Archery students and some parents made comments.
Sarah Nitsos read from an essay that her son wrote during his 9th grade year at Da Vinci Science on the impact of archery on his life.

Robert Nitsos, parent, and alumna Emma Johnson spoke on the archery program at Da Vinci Schools.  Mr. Nitsos gave the context of the comments regarding changes in the archery program.  Ms. Johnson, a former member of the archery program, and an archery coach, described the makeup of the archery program participants (from three Da Vinci high schools and all grade levels), and the work of various adults who support the program.

Ms. Linda Cessor read a letter from Idida Briones, head of the Olympic Archery in Schools program.

Dr. Brann and other Board members thanked the group for their comments.  

Mr. Ken Brown commented on the start of school, saying that his older child had just started college and his younger child had just started at Da Vinci Schools this week.  

Mr. Israel Mora welcomed staff and students back to school.  

Mr. Roger Bañuelos welcomed everyone to the 2019-20 school year.  He added that his third child had just started at Da Vinci Science this week and spoke of his pride in all of the Da Vinci schools and programs. He requested more information on archery funding and process from Dr. Wunder.

Dr. Brann spoke of seeing all the students arriving at school on the first day of the 11th year of  Da Vinci Schools.  He commended the staff and Mr. Vicente Bravo for the smoothness of the day in the face of challenging logistics.  

Dr. Brann also asked for more information on the archery program, CIF sports, and facilities from the Athletic Director, and thanked the guests for their attendance and comments.  

None

Dr. Wunder, Dr. Hawn, and Ms. Rainey gave a presentation on Da Vinci Connect.

Dr. Hawn spoke of having worked with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to determine if college competencies aligned to a-g high school courses, and whether or not high school students could do the college-level work alongside high school work. The goal was to allow students to work on a two or even four year degree while in high school, and perhaps add a year or two in additional coursework.  The integration of high school diploma and college degree would also allow students to avoid college debt.

Ms. Rainey spoke of focusing on real world skill sets and the need to make students employable by learning to solve problems outside of existing, predetermined solutions.  At Da Vinci Extension, students work with SNHU, UCLA Extension, and El Camino College on college courses toward either an AA or BA degree (SNHU), or transferable IGETC credits (UCLA Extension, El Camino).  Ms. Rainey added that the goal is to take an existing, fine-tuned, well-embraced DVX program and back it up into the high school experience.

Components of the four years would include financial literacy; soft skills; and social emotional learning.
Key elements of the program would be:

• Integration of High School Diploma and College Degree (Dual enrollment via SNHU, UCLA Extension, El Camino College)
• Community Relationships (Synchronous, face-to-face instruction; asynchronous, online instruction; field learning; face-to-face with Zoom support; student-led meetups)
• Employable Skill Sets (Financial literacy; internships; "soft skills"; social emotional learning)

Da Vinci has the foundation of successful program (Connect K-8, Da Vinci Extension), and can leverage that success with Connect High School.  Ms. Rainey is currently piloting a program with nine students who want to tackle college early.  Adding more of an audience with Connect High School can help expand DVX as it deserves, while also relieving pressure on the other Da Vinci high schools and providing more options for students.

Dr. Wunder added that he thinks it is wise to put all of Da Vinci independent study in one charter petition.  Dr. Hawn outlined anticipated outcomes:  
1. Charter revision - December 2019
2. Successful completion of high school and college coursework - June 2020
3. Course descriptions - July 2020
4. A-G approval - February 2021
5. Happy kids pursuing their passions - now

Dr. Brann spoke of Da Vinci being on the leading edge and keeping up with the advances and deadlines.  He spoke of perhaps needing a workshop to further work on the issue.

Mr. Mora asked about charter law changing in January.  Dr. Wunder spoke of the two bills moving through the legislature:  AB 1505 and AB 1507.  One of the bills would curtail independent study schools.  Dr. Brann added that the legislature is facing a September 11 deadline for these bills.  Dr. Wunder spoke of needing to give the Da Vinci and Wiseburn boards more of a runway to consider the change to the charter petition.  His goal is to discuss the charter changes with the Wiseburn board in early October.

Dr. Brann gave a bit of the history on the origins of Connect under the requirements of the charter laws of 2008.  He advised paying close attention to the laws, which can change quickly.

Dr. Blake Silvers commented on sending his oldest child to Da Vinci this year, and thanked the Da Vinci team for helping his family with the transition, saying that his daughter has come home everyday with a smile.  

Dr. Wunder thanked the staff who brought up this inquiry for their professionalism, saying that they had done a lot of research.  It's a complex issue, and the team wanted to discuss it with the Board.

Dr. Hawn commented that legal counsel was consulted, due to the equity impact.  Employee leaves are complicated.  Catastrophic leave has clear boundaries and criteria defined by Ed Code.  It is optional for charter schools.  A new process/system would have to be created for the requested type of sick leave transfer; catastrophic leave protocol cannot be used.  

