The Wild West of Education: Nowhere to go | Ep. 4 of an ABC10 Originals investigation

“It’s absurd it’s had to come to this: to going to the media," a current Highlands teacher said. “When people have been trying, for about a decade, to get attention about what’s really happening.”
Over 30 Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools current and former employees came to ABC10 over the year we’ve been investigating - many called the charter school by the nickname, “the wild west.” Their boss is on all HR emails. Records show the school’s board is rarely asked to approve spending. And the agency that’s supposed to provide regulation over Highlands, Twin Rivers Unified School District, gets millions of dollars from the charter school and has never visited a school site outside Sacramento.
Only after ABC10’s outreach and questions to the California Department of Education did they launch an internal review of the charter school. Our investigation gives a voice to employees who’ve felt trapped over the last decade and questions local and state agencies responsible for the oversight as critics say these agencies are not regulating the charter school.
This is an ABC10 Originals four-part investigation.
You can watch all four episodes here, www.abc10.com/highlands
You can read the full story for episode four here, www.abc10.com/article/news/in...
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[@riseandfall...]

Thank you for doing this type of reporting.

[@BOWSAW62]

I would not consider the County Board of Education to oversee this situation as a number of board members have a history of "charter" associations. Besides, they have been incorrect in their assessments of the financial situations of the public sector of which they are charged.

[@erinmcdonald7781]

This story highlights some of the glaring issues with charter schools, the biggest being money. It seems that this school and a few others that I'm aware of are able to skirt normal oversight. The fact that the districts get kickbacks still doesnt compensate for taxpayer money being diverted from public schools. The way I see it, if there is need for a school like Highlands in the community, then it should be run by the district.
Also, I've noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap allowed in positions, administrators allowed to be board members, board members employed in both districts, as well as members/emplpoyees serving in multiple positions. These overlaps create conflicts of interest, ingrained bias, and even corruption. These bodies are not meant to be clubs or cliques, where everyone just pats each other on the back. Each of these organizations is actually supposed to function as checks and balances in ensuring the best outcome for the students, including follow through on goals and making sure teaher have the needed materials and support to do their jobs. Honestly, inquiring minds want to know how these board members got their jobs. Were the flakes actually voted in?? That would b a good follow-up investigation, especially considering the incredible amouts of money that have "disappeared" from Stockton Unified. At least one of the superintendents was shady and a charter school shill with adubious reputation, and yet he was hired(!) We need you to keep up these investigative stories until we get transparency, accountability, integrity, and the schools we need, ones focused on our students' education.
Thank you. 🍏📚

[@sequoia9688]

He should be in jail! Or give away everything you stole! He simply created a rich life for himself and his friends, at the expense of taxpayers

[@tiffanydivine7957]

What did he steal?

[@patriciapeinado5890]

Paaa--blo. Pah-blow. Is he a native Californian? Who says Paaa-blo?

[@strayCATchillspot]