On behalf of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Site Program Directors, Stephanie Yassine, Sanga Management Executive Director provided programming and budget updates to the Academy's board. Upon the return from Spring Break, Kindergarten and 1st-grade students that attend the onsite learning labs will be provided 1:1 tutoring by one of the academy's certified Kindergarten teachers.  This is an academic enrichment partnership initiative with the Academy and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. 

Dr. Lorilyn Coggins presented to the Board of Trustees the Charter School Program Grant current month and cumulative amounts as required to be presented monthly at each board meeting.

February 2021 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.

The Sanga Management monthly report was presented by Lyndsey McClintic, Ana
Ulloa, and Stephanie Yassine. Ms. McClintic highlighted one of the Academy's Fourth Grade Teachers, Colleen Burcroff, in her initiative efforts in finding resources for monthly diversity studies.  Last month, a school-wide project and learning focus was on the songs on freedoms.  Ms. McClintic presented a Black History Month Powerpoint showcasing some of the student work as outcomes of the month's learning focus.  Currently, there are no updates from the State of Michigan regarding using state benchmark assessments in lieu of the MSTEP.  However, the Academy is doing everything possible to prepare under the assumption that students will need to be onsite to take the regularly scheduled assessments.  Jennifer Joubert reiterated that Central Michigan University is advising schools to prepare for the state assessment.  The ESL after-school tutoring program began in early March.  The lessons are tailored to engage the Academy's L1 and L2 learners in grades 3-7.  This is an effective immersion technique used to build students' skills in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in both languages. The Special Education team is excited to be back in the building to provide in-person services to all students attending the learning lab and by appointment for wiling families. The team will continue to provide services for caseload students remotely whose families are not willing to have them return to the school building. On March 9th, the Academy's Board of Trustees and Sanga Consulting received an intent to approve the Board's Contract Amendment Request correspondence from Central Michigan University.  Additional documentation submissions are required before full approval can be granted.  The team is positive that the required task will be completed on time to receive full approval granted for each requested amended item.  Ana Ulloa reported to the Academy's board 98% of the students have confirmed re-enrollment for the next school year.  Accolades to Ms. Hill for the amount of detail and attention that she gives to families daily. 

The academy has hired LER Consultants and Advisors to support with hiring staff vacancies for the next school year. Board Trustee Monica Barbour asked the management team is it harder to recruit middle school teachers due to the required State of Michigan self-contained teaching certification.  Stephanie Yassine shared with the Academy's board the teaching certification programs resources that are offered to candidates that do not have the applicable credentials. The Academy is currently pursuing a grant initiative that will provide full funding for teachers and potential paraprofessionals to receive an EL endorsement at no cost.  The Academy will partner with Cornerstone to adapt and design course offerings that best meet the needs of the academy's EL population.  This specialized programming will allow an opportunity for the Academy's teachers to build practical skills that are immediately transferable to the classroom in supporting EL learners.   Continued work is being executed with the instructional staff and Dr. Coggins to complete the Student Improvement Plan.  The Academy now has access to the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) and is continuing to learn about this new platform to guide school improvement planning for the next year. Learning Labs were closed the week of 3/15/2021-3/19/2021 due to a positive COVID-19 case among one of the Academy's staff members.  It was determined through contact tracing that the virus was contracted outside of the building.  Ana Ulloa spoke with the City of Detroit Health Department and followed the guidance given to minimize the spread of the virus. Daily building upkeep and routine high-frequency touchpoints cleaning are an ongoing effort.  On March 16th, the Academy was professionally electrostatic sprayed by US Servico in an effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Madam President Cristina Stamatin mentioned that she really enjoyed the Sanga Management report and reminded the team that March is Women's History Month.

No extended public comments at this time.

Jennifer Joubert informed the Academy's board of the law changing for the Open Meeting Act for virtual meetings which is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2021.  Starting April 1, 2021, board meetings are required to be in-person following the social distance guidance.  Upcoming board development events: March 26, 2021- Direction of Michigan Education Webinar, April 27, 2021- Board Treasurer Roundtable Webinar.  

Escuela Avancemos Academy Board of Directors thanked everyone for attending the board meeting.  The board is very impressed with the progress that is being made to keep the machine running smoothly. Everyone is doing a magnificent job in making sure that the children are receiving quality instruction during this pandemic. Board Treasurer Linda Chittum thanked Lyndsey McClintic for sharing the student's Black History Month projects.  

Madam President Cristina Stamatin expressed gratitude to the board members for volunteering and actively participating as a board member. The Academy's board is encouraged to consider attending the upcoming virtual National Charter Schools Conference on June 20th-23rd.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos! Academy.