None

Mr. Ochoa welcomed everyone back from summer and thanked the Real World Learning team for offering opportunities in the summer. His son took advantage of the UCLA Outset summer medicine program and enjoyed it.

Mr. Santiago shared that his son Sai took advantage of Da Vinci's Certificated Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, earning his CNA certificate as a high school junior.

Dr. Wunder thanked the Board and the staff who work hard to welcome back students.

Ms. Rodriguez thanked the Board for supporting Da Vinci's university partnerships, sharing that there are currently 13 counselor student teacher placements across Da Vinci Schools. In addition, we have hired five teachers who completed their Alder residency at Da Vinci, and because of that residency, they have the experience and knowledge of two-year Da Vinci teachers. Da Vinci has also hired one Alder resident from Pepperdine, so in total six Da Vinci teachers have been hired through Alder.

Mr. Amato shared the year-end 2024-25 unaudited actuals as of June 30, 2025. The balance sheet reflects a healthy cash balance, largely due to grant revenue. Fixed assets also are up from the prior 2023-24 year; Da Vinci Schools purchased more fixed assets related to capital projects. Deferred revenue will be spent in 2025-26 and beyond. Mr. Amato's revenue projections were very close to the actuals - about a $700 difference.

Designated funds go toward deferred maintenance, future economic uncertainty (20% of total operating expenses), and ERC funds being held until the IRS audit period has passed. Undesignated funds include $2.8M in released ERC funds and remaining funds after designation.

Mr. Amato went on to share grant funding figures, citing various STEM grants from Northrop Grumman, Chevron, and a State supply chain assistance grant which helps to offset rising costs for the meal program.

It was a strong, positive 2024-25 year.

2025-26 has also been positive thus far. The State finalized its budget in early July. Additional funds have been allocated for the Learning Recovery Emergency Block grant that was awarded several years ago. Mr. Amato did not budget for this as it was uncertain, and will use this revenue in a future year. The State also allocated a new discretionary block grant which will also be used in a future year. Da Vinci will also receive additional State funding for transitional Kindergarten and performing arts. 

Mr. Boston asked how daily attendance is looking, acknowledging that there are only about 10 days of data. Dr. Wunder shared that the Connect High School program is short, but overall, enrollment is going well. Mr. Amato added that the first 30 days' attendance data will be shared at the September Board meeting.

Mr. Santiago inquired about discretionary grant funds, and Mr. Amato shared that the Learning Recovery Emergency Block grant is a little more restricted, but still supports sustainability. The second block grant is new, and completely discretionary, so it may be used on rising health care costs, operational costs, vendor costs, etc.

Dr. Wunder commented that Ms. Levenson shared that over $12M has been raised since January 2024. A lot of it is State funding, but it is a testament to the work going on at the school sites. Mr. Amato noted that Da Vinci will be applying for newly-replenished yearly State CTE and Strong Workforce funds.

Ms. Rainey shared that Da Vinci is currently in the 94% - 98% daily attendance range. Overall 96% attendance. She shared that the team is working on expanding to the other Da Vinci sites a short-term independent study initiative that was implemented at Design last year, and a new State attendance recovery program for classroom-based schools. The Data team is working hard on creating systems to capture the data to allow Da Vinci to benefit from the new State program. Last year, Da Vinci implemented a short-term independent study program last September at classroom-based Communications, Science, and Design. Last year, they recovered 2,459 days of attendance. Design alone recovered 1,579 days.

Ms. Schaefer inquired about the typical range of attendance at other schools. Mr. Amato commented that Da Vinci is typically somewhere between 94-96% attendance, depending on the school and year, but he believes other schools have challenges where they are at 92-93%. One or two percent can make a lot of funding difference.

Ms. Schaefer then inquired about the predictability of recurring and one-time State funds and Mr. Amato's approach. Mr. Amato commented the State is clear on recurring vs. one-time grant programs. Da Vinci uses recurring funding for staffing. Some State funds are specified for certain purposes and have rules for spending. The complexity of the work means that Mr. Amato and his team must be meticulous in closing the books, which takes much of the Business Office's dedicated time.

