Da Vinci Schools
Minutes
Da Vinci Schools Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday October 17, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Location
Board Room, 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:
- Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
- "Request to Speak" forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda items or under the general category of "Public Comments," which is time set aside for members of the audience to raise issues not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. Non-English speakers who use a translator shall have six (6) minutes in which to address the Board.
- The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern; if you would like to be contacted, please fill out the "Request to Speak" form.
- The chair will recognize such individuals who wish to speak on a specific agenda item at the appropriate time. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth, and to not repeat remarks made by those who preceded them.
- Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session of the Board which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board members shall be available for public inspection at 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245, during Business Office operating hours.
Trustees Present
B. Meath, C. Pipkin, D. Brann, I. Mora, J. Morgan
Trustees Absent
A. Lofton, R. Bañuelos
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
B. Meath
Guests Present
A. Wohlwerth, C. Levenson, G. White, K. Parsons, M. Mayotte, M. Rainey, M. Ring, S. Wallis
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C. Pipkin called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Wednesday Oct 17, 2018 at 6:05 PM.
C.
Public Comments
A student from Da Vinci Science spoke about the dress code and her opinion that the code is enforced inconsistently among the students at the different schools and between genders. She would like equal enforcement among all students and dress code uniformity across all the schools on campus. Dr. Wunder said that he would follow up with the student.
II. Information
A.
From the Board
Jennifer Morgan asked for an update regarding traffic signage. Temporary signage has been ordered, but the city has not responded about plans for installation about permanent signage.
Dr. Brann spoke about the city's response.
Mr. Mora asked about the opening date for the gym. Dr. Silvers responded that he believed it would be about mid-December.
Dr. Brann is looking forward to the bill hearing to be held by the Da Vinci Science Youth & Government group on November 1. The Y&G group is currently composed of just Science students but is being expanded to the other high schools.
Dr. Silvers said that on November 2, there will be a safety audit of all the Wiseburn schools, and that it might be a good time to include Da Vinci Schools and look at traffic safety at drop off and dismissal. However, Mr. Wallis informed the Board that November 2 is a professional development day, and there will be no students on campus.
Mr. Mora mentioned the effectiveness of flashing yellow lights for school zones.
Dr. Brann spoke about the city's response.
Mr. Mora asked about the opening date for the gym. Dr. Silvers responded that he believed it would be about mid-December.
Dr. Brann is looking forward to the bill hearing to be held by the Da Vinci Science Youth & Government group on November 1. The Y&G group is currently composed of just Science students but is being expanded to the other high schools.
Dr. Silvers said that on November 2, there will be a safety audit of all the Wiseburn schools, and that it might be a good time to include Da Vinci Schools and look at traffic safety at drop off and dismissal. However, Mr. Wallis informed the Board that November 2 is a professional development day, and there will be no students on campus.
Mr. Mora mentioned the effectiveness of flashing yellow lights for school zones.
B. Meath arrived.
B.
From the CEO
None
C.
Metrics Presentation
Ms. White presented the Local Indicators on the Local Accountability Plan. This presentation to the Board is required prior to submission of the data to the state on November 16, 2018.
She presented the California Schools Dashboard, the forward-facing accountability portal. The state tracks statewide data, but the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) measure progress based on locally collected data. There are 8 state priority areas, and five local indicators. The local indicators are: basic services; state academic standards; parent engagement; school climate (student survey responses); access to broad course of study.
She presented the California Schools Dashboard, the forward-facing accountability portal. The state tracks statewide data, but the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) measure progress based on locally collected data. There are 8 state priority areas, and five local indicators. The local indicators are: basic services; state academic standards; parent engagement; school climate (student survey responses); access to broad course of study.
D.
DV Connect Presentation
Michelle Rainey gave an update on DV Connect, saying the school families have embraced the name change. She gave a few statistics: 81.8% of families re-enrolled from last year (similar to previous year's results). DV Connect has 98.6% attendance on on-campus days. 57 students, or 14.2% are Wiseburn residents (similar to last year). State test scores are similar to those of Wiseburn schools. 58 students, or 14%, have IEPs (17 of which are speech only). 13 students, or 20% of those with IEPs, are Wiseburn residents.
