Abq Sign Language Academy

The meeting included reports from the Executive Director regarding school operations, building developments, and legislative updates. The Board Chair provided information on professional development events and training resources. Updates were received concerning grant opportunities and the Community Schools Initiative. The Board approved a contract with the ASLA Foundation for the operation of the North Fourth Art and Adult Workforce Center and a contract with Cypress Tree New Mexico for AmeriCorps member placement. Additionally, the Board approved various financial reports, including payroll, accounts payable, and budget adjustment requests.

The board discussed its charter renewal process and the implementation of specific cohort groups for student performance measurement. These cohorts include a traditional general education group, a deaf and hard of hearing group, and a life skills group, each utilizing different assessment tools such as the DRA3, Star Reading, and Star Math. Additionally, there was a report on a pending outdoor equity grant and ongoing efforts to secure funding for the New Mexico Developmental Disability Workforce Training Center.

The board received updates from the Executive Director regarding the new building schedule, the legislative session, pending grants, and the upcoming science fair. Discussion topics included the Community Schools Initiative, with a focus on workforce training and outdoor equity, as well as the status of annual governing board training and a scheduled board dinner. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved financial items, including BARS, the bank reconciliation for the previous month, payroll, and accounts payable reports.

The meeting agenda included updates from the Executive Director and the Board Chair, alongside a report on the Community Schools Initiative. The Board reviewed the status of annual governing board training and discussed Short-Cycle Assessment reporting. Financial business covered the approval of a purchasing table for the CNM Award Dinner, a review of FY25 audit results, and the approval of BARS, bank reconciliations, payroll, and accounts payable reports.

The meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation of a quorum. Key agenda items included the approval of the current meeting agenda and the approval of the October meeting minutes. Discussion involved updates on community interactions, particularly successful events featuring the adult program's coffee trolley, such as participation in the Los Ranchos fall festival and Albuquerque Museum night. Updates were provided on a new hire for Honeybadger Industries, Mr. Dusty, who will support the coffee industry program component of workforce initiatives. Significant time was dedicated to an update on the development of the adult workforce training center. Furthermore, the formal acquisition of the Avenue PM reading assessment instrument, developed in partnership with Penn State and the University of Minnesota, was reported. This tool is nationally recognized for assessing reading for deaf, hard of hearing, and ASL-using students. Updates on building progress for the new facility included the application of colored stucco and an invitation for invested community members to a sneak peek tour on December 12th. A report from the student support coordinator covered pioneering approaches to integrating social emotional health, trauma-informed teaching, and the administration and adaptation of student self-evaluations, including the Holistic Student Assessment, in collaboration with partners like Harvard Medical School's McLean Hospital branch.