August 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 reported that the State of Michigan’s budget had not been approved at the time of the meeting. She assured the Board that the academy’s fund balance is sufficient to sustain payroll, bills, and supplies, ensuring operations can continue uninterrupted until the State of Michigan approves the budget.

Elizabeth Rodriguez, 21st CCLC Site Coordinator, presented the monthly programming and budget report. The after-school program officially launched on September 22, 2025, with 30 students enrolled. The program’s primary focus is to provide academic support aligned with the academy’s English Language Arts and Math curriculum, along with structured homework assistance.

Fall programming will continue to expand through active engagement with community-based partners and the scheduling of enrichment vendors throughout the school year. Current offerings include basketball and soccer. Additional support is being provided through Central Michigan University’s virtual literacy tutoring and mentorship from the STEP-UP program in collaboration with the University of Detroit Mercy. A potential music program is also being considered, with the goal of launching after the holiday break.

Erika Reed, School Principal, presented the Sanga monthly management report. She shared that the academy successfully opened on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The first week of school emphasized routines and procedures to support students’ smooth transition back into classrooms.

This year, middle school students are following a seven-period schedule, including classroom transitions. With the addition of a PE/Health teacher, students now have opportunities for outdoor activities. Success for All instruction continues to be delivered in ability groups. Given the strong growth observed last year through this practice, combined with iReady interventions, ability grouping is now also being expanded into math instruction using Eureka Math Squared.

Three Spanish teachers have been hired, which allows for Spanish for all grade levels. Instructional Coaches have launched a defined coaching program utilizing the resource Get Better Faster: A 90-Day Plan for Coaching New Teachers. In addition, the School Social Worker is providing staff with weekly PowerPoint resources to support Morning Meetings and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum across all grade levels. Weekly staff and parent newsletters continue to be shared by the school principal.

All Kindergarten through 8th-grade WIDA Screeners have been completed and scored. Parent notification letters were sent to families of students qualifying as Limited English Proficient. A 2024–2025 WIDA Data table was shared with the Board of Directors.

Board Vice President Bordeianu requested a grade-level breakdown of WIDA data. Ms. Reed acknowledged the request and will present the information at the next board meeting.

Board Treasurer Chittum inquired about the impact of WIDA testing on students. Ms. Reed explained that students are encouraged to develop both English and Spanish proficiency, which broadens access to the curriculum.

Fall 2025–2026 iReady Diagnostic data for Reading and Math were also shared. Results showed strong performance in phonics and high-frequency words, with vocabulary and comprehension as areas for growth. In math, students performed consistently across all domains, with slightly stronger results in Algebra and Algebraic Thinking. An overview of the MiSchool Data Parent Dashboard was shared.  Vice President Bordeianu expressed appreciation for the hiring of three Spanish teachers.

The Special Education Department is off to a strong start. The Resource Room teacher is actively providing services aligned with IEP goals and minutes. To ensure compliance, a calendar has been developed to monitor and track all IEP deadlines. Student accommodations have been communicated to teachers to ensure consistent implementation across classrooms.

As of the meeting date, student enrollment stands at 389, with an average daily attendance rate of 95% or higher. Board Member Joubert asked what enrollment number the budget is based on. Dr. Coggins confirmed the budget reflects 400 students. Board Secretary Barbour inquired about the reasons for decreased enrollment this year. Dr. Coggins cited factors such as political climate, student relocations, and transfers to neighborhood schools.

The academy is fully staffed, with 12 certified teachers (55%) and 10 non-certified teachers. Of the non-certified staff, 5 (23%) are currently enrolled in alternative certification programs. Special recognition was given to Shan’Ta Johnson for her efforts in talent scouting and ensuring the school is fully staffed. To strengthen retention, Mrs. Johnson has begun conducting new hire check-ins to ensure staff feel supported and have access to needed resources and training.

Staff participated in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino professional development. This PD explored Nuestras Voces, a middle-grade fiction series highlighting the Latinx experience in American history, and provided strategies for creating inclusive exhibitions and classroom instruction. The session concluded with discussions around culture and “cultural home.” 

The academy continues to partner with retired State Trooper Walter Crider to prepare for student safety presentations. OK2SAY, a confidential safety program, will be rolled out to students. Parent notification and opt-out letters, translated by Ana Ulloa, have been approved by OK2SAY and will be sent to families this week. 

In collaboration with Central Michigan University (CMU), the Fire Up! campus experience will be brought directly to the academy in June.

Dr. Coggins reported that the Instructional Leadership Team is drafting 2025–2026 school improvement goals, with a submission deadline of September 30, 2025, in the MiCIP platform. The focus will remain on improving ELA and math achievement while supporting English Learners’ language growth.

The academy submitted its 2025–2026 Consolidated Application for Title I on July 31, 2025. After revisions, the application is now in “Program Office Review Complete” status, though the State of Michigan’s budget remains pending.

The City of Detroit playground inspection has been completed, confirming that all equipment and areas are safe for student use. Vice President Bordeianu suggested adding the academy’s mission statement and character pillars in Spanish throughout the school building.  

The principal also shared first-week photos of classroom engagement and initiatives aimed at cultivating community, unity, and school pride among staff and students.

None at this time.

Ms. Jennifer Joubert presented the 2024–2025 Academic Performance Report. During the discussion, Board Secretary Barbour noted that many students enter the academy with little to no English proficiency and with low literacy backgrounds. To support a shared understanding across the organization, Ms. Joubert suggested creating a concise “Who We Are” one-page document for staff. This resource would highlight key data points, current academic performance levels, and growth goals to ensure alignment and clarity around the academy’s academic objectives.

The Board of Directors expressed strong appreciation for the progress and stability demonstrated at Escuela Avancemos Academy. Highlights included: Enthusiasm for the clean financial audit and the ongoing success of the 21st CCLC program.

Recognition of the school’s financial stability and staffing consistency, noting the positive impact of having the same principal in place at the academy.  Acknowledgment that while the work is challenging, it remains deeply rewarding. Board members encouraged continued efforts to expose students to diverse postsecondary pathways, including high schools, colleges, and trade schools. Suggestions included hosting a Career Day and seeking out free museum field trip opportunities to provide hands-on experiences and broaden student exposure.

The Board commended staff for their hard work in launching the school year successfully and for their commitment to supporting teachers. Members noted a strong sense of stability, cohesiveness, and shared purpose among the leadership and instructional teams.

Board President Stamatin recommended creating an Escuela Avancemos Alumni Group to stay connected with graduates of the academy. Alumni could be invited to return and share their experiences, serving as role models and offering inspiration to current students.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos! Academy.