No Halo News · Sourced development
Highlands seeks a new charter arrangement while disputing a state audit repayment demand
CalMatters reported that Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools is seeking authorization through Yuba City Unified under a new name as it moves away from Twin Rivers Unified. The development follows a 2025 state audit that reported evidence of inaccurate attendance claims, improper spending and other deficiencies and prompted a demand that Highlands repay nearly $180 million. Highlands disputes that amount and is pursuing an administrative appeal.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
Approval of a new charter could affect continued public funding, oversight responsibility and services for adult students while a major repayment dispute remains unresolved. The case also tests whether reported corrective actions are sufficient for renewed authorization.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
CalMatters reported the proposed charter move and summarized findings by the California State Auditor. Highlands Executive Director Jonathan Raymond supplied the organization’s response and disputed the repayment calculation.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not established the final amount, if any, that Highlands must repay; the outcome of its appeal; whether all claimed corrections are complete and effective; or whether Yuba City Unified will approve the proposed charter.
Right of reply
Organization response
Executive Director Jonathan Raymond said Highlands had corrected 18 audit issues, replaced unqualified teachers and separated from employees suspected of misspending. He disputed the approximately $180 million figure and said repayment at that level would bankrupt the school.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Filing. Current state: Pending. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published September 23, 2026 · Last verified September 26, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.