Michelle Hadous, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Director
presented the monthly programming report to the Board of Directors.  The final budget amendments were made and submitted to the Michigan Department of Education.  The 21st CCLC program has met all compliance requirements for the 2020-2021 school year.

Dr. Lorilyn Coggins presented to the Board of Directors an overview of the Charter School Program Grant data this is required to be presented monthly at each board meeting.

May 2020 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 Monthly Management Report was presented by Lyndsey McClintic, Ana Ulloa, and Stephanie Yassine.  Lyndsey McClintic, Instructional Leader shared the NWEA End of Year (EOY) academic growth.  According to the NWEA Growth Data, the academy did not meet the growth goals set with Central Michigan University this year across all grade levels.  "The median growth percentiles reflecting fall-to-winter and fall-to-spring scaled score growth in grades Kindergarten to 7 on reading and math NWEA growth tests will be at or higher than 50." Comparison data for iReady platform that was introduced to the academy this school year results show that students overall did make progress. Though it is important to note that the USED, MDE, and CMU have all supported the waiving of state/benchmark assessment data for accountability purposes, it is equally important to note that, while there may be some unreliability in the administration of these tests, they are not vastly different from pre-COVID numbers. There have been some places of gain, places of loss, and many students who have been historically and currently remained below grade level.
Ana Ulloa, Sanga Management CEO responded to the presented results.  Management has begun the necessary strategic planning for strengthening the student's skills that are needed for them to get back on target.  For the 2021-22 school year, the academy will have two Instructional Leaders for K-3 and 4-8. An Instructional Leader has been hired to fill this position.  Steven Ovares is a native of Southwest Detroit and has led the iReady initiative in Orange County Florida and is very well-rounded with working with ESL students. Ms. McClintic and Mr. Ovares will compliment each other,  and are very hopeful of the academic progress that will be made in the upcoming school year.   Ms. Ulloa is looking forward to in-person learning.  Many parents have expressed their tiredness with remote learning and testing. Learning Labs will be offered this summer for students to continue using the iReady platform as an extra push to strengthen skills.  In addition, another after-school program will be offered through the Detroit's Children Fund grant. More parenting workshops will be hosted to provide support.   Madam President Cristina Stamatin stated that this is great to have a new leader added to the team; but the board needs to see the plan of action.   Madam Treasurer Linda Chittum inquired about the ETA for the newly hired Instructional Leader to transition to Michigan. Mr. Ovares will be onboarding in early August. Ana Ulloa expressed to the Board of Directors that management is not promising miracles but is hopeful of the impact this plan will make. Stephanie Yassine is hopeful that this support will allow the academy to grow and departmentalized middle school. With the increased salaries of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, it has been challenging to hire qualified teachers for middle school who would be interested in self-contained positions. As the leadership team further analyzes this data, along with additional internal data, summer programming, and strategic planning are already focusing on the following priority areas to quickly address the loss in learning this year: additional access to instructional support this summer for students; WIN Blocks embedded into the daily schedule; targeted instruction focusing on 1st-3rd grade reading skills; differentiated Literacy Instruction; focus on mastering strategies for EL learners; academic Opportunity and Learning Environment. Imagine Learning and Tune into Reading training with planned implementation during the AM academic portion of the summer programming will be monitored and assessed for effectiveness with potential for before school/after school/pull-out sessions in the fall.
Ana Ulloa expressed the importance of knowing who the academy is serving and meet them where there are as a community school. 

No extended public comments at this time.

The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools Central Michigan University Field Operations School Lead, Jennifer Joubert informed the Board of Directors of The Center for Charter Schools in-person 2021 Annual Conference on August 17, 2021, in Novi, MI.  Board members will receive three board member development credits, and State Continuing Education Clock Hours for educators.  Innovation and Vision Award contest is an opportunity for CMU partner schools to celebrate what makes you unique and earn $5k for your school.  Please check your email for more details.  

A sincere expression of appreciation and congratulations to the management and leadership team, staff, and Board of Directors. The hard work and planning strategies that have been exhibited this school year have been phenomenal and are admired. Dr. Coggins was acknowledged for the detailed financial presentations. Looking forward to in-person learning in the fall. Madam President Cristina Stamatin encouraged the board members to try to attend the CMU 2021 Annual Conference on August 17, 2021.  Have great summer everyone!

Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos Academy; 2635 Howard St Detroit, MI  48216.