrity, guided by transparency, and built to serve those who’ve historically been left behind. These changes allow us to reset and rebuild from a stronger foundation.”

Last week’s meeting also included the approval of two key leadership positions:

• Chief Academic Officer, to raise academic quality and ensure strong student outcomes.
• Chief Operating Officer, to reinforce oversight, legal compliance, and fiscal integrity.

“Last night was a turning point,” said Board Member Mike Reid, newly appointed President of the Highlands Board. “This board will be smaller, more focused, and more accountable. We are here to support Jonathan’s leadership, to serve students and families with transparency, and to finish the job of reform.”

The structural changes mark the latest in a series of sweeping reforms, including:

• Downsizing and recredentialing the entire teaching staff in response to updated state guidance.
• Implementing rigorous attendance and instructional reforms.
• Closing 21 sites to ensure compliance and site-level oversight.
• Adopting new fiscal controls, including independent audits, conflict-of-interest safeguards, and spending policies.

For over a decade, Highlands has served more than 10,000 adult learners annually — most of them immigrants, refugees, working parents, and reentry community members. Its mission is to provide English-language instruction, high school diplomas, and career pathways at no cost to students.

“We’re not just cleaning up the past — we’re building something new,” Raymond said. “If you care about immigrants, second chances, and California’s economy, you care about saving Highlands.”