DV connect parent and Wiseburn resident Grace spoke of her experience with the school, saying that she met young Da Vinci students and was so impressed by them she researched the school and enrolled her children. She appreciates the support that DV Connect provides and the talented, diverse community of the school. First grade students Olga and Ava spoke about the kindness of their teachers and friends, and the many things they have learned.
Ms. Rainey wrapped up the presentation by saying that she has heard from many of the Wiseburn resident families at DV Connect that they were unaware of the school's existence in their own neighborhood; she would like to be part of rectifying that situation.
DV connect parent and Wiseburn resident Grace spoke of her experience with the school, saying that she met young Da Vinci students and was so impressed by them she researched the school and enrolled her children. She appreciates the support that DV Connect provides and the talented, diverse community of the school. First grade students Olga and Ava spoke about the kindness of their teachers and friends, and the many things they have learned.
Ms. Rainey wrapped up the presentation by saying that she has heard from many of the Wiseburn resident families at DV Connect that they were unaware of the school's existence in their own neighborhood; she would like to be part of rectifying that situation.
E.
Financial Update
Mr. Marshall Mayotte gave a financial presentation.
Enrollment is trending up at this time.
One time expenditures (due to facilities) and other factors are affecting the financials.
Some projects:
Da Vinci Institute Financial plan
Whittier Trust - presentation must be made in January for DVX program
Putting in place other systems to track spending in various areas.
Mr. Meath requested regular finance committee meetings (during the day) be scheduled. Mr. Mora agreed.
Enrollment is trending up at this time.
One time expenditures (due to facilities) and other factors are affecting the financials.
Some projects:
Da Vinci Institute Financial plan
Whittier Trust - presentation must be made in January for DVX program
Putting in place other systems to track spending in various areas.
Mr. Meath requested regular finance committee meetings (during the day) be scheduled. Mr. Mora agreed.
III. Approval of Minutes
A.
Minutes of the 9/19/2018 Regular Board Meeting
B. Meath made a motion to approve minutes from the Da Vinci Schools Regular Board Meeting on 09-19-18 Da Vinci Schools Regular Board Meeting on 09-19-18.
D. Brann seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Action Items
A.
First Note Financial Contract
Mr. Mayotte gave a brief explanation of this item. Prop. 39 provided for about $300K for sustainable programs. The deadline passed two years ago, before Mr. Mayotte's tenure. He believes that there was a misconception that the funds were tied to the old school locations, and the high schools were moving to new locations. The funds are restricted, and may only be used for planning purposes; $300K restricted to electricity spending has to be returned. Mr. Mayotte wants to use the restricted funds for sustainability studies. Dr. Brann said that this topic was previously discussed and expected. Consultant David Cho from First Note Financial will help in finding ways to use the funds before it must be returned.
Ms. Morgan said that she had heard there were air conditioning issues. She thinks the funds should be used to rectify this. More information will be sought.
Ms. Morgan said that she had heard there were air conditioning issues. She thinks the funds should be used to rectify this. More information will be sought.
B. Meath made a motion to Approve.
D. Brann seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Wells Fargo Visa Card
Mr. Mayotte explained that many of our Facilities Director's vendors do not take American Express. He would like to retain a Wells Fargo Visa card with a $10K limit for this purpose.
Mr. Mora asked if accounts could be established with various vendors, obviating the need for a credit card.
Mr. Mora asked if accounts could be established with various vendors, obviating the need for a credit card.
B. Meath made a motion to Approve.
D. Brann seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Closed Session
A.
Conference with Legal Counsel
VI. Closing Items
A.
Reconvene for Public Session/Closed Session Reporting
Public session was reconvened at 7:50 p.m.
Mr. Pipkin reported that no action was taken.
Mr. Pipkin reported that no action was taken.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
B. Meath made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
D. Brann seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth