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1-22-2026 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 January 22, 2026 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 Amit Bloom Commissioner Clifford B. Ain Commissioner Gustavo Blachman Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland, Esq. Commissioner Paul A. Kruss Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky City Manager Bryan Pegues — Governing Board Facilitator City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC City Attorney Robert Meyers Aventura Governing Board Meeting Agenda January 22, 2026 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: September 18, 2025 Regular Meeting 4. SCHOOL UPDATES: Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS) 5. APPROVAL OF 2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR ACES AND DSAHS 6. APPROVAL OF OUT -OF -FIELD WAIVER FOR ACES 7. REVIEW OF FALL SURVEY RESULTS FOR ACES AND DSAHS 8. OTHER BUSINESS 9. PUBLIC COMMENT 10. 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 city clerk@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 city clerk(a),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 SEPTEMBER 18, 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 9:04 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 Dr. Andrea Beck, DSAHS Principal Dr. Geoff McKee, 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. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the June 12, 2025 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes was offered by Commissioner Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Ain, and passed unanimously by roll call vote. 4. SCHOOL UPDATES: • Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS): Principal Dr. Geoff McKee provided updates including the following items: his 22nd opening as a high school principal, Achievement Data for the 2024-2025 school year (National Merit Recognition, FL DOE Grade Achievement, AP Results, and University of Cambridge AICE Results), test prep, open houses, new teachers, homecoming, club rush, 5K, play, and parent university. ' Participated via Zoom until arrival at 9:10 a.m. during the School Updates. Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School September 18, 2025 The City Commission provided input on the items including: students entering 9th grade, number of graduates, hiring process, guidance counselors, dedicated college counselor, team sports, and high achieving students. No comments were provided by members of the public. Proclamations: A Proclamation was read and presented for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September 2025) to Silvia Dominguez Vanni, Mystic Force Foundation Co -Founder & Executive Director. • Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES): Principal Dr. Andrea Beck provided updates including the following items: meet and greets, enrollment, staffing, school grade remaining at an "A", school performance, school initiatives, 2-year school theme, events, PTC kickoff, open houses, ESAC meeting, morning announcements, FIU parent workshop, student of the months, book activities, Hispanic heritage, parent feedback, art walk, middle school showcase, night of excellence (2 campus approach with both schools), middle school dance, pee wee prom for kindergarteners, and PTC committee. The City Commission provided input on the items including: school's greatest challenges and way the Board can assist, programming/course corrections, morning announcements, green room, helping lower quartile students, shadowing program, and other school opportunities. No comments were provided by members of the public. 5. APPROVAL OF THE 2025-26 CSUSA K-12 READING PLAN FOR ACES AND DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Vice Mayor Orlinsky. 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. 6. APPROVAL OF THE 2025-2026 CSUSA INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY POLICY FOR ACES AND DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Commissioner Friedland. Page 2 of 4 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School September 18, 2025 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. 7. APPROVAL OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE ACES PARENT FACILITATOR/CONFLICT RESOLUTION OFFICER AND THE DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Vice Mayor Orlinsky. Mr. Pegues reviewed the item and recommended approval to reappoint himself as the ACES Parent Facilitator/Conflict Resolution Officer and to reappoint Kimberly Merchant as the DSAHS Parent Facilitator/Conflict Resolution Officer. 