Escuela Avancemos! Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting (Virtual)
Date and Time
Tuesday September 22, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Location
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 304-691-0174
PIN: 884 934 066#
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 (remote), C. Stamatin (remote), L. Chittum (remote), M. Barbour (remote), M. Gonzalez (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Ulloa (remote), Dahime Gordon (remote), J. Joubert (remote), L. Coggins (remote), L. McClintic (remote), Larry Wilkerson (remote), S. Johnson (remote), S. Yassine (remote)
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 Sep 22, 2020 at 6:30 PM.
II. Approval of Agenda
A.
Approval of Agenda
A. Bordeianu made a motion to approve September 22, 2002 board meeting agenda.
M. Barbour seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
III. Consent Agenda Item
A.
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
L. Chittum made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 08-25-20.
M. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
IV. New Business
A.
Financial Audit presented by Wilkerson & Associate P.C.
Financial audit for the year ended June 30, 2020 was presented by Larry Wilkerson of Wilkerson & Associates, P.C. The audit went according to plan with no findings and it was noted that the Academy's fund balance exceeded its budget. The Academy has a 15% fund balance threshold which is required by the Michigan Department of Education. The Academy's budget is healthy per Mr. Wilkerson.
B.
Account Designation Resolution
L. Chittum made a motion to approve the Account Designation Resolution to change from Comerica Bank to Chase Bank.
M. Barbour seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
C.
Escuela Avancemos! Contract Amendment No. 5 Approval
M. Barbour made a motion to approve the Escuela Avancemos! Contract Amendment No. 5 as presented.
L. Chittum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
D.
Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan
M. Barbour made a motion to approve the Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan and Approval of Charter Contract Amendment.
A. Bordeianu seconded the motion.
Stephanie Yassine informed the board that Central Michigan University has reviewed the plan and noted some minor grammatical corrections which were made. Dr. Lorilyn Coggins pointed out to the Board of Trustees that one of the assurances noted in the Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan is that the Academy will ensure that two (2) 2-way interactions occur between a pupil enrolled in the Academy and the pupil’s teacher or at least one (1) of the pupil’s teachers during each week of the school year for at least 75% of the pupils enrolled in the Academy. The Academy will publicly announce its weekly interaction rates at each Academy Board meeting where it reconfirms how instruction is being delivered beginning 30 days after approval of its Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan, and every 30 days thereafter. The Academy will make those rates available through the transparency reporting link located on the Academy website each month for the 2020-2021 school year.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
| C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
| M. Barbour |
Aye
|
| L. Chittum |
Aye
|
| M. Gonzalez |
Aye
|
V. Reports
A.
21st Century Community Learning Centers Monthly Report
Dahime Gordon presented to the Board of Directors the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program updates and expense report.
B.
Charter Schools Program Grant Monthly Report
Dr. Lorilyn Coggins presented to the Board of Directors an overview of the Charter School Program Grant data that is required to be presented monthly at each board meeting.
C.
AUGUST FINANCIALS
August 2020 financial reports were presented to the Board of Trustees 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.
D.
Sanga Monthly Management Report
The Sanga Monthly Management report was presented by Lyndsey McClintic, Instructional Leader, Stephanie Yassine, Executive Director, and Ana Ulloa, CEO. Ms. McClintic shared the Academy's academics, assessment, and bi-literacy updates. The Academy has started the school year off with a strong focus on community building and social and emotional learning. As expected, the Academy families had some technical issues. However, the front office staff, support staff, teachers, and leaders all banded together to solve the technical issues one on one with families. Stephanie Yassine and Ana Ulloa presented the remaining sections of the Sanga Monthly Report. All students have received 1:1 technology in the form of a Chromebook or tablet to support the facilitation of remote learning. The academy is still waiting to receive the shipment of computers provided by the Detroit Children's Fund. Sanga supplemented with the purchase of tablets to ensure 1:1 technology was provided to all enrolled students. The academy staff and students are following the COVID-19 safety precautions daily. The school's elevator has had maintenance issues due to DTE work that was occurring in the neighborhood. This was impacting the electrical lines and thus required maintenance. The elevator has since been repaired. Madam Vice President Andreea Bordeianu posed a question to the team, what measures are being used to support the teacher's with team building. Ms. McClintic responded to the question, The Academy's Student Support Specialist Wendy Cortes is taking the lead on conducting staff listening sessions and optional social gatherings.
VI. Extended Public Comment:
A.
This public comment section is reserved for all remaining comments.
No extended public comments at this time.
VII. Board Comments
A.
Authorizer Comments
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools Central Michigan University Field Operations School Lead Jennifer Joubert welcomed the team to contact her regarding any questions that may arise. A couple of minor changes were needed for the Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan that were due to the center by October 1, 2020. A special thanks to Board Trustee Mariva Gonzalez and Madam President Cristina Stamatin for registering for the upcoming CMU Board Development Session. Central Michigan University school support visit (virtual setting) is scheduled for October 27, 2020. The Board of Trustees Board on Track commitment is coming soon and the invoice will be forwarded to Shan'Ta Johnson.
B.
Escuela Avancemos! Academy Board of Directors Comments
The Board of Trustees expressed their pride for the Academy and its leadership and staff and are very grateful to be part of this Board. Words of appreciation to the Sanga Management Team and Dr. Lorilyn Coggins were expressed.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Reconfirmation of Next Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos! Academy; 2635 Howard St Detroit, MI 48216.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Johnson