Da Vinci Schools Regular Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

June 18, 2018, 5:50-9:00 PM

Minutes Approved

Da Vinci Schools

Minutes

Da Vinci Schools Regular Board of Trustees Meeting

Date and Time

Monday June 18, 2018 at 5:50 PM

Location

201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245

Da Vinci Schools ("DV") welcomes your participation at its Board meetings. The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors ("Board") is to conduct the affairs of DV in public. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our schools. To assist you in speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:

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The agenda and documents in the agenda packet will be made available, if requested, in appropriate alternative formats to any person with a disability as required by the ADA, 42 USC section 12132, and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. To request a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, you must contact Matthew Wunder at 310-725-5800 at least 48 hours before a regular meeting, and at least 12 hours before a special meeting. (Government Code § 54954.2(a)(1).)

Trustees Present

A. Lofton, C. Pipkin, D. Brann, I. Mora, J. Morgan, R. Bañuelos

Trustees Absent

B. Meath

Guests Present

A. Wohlwerth, B. Silvers, C. Jones, C. Levenson, K. Merritt, M. Martin, M. Mayotte, M. Ring, M. Wunder, S. Wallis, S. Weatherford, T. Johnstone

I. Opening Items

A. Call the Meeting to Order

C. Pipkin called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Monday Jun 18, 2018 at 6:18 PM.

B. Public Comments

A parent of two Da Vinci students inquired about the Wiseburn Board's response to allegations of teacher misconduct. Mr. Pipkin thanked her for entrusting the schools with her children's education, and for coming to the meeting to address them. He explained that this was the Da Vinci Board meeting, and that two of the Da Vinci Board are also members of the Wiseburn Board. He spoke of the process of investigation for allegations of misconduct in place at the schools, and that while there is nothing the Board can share with the public at this time, more information will be communicated as soon as possible.

Dr. Wunder explained that if an allegation is made, a teacher is put on leave, and if necessary, police are involved. Dr. Wunder further explained that there is no evidence to support the alleged teacher misconduct.

Mr. Bañuelos thanked the parent, and reiterated Mr. Pipkin's explanation of the deliberate structure of the Wiseburn Board and the Da Vinci Board sharing two members, so that the District is aware of what is happening in the Da Vinci schools, and vice versa.

A parent spoke about Da Vinci Science Geometry math requirement where students take Geometry in the summer if they have not already taken it in 9th grade. Mr. Pipkin thanked the parent for her comments. Dr. Wunder said that solutions are being developed in this specific case, and that staff will contact the parent soon.

C. Record Attendance and Guests

II. Information

A. From the Board

Mr. Bañuelos thanked the faculty and CMO staff for their work on the graduation ceremonies, and their hard work with all students. He spoke of attending the Dana Middle School promotion ceremony, and seeing the students who will be transitioning to various Da Vinci high schools. Dr. Brann also attended the Da Vinci graduation ceremonies the previous week, saying that it was wonderful to see the many happy and excited graduates who are moving on to bright futures.

Mr. Lofton spoke of the three schools' graduations and the schools' unique personalities and energy evident at each.
Ms. Morgan said that the schools had in common their use of the phrase, "We do things differently," fond memories of the 9th grade Overnighter trips, and a sense of love and community.

B. From the CEO

No comments.

C. Da Vinci Institute Update

Dr. Weatherford, Ms. Martin, and Ms. Merritt gave a presentation on the Da Vinci Institute 2017-2018. During the past school year, close to 300 people from over 70 schools and organizations attended tours, workshops, or conferences led by Da Vinci staff on our campuses. Mr. Frank Solis also worked remotely with an organization in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Weatherford said they learned a lot about what technology works in that type of situation.

Ms. Merritt spoke on the conference, and the National Design Collaborative, where Da Vinci partners with other organizations like Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC). Ms. Martin talked about the amount of work still to be done in curriculum design, logistics, implementation, etc.

Data and metrics to measure success of the program were touched on; Dr. Weatherford said that the program is planting the seeds that will hopefully lead to participants returning for longer programs where data are more readily obtained. Dr. Wunder mentioned that metrics capture is built into NGLC's requirements.

D. Policy Update

Dr. Wunder introduced presenter Ms. Maria Hwang de Bravo, who previously worked for LACOE in student support services before starting her own firm, Student Support Services Solutions. Her firm helps districts and government education offices produce policies, handbooks, annual notifications, needs assessments, school safety plans, etc. The scope of Student Services is huge, covering many aspects of legal code and many agencies.

For Da Vinci Schools, Ms. Hwang de Bravo has helped create the RISE High countywide charter petition, and assisted in preparing for the RISE High LACOE interview and public hearing. She has created policies such as the Response to Immigration that all California public schools are required to pass by July 1, 2018. This policy informs and requires other policies to be modified and updated (for example: bullying, uniform complaint, student records, attendance, visitors on campus, release of students, etc.).

III. Closed Session

A. Conference with Legal Counsel

B. Reconvene for Public Session/Closed Session Reporting

Mr. Pipkin reported no action taken in closed. Reconvened for public session at 9:35 p.m.

IV. Information

A. Personnel Update

B. Financial Update

Mr. Mayotte gave a presentation on finances. Discussion ensued. Mr. Mora said that he will work with Mr. Mayotte on the finance committee.

V. Approval of Minutes

A. Minutes of the 5/16/2018 Regular Board Meeting

A. Lofton made a motion to approve minutes from the Da Vinci Schools on 05-16-18 Da Vinci Schools on 05-16-18.

I. Mora seconded the motion.