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 ACES CHARTER ENROLLMENT AMENDMENT: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item. Mr. Pegues, accompanied by Ms. Windler-Freitag reviewed the item and recommended amending the ACES Charter by increasing the enrollment to 1,232 students for appropriate funding and future expansion needs. A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded by Commissioner Blachman. The City Commission provided comments. No comments were provided by members of the public. The motion for approval passed unanimously by roll call vote. 9. OTHER BUSINESS: None. 10. PUBLIC COMMENT: The following members of the public provided comments: Jennifer Avidan (DSAHS Parent, 21396 Marina Cove Circle #J-16, Aventura) and former Mayor Enid Weisman (Aventura). Page 3 of 4 Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School September 18, 2025 The City Commission provided consensus for Ms. Avidan's request to be expedited to correct the clerical errors on her daughter's ACES transcript. 11 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Ain, seconded by Vice Mayor Orlinsky, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning the meeting at 10.35 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 January 22, 2026. Page 4 of 4 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23** 26 27 28 29 30 Teacher Planning (No Classes for Students) Recess (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring) Begin/End Grading Period Legal Holiday ** Early Release LEGAL HOLIDAYS Labor Day - September 7 Veteran's Day- November 11 Thanksgiving - November 26 Dr. Martin Luther King Day -January 18 President's Day- February 15 Memorial Day- May 31 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 1 29 1 30 ACES �* ��tfN{E StK4aL Rev: 12/30//2025 M T AUGUST W TH F M DECEMBER T W TH F M T APRIL W TH F First day of school Last day of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th quarter Graduation, No School for grades 9-11 Late start, 10:30am for 2nd period Legal holiday or vacation Teacher Workday, No School Don Soffer Aventura High School Academic Calendar, 2026-2027 M SEPTEMBER T W TH F M T JANUARY W TH F M T MAY W TH F Legal Holidays Labor Day - Sept. 7 Veteran's Day - Nov. 11 Thanksgiving - Nov. 26 Dr. Martin Luther King Day -Jan. 18 President's Day - Feb. 15 Memorial Day - May 30 M OCTOBER T W TH F M FEBRUARY T W TH F M T JUNE W TH F M T NOVEMBER W TH F M T MARCH W TH F CITY OF AVENTURA OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM TO: City Commission FROM: Bryan Pegues, City Manager / DATE: January 16, 2026 SUBJECT: Request for Governing Board Approval of Out -of -Field Waiver for the Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) January 22, 2026 City Commission Workshop Agenda RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission, serving as the Governing Board for the Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES), accept the out -of -field waiver as outlined in this memorandum. BACKGROUND Teachers working on additional certification or endorsements for subjects that they are teaching are considered out -of -field until requirements are met. All teachers hold a current certification. These are additional or unique credentials for their current position. Elementary Education This teacher is certified in a different grade level, field, or subject and has a scheduled testing date to earn certification as an elementary educator. Daniela Gonzalez (ESE) To: Bryan Pegues, City Manager From: Dr. Andrea Floyd Beck, Principal Date: 1 /16/2026 Re: Request for governing board approval of out -of -field waiver Teachers working on additional certification or endorsements for subjects that they are teaching are considered out -of -field until requirements are met. All teachers hold a current certification. These are additional or unique credentials for their current position. Elementary Education This teacher is certified in a different grade level, field, or subject and has a scheduled testing date to earn certification as an elementary educator. Daniela Gonzalez (ESE) Aventura Schools CSUSA 2025-26 Fall Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys CSUSA ./ Survey Scale & Interpreting The Results 6 Point Scale • 3 Levels of agreement with "strongly agree" being the most intense on the positive spectrum • 3 Levels of disagreement with "strongly disagree" being the most intense on the negative spectrum • There is a "I Do Not Know" response option which allows us to get cleaner data by flagging high levels of responses with this option Reporting Total Agree • Combination of "strongly agree", "agree" and "somewhat agree" represents Total Satisfaction • Based on our Charter contract goals, Total Satisfaction is expected to generally be at or above 90% across all cateaories on the survevs and for each stakeholder group 2 Constructs Measured Across Each Stakeholder Group • Engagement • Equal Opportunities (formerly Equity) and Rigor & Relevance • Global Citizenship & Life Skills (formerly SEL Skills) • Loyalty • School Safety • Stakeholder Involvement (formerly Local Decision -Making) • Mission, Values, Promise (MVP) ./ 3 Survey Type Shoal Cade ACES DSAHS Parent Parent 55°, 58°l Survey Participation Summary Staff I Student Instructional Non-Instructlanal All Students Grade 4 Grade 7 Grade 1" 11 9,3% 93% 100% 70% 7?