None

Mr. Santiago wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Removed from the agenda.

None

Principal Tami Christopher and Assistant Principal Robert Anthony gave the update for Connect High School.

Connect High is an independent study/hybrid, dual enrollment high school. Students are in-person two days per week, and learning asynchronously/at home three days per week. If they wish, they may sign up for on-campus support an additional two days a week. Most courses are semester-long. All students have access to ASU college coursework beginning in 9th grade. A student can graduate with 20+ college credits if they begin at Connect HS in 9th grade.

Current enrollment at Connect HS includes 399 students across all ethnicities. About 35% of them qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of socioeconomic status. Universal Design for Learning student supports benefit all students. 

9th Grade supports are robust, to help students transition to not just high school, but to the hybrid structure of Connect. These supports include 9th grade summer bridge, Orientation Day, Algebraic foundations, and 9th grade-only "What I Need (WIN)" and Advisory periods, and ASU's OGL 194, a "learn how to college" 1-unit course.

Dual enrollment including primary partner ASU: 96% of the class of 2025 completed at least one college course. 52% of the class of 2025 completed three or more ASU courses, and 43% of all CHS graduates completed five or more college courses before graduation.

MAP math data shows growth over time in math scores. The test is administered twice a year. The CAASPP test is only administered to the 11th graders. Many students transfer into Connect, some of them in 11th grade, which affects testing data. 

Math interventions include continuing year-long math courses, math staff professional development, Interim Assessment Block (IAB)/Focused Interim Assessment Block (FIAB) implementation, targeted intervention, algebraic foundations for 9th graders, and increasing on-campus instructional minutes by 8,400 (making up holidays, etc.).

MAP reading data:  Connect students are doing well in English. English Language Arts (ELA) interventions include embedding ASU English 101 into English 11, continual assessment and increasing course offerings, implementing IAB/FIAB assessments, targeted intervention, project-based learning professional development, and increasing on-campus instructional minutes by 8,400.

CAASPP data show three year trends (only 11th graders take the CAASPP test) by subgroups like English learners, students with disabilities, ethnicity, and parent education level

Areas of focus are Math FIAB/IAB, data dives with staff and now, with students for both math and ELA, MTSS support periods for students who need a little more than the supports all students receive. The team has a plan to increase the number of students attending office hours (9th graders required to attend math office hours, for example, show better grades. 

Mr. Santiago commented that he would imagine that the parents' level of education would affect students' success, since asynchronous learning is done at home.

Ms. Christopher noted Talking Points, a texting app, which is unique to Connect HS, is used to communicate with parents. Teachers can immediately communicate with families when necessary.

Brief discussion about encouraging parents to further their own education ensued. Dr. Wunder shared that Mr. Christopher Jackson is pursuing his certified financial planner license in order to support Da Vinci families. Dr. Wunder went on to discuss the shifting landscape of Advanced Placement courses, and Da Vinci's dual enrollment approach. Dual enrollment students show a 71% college completion rate vs. 57% of students who didn't take dual enrollment courses.

Ms. Rainey commented that dual enrollment courses are meant to further equity in access for students who don't have the same opportunities and expectations around college. 

Mr. Boston thanked Ms. Christopher, saying that he appreciates the way she and her team use data to drive their work. He inquired if the team looks at where students land in college: regular or remedial coursework in freshman year. Ms. Christopher shared that the team is working to grow Connect's alumni data.

Dr. Wallis commented that one of the things his team is working on is getting alumni to respond to the surveys the team sends out. He has made a note to add the question to surveys, and to speak to high school seniors about is the type of courses they take in college.

Ms. Rainey commented that Ms. Caline Smith, consultant, has been working with all Da Vinci math teachers to help students when they encounter assessments, so that they do not end up disadvantaged by colleges that take those assessments seriously.

Ms. Levenson spoke of the Community Conversation event co-sponsored by Da Vinci, Wiseburn, and Wiseburn Education Foundation to be held the following week. 110 adults have signed up to attend, and will be bringing 96 children with them. There will be supervised activities for the kids, a panel discussion for the adults, and dinner for all. The event is at capacity, with 11 families on the waitlist.

She went on to share cross-collaboration efforts including a DV high school one-pager being given to prospective Wiseburn families; all DV high schools are now included in Wiseburn's prospective family presentations; and DV is included in three articles in Wiseburn's newsletters. Wiseburn's communications team toured Da Vinci Schools. Da Vinci has attended the Wiseburn Middle School coffee, and students have volunteered at many more Wiseburn events.

Mr. Boston inquired about how Ms. Levenson's team can measure the results of their efforts. Ms. Levenson responded that there will be a feedback survey after Monday's family event, which will ask, among other things, if the respondent understands Da Vinci better, having attended the event. 

Dr. Wunder added that it is an opportunity to help correct any community misconceptions about Da Vinci Schools.

Ms. Rainey spoke about the Portrait of a Learner project, shared with Wiseburn. Da Vinci and Wiseburn staff met to discuss their viewpoints and goals on the profile of a learner, where those goals overlap, and how to collaboratively approach educating students.

Mr. Amato introduced Christy White auditor Ms. Vanessa Pineda, who gave the 2025 audit report for Da Vinci Schools. Da Vinci received unmodified opinions (the best opinion possible) regarding financial statements, internal controls over financial reporting and compliance, compliance for each major federal program, and compliance with State programs. There were no findings, deficiencies, or material weaknesses.

Ms. Pineda thanked Da Vinci's and CSMC's staff for their assistance in completing the audit. Mr. Santiago thanked Ms. Pineda.

Mr. Amato shared that he and Mr. Bravo had spoken to NAZ Building Program Advisors regarding the cafe budget. NAZ originally projected $79K to complete the project. Mr. Amato and Mr. Bravo shared that Ms. Zamudio, agreeing with the need to keep costs down, has removed two of her staffers from the project, and will provide an updated cost estimate for the February board meeting.

P1 attendance has just been reported to the State, the first initial measurement for State funding. The figures give Mr. Amato a good idea of where Da Vinci stands. Mr. Amato's first interim budget estimate is made before P1 data is acquired; P2 attendance figures will help him hone the second interim budget in March.

The Governor's 2026-27 budget proposal is not final until the May Revision, but it is the first indicator of the State budget. It was generally good news; the proposal included an increase in the LCFF funding with a 2.41% COLA, which is better than the previous year, and a new discretionary block grant has been announced which Mr. Amato projects will result in $1.26M for DV. In addition, the one-time Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant has been renewed. Last year's one-month deferral will remain for this year, but Da Vinci has a strong cash position, so the impact of the deferral is minimal.

The Governor's proposal also includes more funding for Special Education.

Dr. Wunder commented about the Community Learning Days are a win for students, but come with onerous reporting requirements for students, which has led to a loss of $150K attendance dollars. Ms. Rodriguez is surveying staff regarding converting students' attendance reporting.

Ms. Schaefer commented that she has experienced being notified by her daughter's school to fill out a Google form, but finds that she doesn't have access. Dr. Wunder directed the IT team to follow up.

Mr. Bravo reported on the Saving Hearts Foundation's free heart screening event being hosted at Da Vinci Schools in early February.

The cafe construction has commenced. Connect TK-8 art teacher Chris Mason is designing signage. Mr. Bravo shared the construction timeline. Completion is expected in mid April.

The Connect TK-8 athletic field construction is officially completed, and the field has been returned to Wiseburn Unified School District. Students have been taking advantage of the area - the baseball team has been practicing there.

The WDV Girls' basketball team is doing well as they move toward the playoffs.

Dr. Wunder spoke of shifting the Board meetings to mornings. The team will survey the trustees on their thoughts.

Dr. Wallis shared that the third annual Career Connected Learning Gathering event will be happening in mid-March. The trustees are welcome to join any part of it they wish. DVSF supports the gathering; there is no charge for admission. It is a good way to connect with other educational institutions both locally and from around the country.

Mr. Santiago read aloud the following: “Pursuant to Government Code section 54953, subdivision (c)(3), the Board provides this oral summary of the salary and/or fringe benefit payments provided to the Superintendent by way of the pending employment contract:

• The term of the amended employment contract between Da Vinci Schools and the Chief Financial Officer is from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029;
• The new payment towards a health benefits package is in the amount of $30,000 per year. 

1. All other terms and conditions in the original employment contract remain the same.”

Entered at 7:45 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 9:10 p.m.