Escuela Avancemos! Academy

Minutes

Escuela Avancemos Annual Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday June 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Location

Escuela Avancemos Academy

2635 Howard St

Detroit, MI  48216

Room:  105

MISSION STATEMENT:  Prepare, educate, and inspire every child, every day to be lifelong leaders and learners in our 21st-century world.
 

Directors Present

A. Bordeianu, C. Stamatin, L. Chittum, M. Gonzalez

Directors Absent

M. Barbour

Guests Present

A. Ulloa, Erika Reed, J. Joubert, L. Coggins, S. Johnson

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. Stamatin called a meeting of the board of directors of Escuela Avancemos! Academy to order on Tuesday Jun 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM.

II. Approval of Agenda

A.

Approval of Agenda

A. Bordeianu made a motion to approve the Escuela Avancemos Academy Annual Board Meeting agenda on June 24, 2025.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye

III. Consent Agenda Item

A.

Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes

M. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the minutes from Escuela Avancemos Regular Board Meeting on 05-20-25.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Barbour
Absent
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye

IV. New Business

A.

Central Michigan University – Contract Amendment Request: Educational Program, Curriculum, and Course Matrix

L. Chittum made a motion to adopt TCI as the K-8 Social Studies curriculum and replace Eureka Math with Eureka Math Squared.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent

B.

Mobile Modulars Lease Agreements Update

M. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the lease addendums that extend the modular lease terms through June 30, 2029.
A. Bordeianu seconded the motion.

Ana Ulloa informed the Board that the St. Anne Basilica of Detroit campus is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation and restoration. Monsignor Chuck Kosanke has confirmed that the academy’s lease agreement remains secure, and the new ownership has no intention of making changes to the current lease terms.

Ms. Ulloa recommended that the Board consider forming a School Building Committee in the upcoming year to begin exploring future facility options, in preparation for the lease expiration.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye

C.

Election of Officers

A. Bordeianu made a motion to postpone the Election of Officers until the next scheduled board meeting to ensure that all current officers have the opportunity to vote. The current officers will remain in place until the election is held.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent

D.

Approval of Board Corresponding Agent

L. Chittum made a motion to appoint Shan'Ta Johnson as the Board's Corresponding Agent.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye

E.

Approval of McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Liaison

M. Gonzalez made a motion to appoint the School Social Worker as the Homeless Children and Youth Liaison.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye

F.

Approval of Chief Administrative Officer Designation

A. Bordeianu made a motion to appoint the Board Treasurer, Linda Chittu,m as the Chief Administrative Officer.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent

G.

Approval of Title IX Representative

L. Chittum made a motion to appoint Lorilyn Coggins as the academy's Title IX Representative.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye

H.

Approval of Designation of Legal Counsel

M. Gonzalez made a motion to appoint Dickinson Wright PLLC to represent the academy in all ongoing legal business matters.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye

I.

Approval of Freedom of Information Act Representative

A. Bordeianu made a motion to appoint Shan'Ta Johnson as the Freedom of Information Act Representative.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye

J.

Approval of the Office of Civil Rights Representative

A. Bordeianu made a motion to to appoint the Chief Academic Officer as the academy's Civil Rights Representative.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Barbour
Absent
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye

K.

Approval of School Safety Liaison

M. Gonzalez made a motion to appoint Ana Ulloa as the School Safety Commission Liaison.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye

L.

Resolution Authorization for Removal and Decommissioning of End-Of-Life Devices

L. Chittum made a motion to approve the authorization for the removal and decommissioning of inoperative technology equipment devices.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Stamatin
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent

M.

Approval of the 2024-2025 Amended Budget

M. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Amended Budget.
A. Bordeianu seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye

N.

Approval of the 2025-2026 Projected Operating Budget

L. Chittum made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 Projected Operating Budget.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye

V. Reports

A.

May Financials

May 2025 financial reports were presented by Dr. Lorilyn Coggins, highlighting cash on hand, year-to-date revenues, year-to-date expenditures, and the current fund balance in a summarized format. The financials are in order.

B.

21st Century Community Learning Centers

Members of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) after-school program did not attend; however, they submitted the monthly program and budget report for the Board’s review.

C.

Sanga Monthly Management Report

Ana Ulloa, CEO, and Erika Reed, Instructional Coach, presented the monthly management report on behalf of Sanga Consulting, Inc. Comparative NWEA data (Grades K–8) from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 showed significant improvement in Reading, while Math scores remained relatively the same.    Emphasis was placed on the need to prioritize staff professional development for Eureka Math Squared, while continuing to enhance literacy efforts.   A data snapshot was presented to the Board highlighting academic growth and achievement.  Board Vice President Andreea Bordeianu requested that future data presentations include descriptive labels to ensure clarity and understanding. Jennifer Joubert inquired if the board would receive NWEA data reports ahead of the Academic Performance Report (APR) published by the Center.  Dr. Lorilyn Coggins clarified that the data is pulled directly from NWEA and provides a whole-school data synopsis.  Ana Ulloa credited the 50% growth in student achievement to efforts led by Alex Weberman, Erika Reed, the implementation of i-Ready, school-wide incentives, and structural changes following the departure of Steven Elam. Erika Reed will present a 2024–2025 School Year Reflection at the next board meeting as part of the Sanga Monthly Management Report.

Staffing Updates: Dean of Students Derrick Davis resigned on June 17, 2025.

New hires include:

       Certified Resource Room Teacher

       Instructional Leader with ESL endorsement (Lower Elementary)

       School Social Worker

       K–5 Spanish Teacher

       Building Substitute

       Certified 2nd Grade Teacher

Effective July 1, 2025:

Dr. Lorilyn Coggins will officially join the Sanga Consulting team as Chief Academic Officer.

Erika Reed will assume the role of Executive Director (Head of School).

Alex Weberman will become the Upper Elementary/Middle School Instructional Leader.

A revised organizational chart will be presented at an upcoming board meeting.  Sanga Consulting, Inc. remains committed to recruiting highly qualified educators aligned with the mission and values of Escuela Avancemos Academy.

The school year concluded with multiple end-of-year celebrations for students and staff. The leadership team is focused on building a welcoming and inspiring school culture throughout;

Classroom repainting, murals, and clearly posted student expectations throughout the building

The 2025–2026 school year’s character pillar is "Respect: Respect yourself, others, and property."

Board President Cristina Stamatin requested that quotes for carpet replacement be submitted for review.

VI. Extended Public Comment:

A.

This public comment section is reserved for all remaining comments.

None at this time.

VII. Board Comments

A.

Authorizer Comments

Jennifer Joubert, Field Operations School Lead from the Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University, reminded the Board and school leadership of the upcoming 2025 Annual Conference, scheduled for August 14, 2025, at Huntington Place in Detroit, MI, with a reception event the evening prior. She also noted that Board Member Linda Chittum’s term is due to expire soon, and as such, the Oath of Public Office must be administered ahead of time for her reappointment.

B.

Escuela Avancemos! Academy Board of Directors Updates

The Board of Directors expressed their appreciation for the enthusiasm, collaboration, and commitment consistently demonstrated by the school leadership team. They commended the passion and unity exemplified in the work being done, noting that Escuela Avancemos Academy continues to be an inspiring institution, and it is rewarding to see how the vision is coming together.

Special thanks were extended to Ana Ulloa, Shan’Ta Johnson, Dr. Lorilyn Coggins, and Erika Reed for their leadership and contributions in helping put the puzzle pieces in place.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Reconfirmation of Next Board Meeting

Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos Academy.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. Johnson