�aI� ° Parent Student Staff High Reliability: 40% and above High Reliability: 40% and above High Reliability: 75% and above Moderate Reliability: Between 40% and 20% Moderate Reliability: Between 40% and 20% Moderate Reliability: Between 75% and 50% Low Reliability: Less than 20% Low Reliability: Less than 20% Low Reliability: Less than 50% I 4 A x CSUSA Aventura City of Excellence School 2025-2026 Fall Parent, Student and Staff Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys 5 ACES Summary Results by Category Top Survey Results • Parent Satisfaction: Across all categories, our ACES families have above average levels of satisfaction when compared to the rest of the network. Their perception of School Safety stands strong at 98% total satisfaction with Loyalty & Engagement at 97% total satisfaction! • Student Satisfaction: All categories improved in satisfaction levels with significant increases in Student Loyalty - up by 10 percentage points, School Safety - up by 9 percentage points and Stakeholder Involvement - up by 8 percentage points. Area for Improvement • Staff Loyalty: This is the only category that declined in total agree as well as the strongly agree responses with a growing percentage of respondents disagreeing to these statements;) am happy working at this school, and 1 would recommend working at this school to a friend. ./ 0 Historical Parent Survey •Strongty Agree OAgree • Sornewhat Agree_ Sorne..h=t _ _agree t -=;r a nrrDl, _ _a-rea 01 dorit knave •Networt Total Agree —Network Strc ; AL 111111111111111111111 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Engagement Equal Opportunities Global Citizenship &... Loyally MVP School Safety Stakeholder Involve,., Historical Staff Survey Strongly Agree *Agree *ScmewhatA. —m _: .a..._: __ =a _ __ as i5trorglyDsagree0Idoniknow /Nea,c-�:alAgree —NemorkStrongly .cg— *To!al.-_-=a MMMEM M ®MMEMT"tize, #. _ A 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Engagement Equal Opportunities Global Citizenship & ... 25 % 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall MVP School Safety Stakeholder Involve,.. Survey NEW am& 6 -1&. + iI11��111111111111 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Global Citizenship & ... 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fail Stakeholder Involve— CSUSA Don Soffer Aventura High School 2025-2026 Fall Parent, Student and Staff Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys W DSAHS Summary Results by Category Top Survey Results • Parent Satisfaction: Across all categories, our DSAHS families continue to outpace the network in satisfaction levels with some of the highest participation rates, which ensures the validity of the results. Parent Engagement is at 98% total satisfaction, Loyalty and School Safety are both at 99% total satisfaction! • Staff Satisfaction: Overall increases in staff satisfaction for all categories with their perception of School Safety at an all time high of 97% total satisfaction and staff Loyalty at 94% total satisfaction. Area for Improvement • Student Engagement: Although there has been significant increases in satisfaction levels among the students at Don Soffer, there is still room for improvement with Student Engagement which is network -wide area of concern. 11 Historical Parent Survey 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Engagement Equal Opportunities Global Citizenship &... Loyalty MVP School Safety Stakeholder Involve... 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Engagement Historical Staff Survey Somers•hat?isagreew6isagreeOStronglyDim greeaIdon tknow *NetucrkTotal .Agree —NetwrkStrGNll Ag s a + -:: a -=-a a 28 9fi 30 % 2d% 26% 111111111 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Equal Opportunities Global Citizenship & — Loyalty 29 4. t� 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall MVP School Safety Stakeholder Involve... Historical Student Survey romibIl .& - -mmi "n =000i 24% ■ 23% ■ 23% - M 24% 19 % 19 % 21 4n 17% 17% 17% 15.% 1596 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 24-25 24-25 25-26 Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Fall Spring Fall Engagement Equal Opportunities Global Citizenship & .., Loyalty MVP School Safety Stakeholder Involve... THANK YOU 15