Mission Moment

Katie shared that the Community Outreach Committee has officially launched and is already making a positive impact. She noted that this is the first time she has been able to actively engage with the community in this capacity. The committee has participated in initiatives such as community clean-up days, connecting families with resources, and supporting the school pantry. Marc also contributed Peruvian cultural items for a community exhibit. Katie recognized Joan for frequently supporting the pantry with Costco runs and invited others to join the effort.

Sabine shared that she attended the International Festival and described it as a fun, educational, and well-attended event that celebrated different cultures. She noted that her daughter performed as one of the dancers last year. Sabine also discussed the student trail project that was presented at the Bike Summit alongside Enlace students. Students spoke about the importance of the trail for safe walking routes to school, improved access to neighborhood stores, and stronger community connections. She announced the 2nd Annual Bike Ride on May 21 at 1:30 p.m. beginning at Alamo Drafthouse and invited all to attend. Joan and Katie are also involved with the project team. Sabine shared that groundbreaking for the trail is expected in June and emphasized how beneficial the trail would be for Enlace Academy students, especially those walking to the library.

Joan added that the trail project is an exciting opportunity for the neighborhood. The team has been walking the area and gathering feedback from local businesses and residents, particularly along the north side of 38th Street and around Lafayette Square where the trail would run. The proposed trail may be named the Eagle Creek Trail. A community survey will also be distributed to gather additional feedback.

Marc shared that he also enjoyed the International Festival and appreciated learning about different cultures. He is currently working to connect Enlace Academy with musicians who could visit the school to provide presentations on the history of jazz and perform for students, creating another cultural enrichment opportunity for the school community.

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Academic Update

Alison reviewed the ILEARN Checkpoint 3 data and shared that overall proficiency increased in both Math and ELA. Current proficiency rates are 37.8% in ELA and 24.5% in Math, both of which are higher than last year and meet the school’s goal of increasing proficiency by 5%. Comparative charts demonstrated measurable growth from the previous school year.

Alison also reviewed IREAD data. She explained that third graders are required to pass IREAD in order to advance to fourth grade and that the school’s goal was to increase scores by 10%. While students who did not pass will have additional testing opportunities during the summer, the school has already achieved 8% growth and anticipates meeting or surpassing the full goal by the end of the summer testing period.

Second grade math proficiency dipped by 2%; however, the team anticipates ending the summer ahead of last year’s performance. Leadership shared that reaching the goal of a 70% pass rate remains feasible. Crystal Meiller will be teaching summer school to support student growth.

Crystal Meiller, ML Coordinator at Enlace Academy and a founding staff member, presented an update on multilingual learner achievement. Crystal has taught across grades K–8 and highlighted the importance of the WIDA assessment, which measures academic English language proficiency for identified multilingual learners. She explained that students are assessed across four language domains, making the process lengthy and comprehensive.

Crystal shared that this year included both a new ILEARN assessment and a new WIDA assessment. She emphasized that English language development standards are not taught separately from classroom content; rather, Enlace believes students learn academic language best when instruction is integrated into core classroom learning. Students are taught and assessed alongside grade-level content.

To exit multilingual learner services this year, students were required to score 5.0 or higher on WIDA. Crystal proudly reported that 27 students, or 21% of multilingual learners, exited services this year — the highest number in Enlace Academy history. She highlighted that fourth grade benefited greatly from a strong third grade cohort, with 14 students successfully exiting services.

Crystal also explained a new Indiana option allowing students who score close to a 5.0 to demonstrate English proficiency through additional evidence, including ILEARN and IREAD performance, writing samples, reading samples, and student portfolios reviewed by the state. The goal is to help students exit services before sixth grade, when academic content becomes increasingly challenging.

Additional highlights included:

27 students exited multilingual learner services, up from 24 last year.
For the first time, a second grade student successfully exited services.
An additional 84 students scored in the early-exit range of 4.3–4.9.
Students in grades 2–4 met the school’s growth goal of increasing by 0.5 proficiency levels.

The board celebrated Crystal and the ML team for these accomplishments. Crystal noted that acquiring academic language proficiency typically takes 5–7 years, but Enlace students are accelerating their growth. She credited the success largely to the school’s co-teaching model, where the strongest gains are occurring, as well as to strong teachers who embraced the belief that all teachers are language teachers. She emphasized the importance of maintaining high expectations paired with strong supports for students.

