\u201cThese decisions were extremely difficult and were driven by operational and financial realities as the organization continues its restructuring and long-term stabilization efforts under new leadership,\u201d Jonathan Raymond, the executive director of Highlands said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The layoff notices were sent out to employees on May 26, according to Highlands.<\/p>\n
The schools came under scrutiny last year after it was revealed by the state auditor that they had received $180 million for which they were not eligible and had engaged in wasteful spending and inappropriate hiring practices.<\/p>\n
The spending included roughly $2 million on employee trips to San Diego, $80,000 for travel to Maui and $2,600 for a trip to France. The findings led Twin Rivers Unified School District to vote in January to revoke the school\u2019s charter.<\/p>\n
But the Sacramento County Board of Education later reversed the revocation in a close vote, with four trustees siding with the TRUSD staff\u2019s recommendation that the schools had addressed the violations and should keep their charters.<\/p>\n
The charter faced a sharp drop in enrolled students following the audit findings, with thousands placed on a waiting list. Capital Public Radio<\/a> reported in September that only 1,900 students were able to enroll that school year, down from 13,700 students previously.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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