Executive Director January 2026 Board Report

St. Louis Voices Academy

Prepared by: Dr. Jazzmine Nolan-Echols Aligned to the Executive Director Performance Framework (Nov 2025–Oct 2026)

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I. Executive Summary

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The school is undergoing a stabilization and restructuring phase focused on restoring operational discipline and long-term sustainability. Major efforts have centered on leadership realignment, internalizing systems, and rebuilding academic and operational structures.

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A. School Status

• Leadership and staffing restructuring finalized
• HR operations fully transitioned to BambooHR
• Financial systems internalized and reporting centralized
• Seven critical hires completed with full staffing projected by February 9
• Media arts embedded across the curriculum
• Reinforcement of schoolwide behavior and safety expectations
• Excess transportation costs for students outside the contract area eliminated
• Compliance inquiries addressed and unlawful site visit attempts halted

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B. Key Challenges and Upcoming Focus

• Facility HVAC inconsistencies
• Parking and transportation logistics
• Staff credentials and training development
• Operational compliance and data systems
• Final board approvals for restructuring and enrollment procedures
• Preparation for upcoming legal proceedings and fundraising initiatives

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Personnel Management & Organizational Structure

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The organization has transitioned to a leaner and more efficient staffing model aligned with operational needs. Human resources systems are fully digitized, and staffing stability has improved following the restructuring process.

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A. Staffing Dashboard

• Filled Positions: Majority of instructional and administrative roles filled
• Vacancies: None anticipated after February 9
• Staff Retention: Stabilizing following restructuring
• Compliance: Certifications, background checks, and benefits enrollment verified
• Evaluations: SOP-aligned staff performance reviews implemented

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B. Organizational Updates

• Eliminated redundant leadership roles including:
  • Operations Manager
  • Office Coordinator
  • Behavioral Interventionist
• Created new roles:
  • Assistant Head of Schools
  • Social Services Coordinator
  • Family & Student Services Coordinator
• Digitized payroll processing, reducing administrative time significantly
• Professional development conducted focusing on:
  • Mathematics instruction
  • I-Ready implementation
  • PowerSchool data usage

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Instructional Program & Academic Performance

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Instructional delivery has stabilized across classrooms and academic expectations have been reinforced. Curriculum redesign has integrated media arts throughout core instruction to enhance engagement and interdisciplinary learning.

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A. Academic Dashboard

• I-Ready assessments completed schoolwide
• Data-driven tutoring plans implemented
• Attendance and enrollment monitored daily
• Weekly classroom observations conducted

B. Instructional Updates

• Full-year curriculum mapping presented during professional development
• Media arts integrated into:
  • Radio
  • Podcasting
  • Storytelling
  • Social emotional learning
• Instructional monitoring includes:
  • Data team meetings
  • Coaching during planning periods
  • Timely grading and assessment reporting
• Student “Morning Show” launched through digital broadcasting platforms
• Enrollment expansion planning for Grade 4 underway

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School Culture, Behavior & Safety

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Instructional delivery has stabilized across classrooms and academic expectations have been reinforced. Curriculum redesign has integrated media arts throughout core instruction to enhance engagement and interdisciplinary learning.

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A. Academic Dashboard

• I-Ready assessments completed schoolwide
• Data-driven tutoring plans implemented
• Attendance and enrollment monitored daily
• Weekly classroom observations conducted

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B. Instructional Updates

• Full-year curriculum mapping presented during professional development
• Media arts integrated into:
  • Radio
  • Podcasting
  • Storytelling
  • Social emotional learning
• Instructional monitoring includes:
  • Data team meetings
  • Coaching during planning periods
  • Timely grading and assessment reporting
• Student “Morning Show” launched through digital broadcasting platforms
• Enrollment expansion planning for Grade 4 underway

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Operations, Finance, and Facilities

Operational systems have been streamlined to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Financial oversight and facilities management are now handled internally with significantly improved transparency.