Crystal also shared that nine teachers earned their ENL licenses this year. Enlace continues to offer this training free of charge to teachers annually. Funding previously supported through the Next Gen SIG grant has now transitioned into Lilly Phase III funding.

Katie shared that the Academic dashboard all areas on track to meet the academic goals. 

Brian shared the April financials. The governance committee met yesterday. The financials are in great shape. Things look different due to the timing in recognizing revenue and crossing fiscal years. We have a deficit through April but in reality we do not have a deficit. We have received the Lilly money which removes the April deficit. The vital foundation grant that we received, we can't use it until next year. Deferring that revenue to next year. So it's not included in the actuals now. There is 230k in ops levy money that we received one payment and will receive the second in June. It's from last school year and we have already recoginzed that money. It would add 239k back into our revenue. we are ahead of revenue. in expenses we have had adjustments, capital project 350k in cafeteria work and 94k for a new mini bus. On June 30 it will be capitalized. With those adjustment surplus of 362k where we would expect to be at the end of June. Highlights are we continue to look in shape. 

For OEI metrics we have a temporary not meeting standard for the temporary deficit. It will meet the metric by the end of June. This highlights why you may see deficits going forward. 

budget process is long and very hard work by Katie and Denise that starts early winter. Break down to digestable bits summary of what is being proposed next year. student count 660. The main one we have budgeted appropriately for enrollment every year. Count day was 681. Our per year, per month, per day to see what it costs to run the school. The first numbers are inflated even though we received the Lilly money we are showing how we will use 3/4 million dollars next year. Our operating expensies 6.4 million. Cash is the most important thing, this budget would project we ended with 21 million.12.9 being restricted. 8.5 to 9million of unrestricted cash value. The budget is in good shape. The metrics, days cash on hand is 325 days. That is where we have been for a long time. 73% of people in buildings, 27% benefits and payroll taxes. About 84% of instructional staff and 16% administrative staff. the budget summary is in good place. FY 27 budget column asking for is to approve the budget. To give Katie the spending authority. 13 million in spending authrority for leadership and the team. Most of that is going to people, little to buildings, and a lot to program instructions. the charter innovation loan will be paid off. Our total cash will drop over the next 5 years because we received the money to spend of what we applied for. We have to spend the money so we are going to spend the money. 

We budgeted at 660, 25 students for class 675 for k-8. We end up at 680 ish, we have a waitlist 

Brandon shared how we are spending the Lilly Phase III investment money.  budget adoption process will look like. Over the course of the next year, biggest expense will be the capital projects with the kitchen improvement project, next is the students enrichment and support. teacher development, $1 million in salries with BIA's intervtionsist & ML teachers plus admin support. 

The budget process, property tax sharing piece will cause a second vote. today you have the budget presentation. It has to take place before october 5th. the adoption today meeting attestation. We will find out how much tax revenue we are going to get. Once we know we will put them in the budget and readopt the budget. If we getthe numbers in time, we have to submit by November 1st. today you are approving a budget and then will come around and do that again. 

Green on all budget goals. 

Charter Renewal Timeline

OEI released the charter renewal letters. We are officially in the process for charter renewal. Next steps, interviews in oct to early november with school leadership and board representation. hearings in mid december. Right now it's a 7 year charter renewal, the intent would be to get a 15 year renewal. 

something we wil keep on the agenda IPEC idnaiapolis public education corporation. The group launched, public meeting their first step is to hire an executive director. then deciding next steps property fall tax referendums. Their websiete is up next meeting is May 28. 

3 things are due at the of May OEI end of year assessments. board evaluations, two assessments later this summer. Frist assessment of the board. clarity of roles, self assessment. Then evaluation of Katie in July. 90% and then hodl for the academic data in august. watch your email. board assurances come from docusign. Other two, will be ed evaulation and board self assessment  will come from board on track. 

OEI can wait until August to wait on board eval until August. June iRead results are shared. the board will communicate. 

Enlace just finished their first photo shoot. Katie will share the picture with the board. 

Match Day - May 14

8th Grade Graduation - May 15

College & Career Fair - May 19