Escuela Avancemos! Academy
Minutes
Escuela Avancemos Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday February 27, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Location
Escuela Avancemos Academy
2635 Howard St
Detroit, MI 48126
Room: 105
Directors Present
A. Bordeianu, C. Stamatin, L. Chittum, M. Barbour
Directors Absent
M. Gonzalez
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
M. Barbour
Guests Present
A. Ulloa, Beatriz Hill, Dahime Gordon, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Erika Reed, J. Joubert, Lewis William Gray, Michelle Khatib, Philip Van Hooks, S. Johnson, Victoria Hale (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
A.
Approval of Agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Absent
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
III. Consent Agenda Item
A.
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
M. Barbour |
Absent
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
IV. New Business
A.
Escuela Avancemos Academy Emergency Operations Plan
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
B.
Fall 2023 Board Policy Updates for Escuela Avancemos Academy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
C.
Escuela Avancemos Academy Organization Chart
D.
2024-2025 Escuela Avancemos Academy School Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
E.
Educational Service Provider Agreement
Roll Call | |
---|---|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
F.
Allen H. Vigneron, Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit Lease Agreement
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
G.
Resolution to Approve Audit 2024 Letter of Engagement from Wilkerson & Associates P.C.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
H.
21st Century Community Learning Center Memorandum of Understanding
Ana Ulloa expressed concern that the 21st Century Community Learning Center program is not an academic enrichment after-school program. With parental transportation constraints, the program will continue to have low enrollment. The after-school programming requires space for the site program director and materials which can become challenging due to the limited spacing within the school building. Michelle-Kerry Khatib, 21st CCLC Project Director would like more collaboration between the after-school program and the academy's leadership team. Ongoing communication helps determine the academic needs of the students for a strategic plan to be put in place to support the student's academic growth. Madam President Cristina Stamatin requested that the academy's partnership with 21st CCLC continue and that the spacing solution be resolved. Perhaps office space can be used after school hours as a working space for the site program director.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
I.
Motion to amend the February 27, 2024 board meeting agenda by including the Educational Service Provider Agreement Public Comments.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Barbour |
Aye
|
L. Chittum |
Aye
|
A. Bordeianu |
Aye
|
M. Gonzalez |
Absent
|
C. Stamatin |
Aye
|
V. Reports
A.
21st Century Community Learning Centers Monthly Report
Dahime Gordon, the 21st CCLC Site Coordinator, presented the monthly programming updates. The Step-Up mentoring program has commenced. This program is designed to provide comprehensive conflict resolution and stress management for participants to succeed both on and off the court. The students are excited and enjoy soccer, basketball, and volleyball practices held at the Roberto Clemente Recreation Center. The academy's board of directors would like to receive games and fundraiser schedules. PAL is currently charging $500 per team this year for uniforms and games fees. Madam President Cristina Stamatin suggested conducting fundraisers to aid in covering the PAL fees and teach the students financial literacy. Financial literacy is offered to students who participate in the 21st CCLC summer programming.
B.
Financials
December 2023 and January 2024 financial reports were presented by Ana Ulloa in Dr. Lorilyn Coggins's absence. Ms. Ulloa highlighted 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.
Esser funds will no longer be available after the 23-24 school year. A plan of action for how to work smarter by reducing cost details will be shared with the Board of Directors at a later date.
C.
Sanga Monthly Management Report
The Sanga Monthly Management Report was presented by Ana Ulloa. Members of the academy's leadership team Philip Van Hooks (Instructional Coach) and Erika Reed (ESL Coordinator) shared professional experience and current responsibilities. Alex Rodriguez-Rozic a lead trainer with Success For ALL (SFA), provided two days of hands-on training sessions in mid-January. SFA curriculum training and implementation initiative has been introduced to all staff, aiming to enhance the quality of instruction and student learning outcomes. Through these hands-on training sessions, teachers gained insights into the SFA teaching methodologies, curriculum design, and strategies that are directly aligned with the sequencing of literary instruction across all grades. The leadership team has worked closely and collaboratively to align students to the four different levels of SFA using a triangulation of achievement data from NWEA, I-Ready, and SFA Reading Formals. The alignment aims to cater to individualized learning needs and allow the implementation of the SFA program with fidelity to promote a more inclusive and responsive educational environment.
Philip Van Hooks, Instructional Coach unpacked the Escuela Avancemos Academy Annual Education Report by including data charts for more clarity of the student's academic levels and trends.
The NWEA and I-Ready winter assessments will measure student academic achievement and growth. Professional development on student achievement data is been noted as crucial for educators and administrators to make informed decisions and improve educational outcomes to build skills and knowledge to leverage student achievement data. All staff members recently participated in professional development, led by Interim Principal Farida Malik for a collaborative discussion focused on data analysis, informed decision-making, goal setting, and data conversations with students. Parents will receive access to their attendance and grades through the academy's student information system Powerschool at the next scheduled Parent Teacher Conference. This tool will help parents to monitor student academics daily.
As of 2/27/2024, the academy is currently at 425 student enrollment. For the Supplemental Count Day, held on February 14th, the academy's leadership team was very pleased to announce a 99% attendance rate.
Escuela Avancemos Notice of Non-Compliance Action Items have been resolved. The activity hall exterior exit doors on Lafayette St have been replaced with entry doors that are up to building code requirements. The exit doors are locked from the outside to control who can enter the building. From the inside, the doors allow people to leave during emergencies without needing a
key, tool, or special knowledge or effort to open the door. The academy has partnered with Recon Management Group, LLC to serve as a comprehensive security assessment firm for Escuela Avancemos Academy.
VI. Extended Public Comment:
A.
This public comment section is reserved for all remaining comments.
None at this time.
B.
Educational Service Provider Public Comments
None 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 presented the academy with the school's mission banner. Upcoming Central Michigan University Center for Charters Schools event: "Celebrating Your Service" 2024 Partnership Reception on March 14th at Central Kitchen in Detroit from 6 pm- 8 pm.
B.
Escuela Avancemos! Academy Board of Directors Updates
Board Treasurer Linda Chittum intends to meet with Dr. Lorilyn Coggines to review future expenditures. New members of the academy's leadership team were welcomed. The Board President Cristina Stamatin thanked the Board of Directors and the entire school team for their ongoing support and all the work that has been done to increase student achievement growth. Board Vice President Andreea Bordeianu reminded the leadership team that March is National Reading Month and Women's History Month.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Reconfirmation of Next Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos Academy.
Escuela Avancemos Academy Organization Chart was presented by Ana Ulloa of Sanga Educational Partners highlighting Dr. Lorilyn Coggins serves as an independent contractor to Sanga for educational programs consulting. Madam Vice President Andreea Bordeianu requested that the organizational chart be structured differently to facilitate a clear understanding of the leadership structure. A revised version of the organization chart will be presented to the board at the next board meeting.