SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 24, 2025) — In response to the findings of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee’s (JLAC) report into Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, the school today announced a comprehensive reform agenda and the appointment of a new Executive Director to lead the institution into a new era of transparency, accountability, and service.

Jonathan Raymond, former Superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District and a nationally respected education leader, has been appointed to lead Highlands through a full-scale turnaround effort. His mandate is clear: to confront past failures, restore public confidence, and protect a critical institution that serves thousands of immigrants, adult learners, and returning citizens every year.

“The JLAC report reveals serious issues with how Highlands operated in the past,” said Executive Director Raymond. “We take these findings seriously and will not run from them. We are committed to rebuilding Highlands from the ground up — not just to fix what went wrong, but to build something better. Moving forward, we are entirely focused on our mission to serve the underserved. For the thousands of immigrants, refugees, and adults who depend on this school as a lifeline, we cannot fail. I’m here to ensure we won’t.”

Highlands serves more than 10,000 adult students each year, most of whom are immigrants, refugees, working parents, or reentry community members who have been underserved by traditional education systems. The school offers free English language learning, high school diploma programs, and career training at no cost — helping students get jobs, support their families, and contribute to California’s economy.

“We recognize the public’s interest in our operations — and they are right to demand better,” said Ernie Daniels, Highlands Board Chairman. “That’s why we are turning a new page and ushering in a new era of reform. We are confident Jonathan Raymond is the right choice to lead us through the important work ahead.”

Key Reform Actions Underway:

• Leadership Overhaul: Appointment of Jonathan Raymond as Executive Director; prior Executive Director removed; and new Board President appointed.
• Credentialing Compliance Initiative: In response to retroactive policy shifts, Highlands launched an extensive effort to ensure every teacher meets updated credentialing requirements, including:
  • Individualized compliance plans
  • New staff dedicated to credentialing support
  • A partnership with UMass Global to support intern credential pathways
  • Tuition and exam reimbursements for teachers pursuing credentials
• Workforce Restructuring: Downsized staff by more than 80%, issuing over 630 layoff notices to ensure compliance with credentialing laws.
• Site Consolidation: Closed 21 campuses where compliance and attendance integrity could not yet be guaranteed; campuses will reopen only when aligned with state law.
• Instructional Time Reform: Shifted classroom schedules to ensure attendance is logged five times per day — up from once — in response to audit findings.
• Governance and Financial Reform:
  • Adopted and revised 133 board policies to strengthen legal, academic, and fiscal operations
  • Instituted conflict-of-interest protections, anti-nepotism hiring policies, and competitive vendor selection standards
  • Centralized hiring and legal review for all contracts and procurement decisions
  • Eliminated travel and incentive spending not directly tied to instruction or compliance
• Oversight and Transparency:
  • Full cooperation with oversight authorities
  • Contracted with Charter Impact, Schoolytics, and legal counsel to enhance fiscal accountability, ADA data accuracy, and long-term sustainability

Community Leaders Speak Out in Support:

“Highlands has helped thousands of immigrants and second-chance learners. With Jonathan Raymond leading reform, I believe this institution can rebuild trust and continue serving our community with excellence.” — Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento County Supervisor, District 2

“Jonathan Raymond is one of the more thoughtful and committed education leaders I’ve ever worked with. His focus on our students and protecting taxpayers earned the respect of our parents and community. He led with courage and compassion during his time at Sac City Unified, and I’m confident he will bring that same focus on results and equity to Highlands.” — Jay Hansen, Former President, Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Trustees

“At SALAM, we’ve seen firsthand the impact Highlands has on newly arrived refugees — especially mothers learning English and preparing for employment. The mission of this school matters deeply to our community, and we support the reforms underway to ensure it can continue serving those most in need.” — Omar MoheyEldin, Chairperson of Board of Trustees, SALAM Islamic Center

“For over forty-five years, Lao Family Community Development has nurtured and supported the economic mobility and educational attainment of immigrants, refugees and low-income families in California, creating concrete pathways out of poverty to stability and success. Highlands Community Charter has been a key partner in that effort — providing adult learners in our communities with the education, language skills, and job training they need to thrive and contribute to our local economy. The future of our state relies on the contributions of financially self-sufficient families. We support the steps Highlands is taking to rebuild with integrity. We urge our state and local leaders to ensure this vital institution remains open to operate the critical education and training our most vulnerable families need to succeed.” — Kathy Chao Rothberg, CEO, Lao Family Community Development Center

“If you care about helping immigrants, refugees and others who need a second chance, and if you care about building California’s economy — then you care about saving Highlands,” said Executive Director Raymond. “We will need the support of our community, our partners in the state and local government, and every person who believes in redemption and opportunity. Together, we can build Highlands back better.’”

About Executive Director Jonathan Raymond:

Jonathan Raymond is a nationally respected education leader known for helping institutions navigate moments of deep crisis and emerge stronger, more accountable, and more student-centered.

He most recently served as Senior Vice President and Superintendent in Residence at City Year, a national youth development and education nonprofit, where he oversaw education policy and provided strategic guidance to local and national systems working at the intersection of education, equity, and workforce development.

As the Superintendent of the City School District of New Rochelle, he led the district through the final stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in whole-child supports, accelerating learning recovery, and strengthening school-community partnerships. His leadership prioritized mental health, expanded after-school and summer enrichment, and delivered resources to students most impacted by the pandemic.

Prior to that, Raymond served as Superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District, where he guided one of California’s largest urban districts through historic budget deficits, deep structural reform, and the early stages of a statewide shift toward equity-driven education. Under his leadership, the district raised graduation rates, introduced whole-child supports, launched early learning and summer programs, and transformed some of its most underserved schools into high-performing campuses — all while navigating one of the toughest fiscal climates in California history.

Raymond’s crisis-tested leadership is grounded in a lifelong commitment to public service. He previously served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, Chief Accountability Officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, and President of the Stuart Foundation, California’s largest K-12 education philanthropy. He began his career as a labor law attorney and brings legal, nonprofit, and philanthropic expertise to every challenge.

He is a graduate of the Broad Superintendents Academy, holds a JD from George Mason University School of Law, an MA from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a BA from Tufts University. He also completed the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Throughout his work, Raymond has earned a reputation for putting students first, building trust in fractured environments, and helping systems rise from instability to renewal. As the newly appointed Executive Director of Highlands Community Charter, he brings that same steady hand to a school community that is ready to rebuild and thrive.