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6-12-2025 ACES and DSAHS Governing Board Meeting AgendaAVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL AND DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL v-1. DON SOFFEP A VENTURA HIGH SCHOOL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA June 12, 2025 9:00 a.m. Aventura Government Center 19200 W. Country Club Drive • Aventura, FL 33180 51h Floor Executive Conference Room Governing Board AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL (ACES) AND THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS) Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq. Vice Mayor Cindy Orlinsky Commissioner Clifford B. Ain Commissioner Gustavo Blachman Commissioner Amit Bloom Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland, Esq. Commissioner Paul A. Kruss City Manager Bryan Pegues — Governing Board Facilitator City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC City Attorneys Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Aventura Governing Board Meeting Agenda June 12, 2025 Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL (ACES) AND THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS): CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 22, 2025 Regular Meeting 4. SCHOOL UPDATES: Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS) 5. APPROVAL OF THE 2025-26 MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION PLAN FOR ACES AND DSAHS 6. APPROVAL OF THE MASTER SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN 2025-26 SY FOR ACES AND DSAHS 7. OTHER BUSINESS 8. PUBLIC COMMENT 9. ADJOURNMENT This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the Office of the City Clerk, (305) 466-8901 or cityclerk@cityofaventura.com, not later than two days prior to such proceedings. One or more members of the City of Aventura Advisory Boards may participate in the meeting. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the Aventura City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for the Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) and the Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS), with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Agenda items are available online at cityofaventura.com for viewing and printing, or may be requested through the Office of the City Clerk at (305) 466-8901 or cityclerk@cityofaventura.com. Page 1 of 1 DON SOFFER $AVENTURA HIGH CHOOL AVENTURA GOVERNING BOARD AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL AND DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 22, 2025 9:00 a.m. Aventura Government Center 19200 West Country Club Drive Aventura, FL 33180 Aventura City Commission acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for the Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) and the Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS): 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Howard Weinberg at 9.03 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Cindy Orlinsky, Commissioner Clifford B. Ain, Commissioner Gustavo Blachman, Commissioner Amit Bloom, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland', Commissioner Paul A. Kruss, City Manager Bryan Pegues, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney Robert Meyers. Also present were ACES Principal Ana Melhuish, DSAHS Assistant Principal Dr. Andrea Beck, and Rachel Windler-Freitag — Charter Schools USA Area 2 Florida Deputy Director. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Mayor Weinberg. A moment of silence was observed in memoriam of two Israeli embassy employees killed in Washington D.C. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the April 17, 2025 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes was offered by Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Vice Mayor Orlinsky, and passed unanimously by roll call vote. 4. SCHOOL UPDATES: • ACES Principal Ana Melhuish: Principal Melhuish provided updates including the following items: preliminary testing data, enrollment, field trips, upcoming events, teacher candidates, summer plans and strategic initiatives, and conferences. The City Commission provided input on the items. No comments were provided by members of the public. ' Participated via Zoom. Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School May 22, 2025 • DSAHS Assistant Principal Dr. Andrea Beck: Assistant Principal Dr. Andrea Beck provided updates including the following items: first time meeting 100% senior graduation requirements prior to the ceremony, testing, athletics awards ceremony, prom, senior awards, graduation, senior step up, an update to be provided in June on filling positions following staffing interviews, and appreciation for the Board. The City Commission provided input on the items discussed including: new college guidance counselor position and an offer to assist with any challenges the school may need help with. No comments were provided by members of the public. 5. ORDINANCES — SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING: Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title: A. AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL (ACES): AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE ATTACHED AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 (JULY 1 — JUNE 30), PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.05 OF THE CITY CHARTER; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY THE BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR BUDGETARY CONTROL; PROVIDING FOR PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATION; PROVIDING FOR GIFTS AND GRANTS; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENCUMBRANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded by Commissioner Bloom. Mr. Pegues reviewed the budget and recommended approval. No comments were provided by the City Commission. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed unanimously by roll call vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2025-07. Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title: B. AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS): AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE ATTACHED DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 (JULY 1 — JUNE 30), PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.05 OF THE CITY CHARTER; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY THE BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR BUDGETARY CONTROL; PROVIDING FOR PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATION; PROVIDING FOR GIFTS AND GRANTS; PROVIDING FOR Page 2 of 4 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School May 22, 2025 AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENCUMBRANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Blachman and seconded by Vice Mayor Orlinsky. Mr. Pegues reviewed the budget and recommended approval. No comments were provided by the City Commission. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval of the Ordinance passed unanimously by roll call vote; thus, becoming Ordinance No. 2025-08. 6. APPROVAL OF AMENDED 2025-2026 SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Commissioner Kruss. Mr. Pegues reviewed the item. No comments were provided by the City Commission. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval passed unanimously by roll call vote. 7. APPROVAL OF THE ACES PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2025-2026 AND THE DSAHS FAMILY HANDBOOK 2025-2026: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Ain and seconded by Commissioner Kruss. Mr. Pegues reviewed the item. No comments were provided by the City Commission. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval passed unanimously by roll call vote. 8. APPROVAL OF CHARTER SCHOOLS USA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION SYSTEM: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by Commissioner Kruss. Page 3 of 4 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School May 22, 2025 Ms. Windler-Freitag reviewed the item. The City Commission discussed the item. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval passed unanimously by roll call vote. 9. APPROVAL OF CHARTER SCHOOLS USA SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL EVALUATION SYSTEM: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Ain and seconded by Commissioner Kruss. Ms. Windler-Freitag reviewed the item. No comments were provided by the City Commission. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval passed unanimously by roll call vote. 10. OTHER BUSINESS: None. 11. PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments were provided by members of the public. 12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Friedland, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at 9.35 a.m. Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for ACES and DSAHS, on June 12, 2025. Page 4 of 4 CSUSA 2024-2025 Mental Health Plan Narrative' Planned Outcomes Identify two specific and measurable goals that will be accomplished within the 2024-2025 schoolyear. (1) At least 70% of students referred for Tier 2 or Tier 3 mental health services will engage in counseling during the 2024-2025 school year. (2) At least 80% of students administered the Invo Outcome Scales (IOS) at intake, will display an increase in skill acquisition or decrease in observed symptoms on a minimum of three domains measured at discharge or end of academic year per student and/or parent report. Charter Program Implementation Tier 1: Evidence Based Program (EBP) Attitude is Altitude Describe the key EBP components: A comprehensive learning experience that includes a K-12 curriculum where students learn and repeatedly practice skills for learning and life, known as Noble Techniques, that help them shift to be confident, proactive, respectful, compassionate students who develop healthy relationships and make responsible decisions. This experience is built upon an intentional implementation approach. EBP Implementation: Attitude is Altitude will be implemented by teachers in designated grade levels through classroom lessons. The curriculum is aligned to research based on skills for learning and life, with an emphasis on self-awareness, self -management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision -making. EBP Implementation: Supports will help students develop their skills for learning and life and will help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. Skills for learning and life will be how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships and make responsible decisions. This will result in stronger academic outcomes, improved behaviors and student attendance, increased graduation rates, long-term and global impact, and improve lifetime outcomes. Charter Program Implementation Tier 2: Evidence Based Program (EBP) Invo's Integrated Multidisciplinary Program to Address Childhood Trauma (IMPACT) —Targeted Small Group Interventions Describe the key EBP components: IMPACT provides front-line support for schools in driving outcomes for high -risk students by addressing the underlying causes of challenging, disruptive, and sometimes dangerous behaviors. Leveraging a unique team -based approach, the program integrates experienced 'The state has not yet released the 24-25 MHAAP application requirements, template or funding guidelines. This draft will be amended accordingly, and will include school specific counselor:student ratios and planned funds and expenditures, once these details are available. Mental Health and Behavioral Health teams into the natural school environment to dramatically increase student's social and emotional skills while teaching and fostering replacement behaviors. Interventions are delivered by licensed mental health professionals who receive support from a board -certified behavior analyst. Behavior support and therapeutic interventions are provided while encouraging academic support