Many of you may know that PS7 and Sac High are working with the Sacramento City Unified School District to renew their charters so they can continue operating as public charter schools.  Both schools serve a high percentage of African American, Hispanic/Latino and low income students and for over 20 years they have been successfully closing the opportunity gap. The SCUSD Board of Education will be voting on the charter renewals on September 19. Below is information from Cassandra Jennings about her changing role at St. HOPE Public Schools:

“Through my current role as President & CEO of St. HOPE, I have and will continue to deliver on its mission and my life’s purpose of community service, and am proud of the work we are doing. I have also been serving in a volunteer role on the Board of Directors for St. HOPE Public Schools (SHPS). These are two different roles, with two different sets of responsibilities.

In recent weeks my volunteer position on the St. HOPE school board has unfortunately become a distraction. Despite the fact that I took that role after seeking legal guidance to ensure it was proper and did not pose a conflict of interest, my dual role is being mischaracterized. A misguided narrative about my involvement with the school board is complicating the charter renewal process for PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School, and taking the spotlight away from the great work the schools are doing each and every day.  

As such, I have decided to step down from the St. HOPE Public Schools Board of Directors, effective September 30, 2024. My commitment to the work will continue to be as strong as ever, and I will remain as President & CEO of St. HOPE Academy and St. HOPE Development Company. 

My transition off the SHPS Board will allow me to continue the important work we are doing at the St. HOPE non-profits, serve the community and fulfill our commitments without the opportunity for critics to question my motives or my roles. 

I joined the school board because I care deeply about the success of our scholars and am proud of the meaningful work the teachers and staff are doing to level the playing field for Black, Hispanic and marginalized scholars.  I believe that education is the path to social and economic mobility and that academic excellence should not be defined by what zip code you live in. I am proud to have served on the board of St. HOPE Public Schools and our accomplishments in just two years: new partnerships, construction of a new elementary school (in progress), dual enrollment in-person program (the only one in the District), increased enrollment,  two consecutive basketball sectional championships, Robust summer school and camp, Black History and Hispanic Heritage months programs, numerous awards, 100% of 2024 graduating seniors to meet UC/CSU eligibility requirements, and much more.

Throughout its history, St. HOPE’s focus has been on increasing access and exposure to opportunity. That is why I took the job as President & CEO three years ago and I am committed to continue working to uplift the Oak Park community and beyond through our many different initiatives at St. HOPE. While we have achieved many successes, I believe there is still more work to be done and I look forward to continuing to serve our community.”