Dr. Wunder noted the constant risk of re-occurring funds not re-occurring, thus Da Vinci's solid economic uncertainty reserves are helpful. Mr. Amato noted the spending rules on the performing arts funds, where 80% must go toward staffing, and while there may be a one-year carryover, it is "use it or lose it" funding. Mr. Amato and the team make staffing decisions to make the most of the funds.

Mr. Bravo shared updates of the Del Aire construction project, showing some photos of the work, including the lunch area with decomposed granite, the play area, the garden, and the new baseball field. Some maintenance training will be conducted, and the fencing will be completed. The Success Learning Center and Futures Plus buildings are planned to be completed in November/December.  In the meantime, the students are being housed at the 201 campus and the Skybox.

Change orders and the project budget were discussed. $57,500 is Da Vinci's share of the total change order, bringing the total project cost to $274,000. Mr. Amato originally budgeted $280,000, therefore the project is slightly under budget. However, the overall project cost is higher than the originally approved budget. $1.3M total cost.

Mr. Bravo anticipates the Cafe project going out to bid in a couple of weeks, now that DSA has released the project. Mr. Amato reminded the Board that the Cafe project was initiated by Health Department requirements on flooring, ceiling, sinks, etc. He expects the cost will be higher than the budget originally approved a year ago. 

Brief discussion on Da Vinci's food service management partner ensued. The partner contract is put out for bid every five years.

Dr. Wunder shared that instead of Goals & Priorities, he will discuss the more timely topic of enrollment.

He commented Connect High School needs to grow enrollment, and there is an opportunity to expand the space at the 550 Continental Blvd. campus that Connect High School occupies. CHS currently has about 70-75% of the ground floor there. 4,722 sq. feet are up for lease. Other potential tenants are looking at the space. The landlord is willing to work with Da Vinci. Dr. Wunder and his team will seek the Board's authorization to research and negotiate the terms of the lease acquisition, working with a few Board members to support/negotiate terms. Dr. Wunder and Mr. Amato also seek the Board's authorization to sign a lease and ratify it at a future Board meeting only if it is necessary to move quickly. The Board President and/or Treasurer will be kept informed.

This expansion will allow for 30 more students, however, Dr. Wunder and the team are looking at a partnership with ASU for a four-day-on-campus program, which should be attractive to potential Connect High students. 

Ms. Schaefer inquired about the revenue per student and the cost for staffing. Mr. Amato responded that it is about $14,000 LCFF per high school student.  Ms. Rainey shared that Connect High School is still in growth mode, and staffing can be scaled once student enrollment reaches about 500. The team believes they can run the two-day and four-day models with similar courses and shared staffing. How the programs are staffed depends on partnerships and the curriculum delivery model.

Dr. Wunder shared that Arizona State University works hard to recruit students from California, purchasing the Herald building and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Downtown L.A. They are also seeking accreditation for a school of education in California. ASU has a robust high school dual enrollment program and has been partnering with Connect High school to give students college credits in high school. Ms. Rainey noted that CHS is still in its toddlerhood. It takes a while to gain trust and a reputation for a hybrid program. It is a very sustainable model, and there are Connect families who fully support the two-day model, and others who really want a four-day model, so the interest is there.

Mr. Boston inquired if students would start mid-year. Ms. Rainey shared that Connect believes it can bring new students on in January. The construction time will allow the staff to build a robust four-day program. 

Mr. Amato noted the current lease is up in a year, so it will need to either be renegotiated, or the school will have to look elsewhere. There is an opportunity here to negotiate the lease and bring in more students.

Brief discussion ensued on ASU's desire to put their name on a high school and to open a graduate school of education.

Brief discussion clarifying grammatical language ensued.

Closed session convened at 7:22 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 7:59 p.m.

Mr. Santiago reported that no action was taken in closed session.