Escuela Avancemos! Academy
Minutes
Escuela Avancemos Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 20, 2026 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. Barbour, M. Gonzalez
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Ulloa, Ahmed Bitar, Beatriz Hill, Dawn Carrillo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, J. Joubert, Jared Christensen, Kaela Boyd, L. Coggins, Larry Wilkerson, S. Johnson, Saniqua Humes, Shannon Barnes
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
A.
Approval of Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
III. Consent Agenda Item
A.
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
IV. Public Comment on Agenda Items Only
A.
Public Comments
V. New Business
A.
Financial Annual Audit Presentation by Wilkerson & Associate P.C.
Larry Wilkerson presented the Academy’s financial audit report, including the financial statements and related information. The audit reported no findings and reflected a healthy financial and budgetary position. The Board thanked Mr. Wilkerson for his thorough work, and he acknowledged Dr. Lorilyn Coggins and her team for their timely cooperation.
Mr. Wilkerson reviewed the upcoming implementation of GASB Statement No. 105, Subsequent Events, which will affect the Academy’s next audit cycle by addressing certain events occurring after the fiscal year-end and before the financial statements are issued.
Board Treasurer Linda Chittum confirmed that she reviewed the audit and discussed its contents with Mr. Wilkerson and Dr. Coggins, and reported no questions or concerns. In response to Board President Cristina Stamatin’s inquiry, the Board discussed annual financial audit requirements for Michigan public school entities.
The Board acknowledged the importance of annual audits in promoting financial transparency, fiscal accountability, and effective governance.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
B.
2025-2026 Academic Performance Report
Jennifer Joubert, Field Operations School Lead, The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools, Central Michigan University (CMU), presented the 2025–2026 Academic Performance Report and reviewed the Center’s three primary areas of focus: student learning, the Academy’s viability as a learning environment, and the Academy’s operation in good faith.
Ana Ulloa shared observations regarding declining enrollment, noting that the current political climate and some families’ preference for online learning due to safety concerns may be contributing factors. Ms. Joubert recommended that the Academy maintain thorough and consistent documentation regarding enrollment trends to support internal records and future reporting.
Board Vice President Andreea Bordeianu emphasized the importance of exercising caution when discussing specific circumstances related to declining enrollment during public meetings to ensure compliance with applicable student privacy protections, including FERPA, and public-records requirements under FOIA.
C.
Motion to Enter Closed Session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
D.
Closed Session
The Board entered closed session at 7:07 p.m.
E.
Motion to Return to Open Session
The Board returned to Open Session at 7:31 pm.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
F.
Motion to Approve the Response to Central Michigan University's
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
VI. Reports
A.
September Financials
September 2026 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
Elizabeth Rodriguez presented an update on the 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school program. Enrollment continues to increase steadily, with 38 students currently participating and two additional applications awaiting processing.
The program continues to collaborate with community organizations to provide a well-rounded after-school experience that promotes academic growth, creativity, exploration, and personal development.
Program highlights included:
Coding: ALLY Learning introduced coding activities, which have been well received by students.
Athletics: The soccer season began earlier than in previous school years, with increased participation among girls.
Academic Focus: The program has placed an increased emphasis on mathematics to strengthen student learning and achievement.
Transportation: Transportation remains a challenge for some families.
C.
Sanga Monthly Management Report
Dawn Carrillo presented the Sanga Monthly Management Report. The report was informational, and no Board action was requested.
Enrollment as of October 9, 2026: 373 students.
Fall Count Day attendance on October 7, 2026: 100%.
Average daily attendance, October 1–8: 97.82%, ranging from 95.04% in Grade 3 to 99.56% in Grade 1.
English Learners (ELs): 245 students, representing approximately 66% of enrollment, have an established WIDA proficiency level. Screening for 86 new or pending students remains in progress.
Special Education: 19 students are receiving services. Two new special education evaluation referrals and one referral for Section 504 accommodations were reported.