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A. Finance Dashboard

• Financial systems fully internalized
• QuickBooks migration completed with historical reconciliation
• Monthly budget reporting available in real time
• Operational costs reduced significantly through vendor terminations
• Paid before/aftercare program introduced

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B. Operations & Facilities Updates

• Building heat restored and HVAC issues under evaluation
• Classrooms decluttered and modernized with new instructional boards
• Internal custodial and maintenance model implemented
• Transportation contract scheduled for termination due to safety concerns
• Internal transportation model projected to significantly reduce annual costs
• Parking and drop-off procedures currently under redesign

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VI. Compliance Reporting

The school remains in compliance with regulatory requirements and continues to address outstanding documentation requests. Compliance systems have transitioned to digital platforms to improve record keeping and reporting accuracy.

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A. Compliance Dashboard

• No outstanding violations reported
• SPED compliance actions completed
• Sunshine Law requests fulfilled and documented
• PowerSchool implemented as the primary data management system

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B. Compliance Updates

• External regulatory inquiries continue to be monitored
• Commission-related site visit requests remain under legal review
• Resubmissions of compliance documentation completed with vendor assistance
• Data systems transitioned fully to digital reporting

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Strategic Development, Partnerships & Fundraising

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Strategic partnerships and internal system improvements are supporting long-term growth. Facility optimization and operational restructuring are creating new opportunities for program expansion.

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A. Strategic Progress Dashboard

• Internal operational systems fully functional
• Enrollment infrastructure restored
• Facility spaces reclaimed for academic programming

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B. Strategic Updates

• Partnership established with local educational programs to support culinary arts internships
• Interns assist with:
  • POS operations
  • Inventory management
  • Compliance training
• Website infrastructure moved to internal hosting and management
• Enrollment processes redesigned with evaluation procedures

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External Relations, Family Engagement & Enrollment

A. Enrollment Dashboard

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• Enrollment is stable at 132 students 
• Grade 4 expansion planning underway

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B. Family & Community Engagement Dashboard

• Families informed of behavioral expectations
• High alignment with the school mission is reported

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C. Narrative Update

Families have expressed support for the reinforced academic and behavioral expectations. Enrollment protocols are being revised to ensure alignment with state law and school model appropriateness.

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Long-Term Planning, Risk Management & Institutional Health

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Financial, operational, and governance risks have been significantly reduced through restructuring efforts. Strategic planning now focuses on sustainability, enrollment growth, and facilities planning.

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A. Strategic Risk Dashboard

• Payroll budget reduced significantly from prior semester levels
• Operational control restored
• Financial oversight strengthened

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B. Risk Management Updates

• Technology systems centralized under school administration
• Internal transportation model projected to reduce long-term expenses
• Active litigation matters continue to be managed by legal counsel
• Strategic planning underway to support long-term financial stability

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Commission Relations

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Communication with regulatory authorities continues as legal matters and compliance documentation are addressed. The board plays a key role in ensuring institutional alignment with regulatory expectations.

A. Updates Provided

• Sunshine Law disclosures submitted
• Court hearing rescheduled for further testimony
• Depositions and legal proceedings ongoing

B. Required Board Actions

• Board review of compliance communications
• Approval of bus leases for transportation transition
• Formal acknowledgement of legacy financial liabilities

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Board Directives Tracker

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Board directives continue to guide major operational initiatives. Progress on these directives is tracked to ensure accountability and timely completion.

A. Directive Status

• Internal Transportation Transition – In Progress
• QuickBooks Migration – Completed
• Staffing Realignment – Completed

B. Implementation Updates

• Transportation contract termination scheduled
• Vendor ACH and historical accounting data fully migrated
• Organizational structure aligned with new staffing model

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Attachments in BoardonTrack

• Supporting documentation has been compiled for board review and transparency. These materials provide verification for operational, financial, and compliance actions referenced in this report.A. Attachments
  • Updated Organizational Chart
  • Staffing and Hiring Summary
  • Financial Reports
  • Compliance Correspondence
  • Professional Development Materials
  • Vendor Contracts and Termination Notices
  • Internal Transportation Cost Projections