and progress. Interventions are provided to targeted students in small groups, with a focus on skill acquisition, stress reduction, increased self-awareness, and enhanced personal empowerment. EBP Implementation (Box 1): Interventions align closely with cognitive -behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and applied behavior analysis with the explicit goal of reducing mental health symptoms, improving functioning in a variety of domains, encouraging youth and their parents to understand the nature of mental health and/or substance related disorders and how to use newly learned skills to maintain position functioning and recovery. In CBT, youth are taught about the link between thoughts and emotions, and how they may affect subsequent behavior. By replacing maladaptive thoughts with healthy thoughts, youth can make better decisions and use effective coping skills. CBT also makes use of established behavior principles such as positive reinforcement to reward adaptive behavior and extinguish unhealthy behaviors. Trauma -focused CBT is a subspecialty within CBT that allows providers to focus closely on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This therapy addresses affective/emotional, cognitive/thinking-based and behavioral problems by incorporating discussions about the specifics of the trauma, teaching effective parenting skills to caregivers, and capitalizing on the healing therapeutic alliance between therapist and student. Tier 2 services will be provided via targeted small group interventions. EBP Implementation (Box 2): Implementation and treatment will allow students to make progress in areas of skill acquisition, stress reduction, increased self-awareness, and enhanced personal empowerment. Charter Program Implementation Tier 3: Evidence Based Program (EBP) Invo's Integrated Multidisciplinary Program to Address Childhood Trauma (IMPACT) — Intensive Individualized Interventions Describe the key EBP components: IMPACT provides front-line support for schools in driving outcomes for high -risk students by addressing the underlying causes of challenging, disruptive, and sometimes dangerous behaviors. Leveraging a unique team -based approach, the program integrates experienced Mental Health and Behavioral Health teams into the natural school environment to dramatically increase student's social and emotional skills while teaching and fostering replacement behaviors. Interventions are delivered by licensed mental health professionals who receive regular support from a board -certified behavior analyst. Behavior support and therapeutic interventions are provided while encouraging academic support and progress. Interventions draw on each youth's strengths and may incorporate family with the goal of establishing healthy behaviors that will serve the youth throughout his/her lifetime. EBP Implementation: Interventions align closely with cognitive -behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and applied behavior analysis with the explicit goal of reducing mental health symptoms, improving functioning in a variety of domains, encouraging youth and their parents to understand the nature of mental health and/or substance related disorders and how to use newly learned skills to maintain position functioning and recovery. In CBT, youth are taught about the link between thoughts and emotions, and how they may affect subsequent behavior. By replacing maladaptive thoughts with healthy thoughts, youth can make better decisions and use effective coping skills. CBT also makes use of established behavior principles such as positive reinforcement to reward adaptive behavior and extinguish unhealthy behaviors. Trauma -focused CBT is a subspecialty within CBT that allows providers to focus closely on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This therapy addresses affective/emotional, cognitive/thinking-based and behavioral problems by incorporating discussions about the specifics of the trauma, teaching effective parenting skills to caregivers, and capitalizing on the healing therapeutic alliance between therapist and student. Tier 3 services will be provided via individual therapy and/or family therapy. EBP Implementation: Implementation and treatment will allow students to make progress in relevant domains assessed by the Invo Outcome Scale (IOS), which is administered at intake and discharge. The IOS measures the following domains: Anxiety Symptoms, Anger Symptoms, Attitude Towards School, Coping Skills Acquisition, Crisis Response/Sense of Safety, Depressive Symptoms, Feelings of Connectedness/Belonging, Improvement of Behavior, Self -Esteem, and Socialization/Peer Relations. Direct employment policy, roles and responsibilities The school will secure licensed mental health providers who will work on site for at least a total number of hours commensurate to a minimum of 90% of the school's MHAA. Additional funding opportunities will be sought to allow for increased financial resources to allow for expanded provider service schedules and a reduction in staff -to -student ratios. Through mental health team meetings, the school will identify students who are at the greatest need of intervention. We will use an MTSS model to allocate resources based on student need. Students identified as needing Tier 3 interventions will have the greatest number of touchpoints, followed by those identifies as needing Tier 2 supports. The team will meet regularly to review student progress. Providers/partners will work collaboratively with the school mental health team to ensure that services are aligned and coordinated to meet the needs of the students on the caseload. Services will be initiated timely, in accordance with state statute. Community Contracts/Interagency Agreements Invo-Progressus Therapy: Qualified mental health provider (LMHC, LMFT, LCSW, RMHCI, RMFTI, RCSWI) -Assessment, therapy, collaboration Invo-Progressus Therapy: Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Consultation/Collaboration