Assessment and Academic Growth
NWEA Fall Assessment: Testing was scheduled for October 5–23, 2026. Grades 3–5 completed testing during the first week, and middle school testing took place during the week of October 12. Results will inform intervention groups and winter growth goals. A summary of the findings will be presented to the Board at the next meeting.
Spring 2026 M-STEP Growth: The Academy reported a median Student Growth Percentile (SGP) of 71 in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, exceeding the typical-growth benchmark of 50 across all grades tested. Overall, 55% of students met their ELA growth targets, compared with 36% in mathematics. Grade 4 mathematics was identified as an area requiring additional attention, with 20% of students meeting their growth targets.
Ana Ulloa provided insight into the Academy’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all students receive appropriate interventions and differentiated instruction implemented with fidelity.
The Academy continues to provide English Language Development (ELD) services based on students’ WIDA proficiency levels.
Level 1: 52 students (21% of English Learners), requiring 300 minutes of ELD instruction per week.
Levels 2–4: 193 students (79% of English Learners), requiring 150 minutes of ELD instruction per week.
Screening: WIDA Screener assessments for 86 new or pending students remain in progress.
Instructional grouping: Learning-lab groups are organized by WIDA proficiency level, with i-Ready data used as a secondary source of information.
Irina Kuzminskaya, the Academy’s new ELD teacher, began employment on October 5, 2026. She's providing push-in services in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms and serving a combined second-grade group.
The Academy currently serves 19 students receiving special education services. October activities included three annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, one triennial evaluation, two new special education evaluation referrals, and one Section 504 referral.
Since July 1, the Academy has submitted 22 compliance items to Central Michigan University. Of these, 21 were submitted on time, 21 were reported as accurate, and two remain pending acceptance.
Staffing: No staff vacancies were reported.
The Board was informed that the Academy’s employment contract with the Superintendent was terminated effective October 7, 2026. The interim leadership structure previously presented to the Board is now serving as the Academy’s active leadership team. Dawn Carrillo is listed with Central Michigan University as the Academy’s Building Administrator. Saniqua Humes, K–8 Math Coach, has enrolled in the Pathway to Leadership program to pursue school administrator certification, with funding provided through the Grow Your Own grant.
A revised organizational chart will be distributed to the Board of Directors by email.
VII. Extended Public Comment:
A.
This public comment section is reserved for all remaining comments.
None at this time.
VIII. Board Comments
A.
Authorizer Comments
Jennifer Joubert reported that Board Vice President Andreea Bordeianu and Board Secretary Monica Barbour have completed the requirements for reappointment. Their reappointment paperwork will be formally presented at the CMU Board of Trustees meeting in Mount Pleasant on November 19, 2026.
Ms. Joubert also discussed the annual Fire Up Chips event, which provides CMU-authorized schools with an opportunity to visit the university campus. The Academy has not registered for the event.
Ana Ulloa and Dr. Coggins reiterated concerns previously raised regarding the limited time students would spend on campus before needing to return to the Academy for dismissal and transportation. The timing could affect transportation routes and potentially delay departures for other students. Sanga will explore options to make participation feasible and meaningful for students.
Ms. Joubert agreed to provide the Board with CMU resources regarding Board governance and committee structures.
B.
Escuela Avancemos! Academy Board of Directors Updates
Board President Cristina Stamatin expressed appreciation for the comprehensive response and information provided in the Sanga Management Report.
Moving forward, the Board’s meeting agendas should include reports from individual Board committees to strengthen communication, accountability, and meeting efficiency. The Academic Committee’s report-out should include Board Vice President Andreea Bordeianu.
The Board also discussed scheduling brief, approximately 30-minute virtual meetings with the Board member serving on an individual committee. These meetings are intended to support committee coordination, facilitate preparation for Board meetings, and ensure that committee discussions and recommendations are communicated efficiently.
The purpose of the committee structure is to improve the effectiveness of Board meetings, support focused discussion, and ensure that the Board can fulfill its governance and oversight responsibilities.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Reconfirmation of Next Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos Academy.
None at this time.