Mr. Mora asked about next steps.  Dr. Hawn spoke of this being a policy change.  
Mr. Brown asked about financial costs.  Dr. Hawn responded that there could be additional costs (such as hiring substitute teachers, and more use of sick days as trades occur).

Dr. Brann asked for more work on the issue.
Ms. Morgan clarified that this is an equity issue, and that she sees both sides.  In her opinion, much as she would want to say yes, it would be really difficult to do.

Mr. Bañuelos clarified that it is banked sick leave that is being considered for transfer.  He asked whether the maternity leave days that a mother doesn't take would be able to be transferred to someone else.  Dr. Hawn responded that under the law, 17 weeks of maternity leave is allowed, but within that time frame, once banked sick leave has been used up, any remaining time taken is unpaid.
Dr. Brann mentioned that for certificated staff, the unused sick leave has value at retirement, as it can be credited as time worked.
Mr. Mora would consider it, saying that there wouldn't be many cases/requests, and the flexibility is desirable to employees.
Ms. Morgan pointed out that if the rule is created, more requests may appear, and the work must still be done by someone.
Dr. Brann agrees with Mr. Mora that this issue should be studied further.
Mr. Brown is in favor of looking into it further, and at creating a process where equity and financial impact are considered.

Dr. Brann spoke of needing to set up a catastrophic leave bank at Da Vinci Schools.
Mr. Meath would also like to study it further, adding that legal counsel should be consulted, and certificated employees should acknowledge in writing that they are giving up the future value of the sick leave.

1:11:10 on tape
Mr. Bravo gave a brief update.
Bungalows are set up at the Del Aire site.  
Fire alarms will be installed in all restrooms there.
Plumbing and flooring are being worked on at the present time.
The non-functioning air conditioning in the front office must be replaced.

The Da Vinci Extension move to the Continental site has been successful.  The parking issue has been amicably resolved.  The student body was given options (parking at the Aviation site and using TAP cards for transportation to the new site, etc.).

Mr. Bravo described the process of researching security companies, after Da Vinci parted ways with its former security company.  He is presenting two companies for the Board's review.  He is also looking at an internal security team, at less cost and greater continuity.  

Mr. Mora asked about the amount budgeted for this expense.  The Campus Security Officers (CSOs) are still on campus.  A new officer, Stephanie Martinez, has joined the team.  Dr. Brann thanked Chief Whalen for placing the CSOs on campus.  Dr. Brann also thanked Mr. Bravo for the smooth flow of traffic on the first day of school.

Mr. Brann clarified that the CSOs' work has been augmented by staff and administration.

Mr. Mora spoke of his concern that it will be difficult to find the right people for the pay.  
Ms. Morgan commented on the rationale for not retaining the security company.

Discussion about the CSO's stopping drivers who are committing unsafe maneuvers ensued.

This item was removed, as the books are not ready to be closed.

In lieu of the Financial Update, Dr. Brann requested a brief discussion on the enrollment update prepared by Carla Levenson.

Brief discussion on enrollment ensued.
Ms. Levenson spoke of over-enrolling with an eye toward attrition.  There are currently 825 on the waitlist for grades 9 through 12.  
Mr. Brown asked about percentages of enrollment acceptance - how many students who are accepted actually attend?
Ms. Levenson spoke of 88-89% of Dana graduates who enroll at Da Vinci, and the 80% of Connect graduates who enroll at Da Vinci high schools.  
Discussion on preferences and Wiseburn residency ensued.

Ms. Levenson also spoke of the very few enrollment issues this school year.

Ms. Morgan and Mr. Meath both spoke to the nominee, and approve.
Mr. Brown spoke with some of the nominee's peers.
Dr. Brann spoke to one of the nominee's PLTW peers as well as to the nominee.

The nominee told Dr. Brann that Da Vinci Schools have served her children well.
Mr. Mora thanked Dr. Brann for all of his time.  He would like the Board to consider interviewing the top two or three candidates.  Dr. Brann responded that this was a more formal process than that used for Mr. Brown, but that it is essentially the same process.

Ms. Morgan expressed her own thoughts that there would be three candidates.  Mr. Bañuelos would like to interview the top three candidates, acknowledging that he was not available earlier to do so.  

Mr. Meath clarified that the Board would like Dr. Brann to afford the top three candidates the chance to interview with the full Board.
The Board expressed the desire to individually speak to the other candidates.  

For future process, Mr. Mora would like a minimum of three on the subcommittee, and the committee may be made up of more than Board members.  
Further discussion ensued; Dr. Brann proposed taking the next month to allow the Board to meet with the top three candidates.  He will send his findings to the Board.

Mr. Brown spoke of the CCAP agreement having been approved at the El Camino College's Board meeting earlier in the week.  El Camino College would like to expand the partnership with DV.

Legal counsel will be consulted regarding Mr. Brown's possible conflict of interest.

This item was pulled for further discussion.

Entered at 8:09 p.m.

Open Session reconvened at 9:57 p.m.

Dr. Brann asked for a motion on Item C.
Mr. Banuelos moved to approve Item C.; Mr. Brown seconded.
Vote was unanimous
Aye 6
Nay 0