Escuela Avancemos! Academy

Minutes

Escuela Avancemos Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday July 22, 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, E. Reed, J. Joubert, L. Coggins, Michelle Kerry-Khatib, 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 Jul 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM.

II. Approval of Agenda

A.

Approval of Agenda

A. Bordeianu made a motion to approve the Escuela Avancemos Academy Regular Board Meeting agenda on July 22, 2025.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye

III. Consent Agenda Item

A.

Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes

L. Chittum made a motion to approve the minutes from Escuela Avancemos Annual Board Meeting on 06-24-25.
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

IV. New Business

A.

Board of Directors Reappointment Nomination Resolution - Linda Chittum

M. Gonzalez made a motion to reappoint Linda Chittum as the Board Treasurer.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gonzalez
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
C. Stamatin
Aye

B.

Election of Officers

L. Chittum made a motion to make no changes to the Academy Board directors previously elected officers.
A. Bordeianu seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Chittum
Aye
M. Gonzalez
Aye
A. Bordeianu
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
C. Stamatin
Aye

C.

Spring 2025 National Charter Schools Institute Board Polices

A. Bordeianu made a motion to adopt the Spring 2025 National Charter Schools Institute Board Policies as presented.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.

0131.1   Charter Contract Bylaws and Board Operating Policies
2340      Field and Other Academy-Sponsored Trips
5320      Immunization
5330      Use of Medications
5330.01 Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
8500      Food Services
8510      Wellness
5136      Personal Communication Devices
5330.02 Opioid Antagonists

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

D.

Approval of the 2025-2026 School Calendar

A. Bordeianu made a motion to to approve the 2025-2026 amended school calendar as presented.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bordeianu
Aye
L. Chittum
Aye
C. Stamatin
Aye
M. Barbour
Absent
M. Gonzalez
Aye

V. Reports

A.

June Financials

June 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. Dr. Lorilyn Coggins provided a summary to the board on the status of state and federal funding. She noted that more detailed information will be shared once further guidance is received from the government.

B.

21st Century Community Learning Centers

Michelle Kerry-Khatib, representative of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), presented updates on program funding provided through grants from the Michigan Department of Education and MiLEAP. She expressed gratitude for the continued support from school leadership and administration.

Ana Ulloa commended Ms. Kerry-Khatib for organizing a well-rounded program, and acknowledged the contributions of Elizabeth Rodriguez, who has done an exceptional job recruiting students and maintaining strong relationships with families.

C.

Sanga Monthly Management Report

Ana Ulloa and Erika Reed presented the Sanga Monthly Management Report to the Board. Key highlights included:

Kindergarten Bootcamp is being developed to help our youngest learners transition smoothly into the school environment and begin their WIDA Kindergarten Screenings.

 

August Staff Professional Development (PD) Days will include:

A welcome back session and review of employee expectations

Trainings by vendors on PowerSchool, Blocksi (new student internet monitoring software), Eureka Math², Success for All, CPR certification training, Differentiated PD opportunities via the Marzano platform.

 

Instructional Program Enhancements:
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Middle School will transition to a 7-period day, with each period lasting 50 minutes. Students will receive content-specific instruction in:

Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies, Science, Spanish, PE/Health, Study Hall (targeted support in Reading and Math).

 

The 2025–2026 Assessment Schedule has been streamlined to reduce testing fatigue.

NWEA testing will be conducted in Fall and Spring only (meeting CMU requirements)

i-Ready Diagnostics will be used mid-year for progress monitoring. State-mandated assessments and WIDA Screeners will continue for eligible students.

 

Enrollment & Staffing Updates:

Current student enrollment stands at 393, with expectations to reach 400 in the coming weeks.

A recent decline in enrollment (approximately 20 students) is attributed to the current political climate and last year’s staff turnover.

Staffing changes in the Second Grade have been made to support academic growth.

Classroom relocations are underway: Modular 1 will house Kindergarten, while Modular 2 will serve 1st and 2nd grades. This move enhances safety and reduces the need for students to transition between buildings during Success For All instruction.

To address staffing needs and reduce reliance on external substitutes, three full-time in-house building substitutes have been hired. These individuals are trained in the academy's curriculum and expectations.

 

Professional Growth and Grant Initiatives:

The academy is leveraging a grant to provide TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification training for teachers, supporting growth in English Learner instruction and advancing collective instructional efficacy.

 

Facilities Update:

Bass Controls will be onsite this week to replace HVAC classroom controllers in rooms 203 and 028 to ensure optimal temperature regulation.

Playground repairs are scheduled to begin within the next few weeks, pending the delivery of necessary supplies.

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, provided a reminder to the Board of Directors and school leadership regarding the upcoming 2025 Annual Conference. The conference is scheduled to take place on August 14, 2025, at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan, with a reception event scheduled for the evening prior. Attendance at the conference will count toward required professional development hours for board members.

B.

Escuela Avancemos! Academy Board of Directors Updates

The Board of Directors of Escuela Avancemos Academy also expressed their excitement for the return of Krista Helmore, who will be rejoining the academy as the Instructional Leader for Kindergarten through 4th grade. The Board extended its sincere gratitude to Dr. Coggins for the continued support through state and federal funding initiatives.

The Board appreciates being kept well-informed and encourages continued focus on the school’s mission and academic objectives. With a shared passion for delivering a high-quality education, the Board looks forward to a successful and impactful school year ahead.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Reconfirmation of Next Board Meeting

Tuesday, August 26, 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 7:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. Johnson