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Dr. Steve Wallis presented in place of Dr. Wunder. The first Career Learning Day was held - a redesign of Community Learning Day. The new program allows for a more focused set of workshops for students and allows for workforce funding to pay for student experiences. Students from all campuses, programs, and grade levels participated. Over 350 students arrived to participate. They heard from a motivational speaker before breaking into multi-grade workshops (akin to a career conference). Three more Career Learning Days will be held this year. Attendance is captured by using short-term independent study, which requires the work of a whole team.

Dr. Wunder commented on Career Learning Day, stating that it's a good opportunity for teachers to take a breath personally and professionally. This allows teachers to have a more flexible work schedule. Veronica Rodriguez commented that classified staff can also participate by working remotely for two of the four days. 

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Michael Amato gave the floor to Ms. Carla Levenson, who presented information on fundraising. 

Ms. Levenson stated that Da Vinci has had a strong fundraising year. Foundations, corporations, and state grants contributed to the large fundraising amount. The Golden State Pathways program was a program that gave $4.8 million total, providing 15 four-year grants. Since July 2025, $10,668,000 has been raised. Some smaller grants were also awarded to RISE. At the end of October, the team will hear an update about a Schwab Foundation million dollar grant for which Da Vinci has applied. Ms. Levenson noted that the work is a team effort, thanking consultants Val Green and Andrew Huss, Assistant Superintendents Rainey, Whalen, and Wallis, and Mr. Amato's Business team.

Mr. Amato then discussed enrollment. One month in from the start of school, the current school year shows an increase in enrollment for virtually every site and program. All schools' enrollments are above their budgets apart from Connect HS (CHS + Flex) - four students below their budget - and The Levitt Lab (two below), which is in its first year of existence. From Carry Over programs, there is a 29 student above budget enrollment. For former RISE students, there is a 20 student increase scattered across sites and programs, and from new programs Futures Plus, RISE Above, and The Levitt Lab, there are 113 students. 

Dr. Wunder commented that in Ms. Levenson's fundraising report, it's appreciated that the Board approved fundraising the delta to get the programs up and running at LifeLaunch and The Levitt Lab, and that thanks to Silicon Schools Fund, The Broad Foundation, New Schools Venture Fund, and Charter School Growth Fund, the funds have landed and resulted in this increase of students for enrollment. 

Mr. Santiago asked Mr. Amato if the Life Launch and The Levitt Lab programs are competing for the same students. Ms. Rainey commented that LifeLaunch serves older students, and Levitt Lab and Connect High are serving families wanting something different, and that looks different both from each other and from 201 schools. Dr. Wunder mentioned that an enrollment analysis will be presented at the next board meeting, looking at enrollment trends amidst a state backdrop of falling enrollment. Michelle commented that the CA state superintendent will be holding an open forum on falling enrollment this weekend. Brief discussion on the State's systems for calculating funding ensued.

Ms. Leslie Heimov pointed out that enrollment is falling due to there being fewer students in the state, and that schools are all competing for the same shrinking pool of students. 

Mr. Amato resumed his presentation, moving on to the July Balance Sheet. Compared to last year, there is less cash in the Banc of CA account due to there being more receivables and fewer liabilities; Da Vinci has paid more of its bills this time of year compared to last year. In Accounts Receivable, the main changes are a higher balance due to the closure of RISE and the transfer of grant funds from RISE to Da Vinci. The Da Vinci schools fund also took in $800,000 more in grants and donations. Due from Grantor Governments is down due to the State making LCFF payments to Da Vinci Schools earlier this year. Prepaid expenses are down marginally. Fixed assets and depreciation related to those assets are up - each year, Da Vinci Schools has purchased more assets. Liabilities show that the organization has been paying bills more quickly this year than the previous year. There is one large amount for accounts payable, the final payment to Wiseburn for the baseball field, which was paid in August. 

The State overpaid LCFF funds, so Da Vinci has been repaying it over time. An advance is provided based on P1 attendance, which is almost always higher than final P2 attendance, hence the higher payment for P1. Deferred revenue is also down due to fewer grant funds than the previous year. This is not indicative of any issues, simply a matter of timing. 

Net spend is higher than funds received, which is very normal for the first part of the school year. It is a timing issue due to State funds coming in after expenses are paid out. More has been spent so far this year due to normal expenses being higher this year than last year, but it's nothing out of the ordinary for the month of July.

Vicente Bravo provided an operations update. Regarding parking, two local offsite neighbors are being engaged for potential additional parking for the 201 campus. The new parking system using QR codes is working well, allowing Safety to easily check parking permits. There are about half a dozen students who are not using their parking permits. They will be contacted and their permits may be reassigned to other students on the waitlist. The parking lot at 201 has also been restriped, including in the back which is used for potential student evacuations. The building has also been power-washed. 

The updated Da Vinci Schools Facilities and Grounds Use Policy and Procedures is being presented for approval. Fees and rates have been updated so that Safety, IT, and Facilities staff fees are covered completely by rentals. The last rate increase was in 2020. Other schools' and districts' rates were examined and compared in order to create the new system for Da Vinci. 

The Board is also being presented with a roofing proposal. The TK-8 campus will be receiving a new roof due to potentially bad El Nino weather this winter. Wiseburn has agreed to share the cost for their pre-K classrooms ion the campus. 

This past Sunday, a soccer match was held on the soccer field against the Air Force and the British Army Soccer team. The final score in the friendly match was 6-1, Brits.

Ray Santiago inquired about where the new parking will be. Vicente Bravo replied that Nant Studio's new structure behind 201 might be hosting additional daytime parking (about 75-100 staff spaces) and potentially some evening event parking. Weekends are starting to become hectic for parking due to the number of events happening each weekend. Neighboring Millennium Space Systems already allows us 90 weekend parking spots. The other building the team is working with is the Oceanside Christian Fellowship at Nash and El Segundo, which might allow for 50 parking spots for staff. 

125 parking spots will be the secured if both outside partners agree to allow the spaces.

Closed session convened at 6:35pm.

Public session reconvened at 7:26pm.

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