Da Vinci Schools
Minutes
Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting (RISE High)
Date and Time
Wednesday December 11, 2019 at 6:00 PM
Location
Board Room, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County ("DVLAC") 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 DVLAC 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 or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item.
- 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
A. Montes-Rodriguez, B. Freiberg, J. Morgan, L. Jennings, P. Escala, T. Johnstone
Trustees Absent
N. Whiteman
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
B. Freiberg, P. Escala
Guests Present
A. Wohlwerth, E. Whalen, K. Croft, M. Mayotte, M. Ring, Meikah Nwaoma
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
L. Jennings called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Wednesday Dec 11, 2019 at 6:04 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Approval of Agenda
D.
Public Comments
T. Johnstone made a motion to approve the agenda as amended to include an emergency Closed Session after Section IV - Action Items for Student Discipline (Gov. Ed. Code section 48918).
J. Morgan seconded the motion.
Ms. Freiberg was expected to be physically present, but was on her way to the meeting, therefore her location was not posted on the agenda. Ms. Freiberg's vote did not count, as she was participating telephonically at the time the vote was taken. There was a quorum physically present in the room during the entire meeting prior to Ms. Freiberg's arrival.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Morgan |
Aye
|
| A. Montes-Rodriguez |
Aye
|
| T. Johnstone |
Aye
|
| N. Whiteman |
Absent
|
| L. Jennings |
Aye
|
| P. Escala |
Aye
|
None
II. Information: Board Comments and/or Administrative Reports
A.
From the Board
Dr. Jennings spoke of meeting several donors who have supported Laurene Powell Jobs and the XQ Institute, and thereby, RISE High. She also spoke of supporting two students through A Place Called Home, and of attending the ExED luncheon and seeing DVLAC Board members Paul Escala and Brenda Freiberg there.
Dr. Johnstone wished everyone happy holidays, saying that he loves this time of year. It's a busy but very rewarding time of year.
Dr. Johnstone wished everyone happy holidays, saying that he loves this time of year. It's a busy but very rewarding time of year.
P. Escala arrived.
B.
From the CEO
Dr. Wunder expressed his gratitude to the Wiseburn Unified School District for their support of RISE High. He credited the work of Mr. John Fernandez, Facilities Director, and Mr. Vicente Bravo, Chief Administrative Officer, Operations, Equity and Compliance in preparing to move the site. RISE High Hawthorne's intended move date is early June.
Dr. Jennings offered the Board's support in helping with the move.
Dr. Jennings offered the Board's support in helping with the move.
C.
RISE High Update
Ms. Kari Croft gave an update on RISE High.
It has been a very busy few weeks, and she feels that the quarter is ending in a good place.
Current enrollment is 172, up 43 students from the same time last year. RISE High has experienced turnover; more detainments and more AWOL students, as well as more new enrollments. For the first time, the enrollments at both sites are almost equal.
The percentage of homeless and foster youth has increased dramatically. IEP students are holding steady at 25%; 92% are Free and Reduced Lunch Program students (not counting 10 outstanding applications); 16% are English Learner students. The number of students that RISE High always intended to serve has increased, and ADA has increased slightly every month.
About one third of students (58) attended the optional Fall Intersession, earning an additional 47 total credits. This was the best turnout yet. Spring Intersession will be two weeks long instead of one.
Mr. Escala asked about the courses offered during Intersession. Ms. Croft spoke of the mix of academic and enrichment courses, cross-site field trips, etc.
Fall Student-Led Conferences were attended by 99 students and their stakeholders (out of 160 enrolled), which was a wonderful turnout.
There were 77 Touchpoints in the months of October and November (contacts home from school staff).
There were also seven Family & Stakeholder Collaborative Meetings, similar to a PTA meeting, but more inclusive than just parents.
[BOARD MEMBER BRENDA FREIBERG AND CEO MATT WUNDER ARRIVED AT THIS TIME]
For the first time, a PBL consultant from CraftED worked with the RISE High staff to create a content-specific project for the spring quarter. The consultant is very familiar with Da Vinci. RISE High will continue working with her for the remainder of the year.
The primary recommendations from the Fall LACOE visit were:
Translation of Board Agenda to Spanish (done for the November and December meetings)
Updating Website (in progress)
Launch of EL Advisory Committee & Review of EL Master Plan
Scheduling of Health Screenings
Background Checks/DOJ Affidavits for MSW Interns and APCH partners
Posting of Evacuation Maps
Staff Attendance at LACOE Training on Chronic Absenteeism
Mr. Escala asked whether or not LACOE uses FCMAT criteria for their evaluations. Dr. Ring responded that LACOE has developed their own tools, which use FCMAT criteria.
The Spring LACOE visit is more intensive.
Ms. Croft introduced and welcomed Dr. Rebecca Robertson, the new RISE High Assistant principal. She has over 20 years working with juvenile foster and homeless youth, 10 years of Administrative experience, and 10 years of working in juvenile probation.
It has been a very busy few weeks, and she feels that the quarter is ending in a good place.
Current enrollment is 172, up 43 students from the same time last year. RISE High has experienced turnover; more detainments and more AWOL students, as well as more new enrollments. For the first time, the enrollments at both sites are almost equal.
The percentage of homeless and foster youth has increased dramatically. IEP students are holding steady at 25%; 92% are Free and Reduced Lunch Program students (not counting 10 outstanding applications); 16% are English Learner students. The number of students that RISE High always intended to serve has increased, and ADA has increased slightly every month.
About one third of students (58) attended the optional Fall Intersession, earning an additional 47 total credits. This was the best turnout yet. Spring Intersession will be two weeks long instead of one.
Mr. Escala asked about the courses offered during Intersession. Ms. Croft spoke of the mix of academic and enrichment courses, cross-site field trips, etc.
Fall Student-Led Conferences were attended by 99 students and their stakeholders (out of 160 enrolled), which was a wonderful turnout.
There were 77 Touchpoints in the months of October and November (contacts home from school staff).
There were also seven Family & Stakeholder Collaborative Meetings, similar to a PTA meeting, but more inclusive than just parents.
[BOARD MEMBER BRENDA FREIBERG AND CEO MATT WUNDER ARRIVED AT THIS TIME]
For the first time, a PBL consultant from CraftED worked with the RISE High staff to create a content-specific project for the spring quarter. The consultant is very familiar with Da Vinci. RISE High will continue working with her for the remainder of the year.
The primary recommendations from the Fall LACOE visit were:
Translation of Board Agenda to Spanish (done for the November and December meetings)
Updating Website (in progress)
Launch of EL Advisory Committee & Review of EL Master Plan
Scheduling of Health Screenings
Background Checks/DOJ Affidavits for MSW Interns and APCH partners
Posting of Evacuation Maps
Staff Attendance at LACOE Training on Chronic Absenteeism
Mr. Escala asked whether or not LACOE uses FCMAT criteria for their evaluations. Dr. Ring responded that LACOE has developed their own tools, which use FCMAT criteria.
The Spring LACOE visit is more intensive.
Ms. Croft introduced and welcomed Dr. Rebecca Robertson, the new RISE High Assistant principal. She has over 20 years working with juvenile foster and homeless youth, 10 years of Administrative experience, and 10 years of working in juvenile probation.
B. Freiberg arrived.
D.
Financial Update
Mr. Mayotte gave the Financial Update.
He briefly discussed the highlights of the Financial Audit performed by Christy White Associates. Now that Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County is a separate entity, it must conduct an audit separate from that of Da Vinci Schools.
The audit checks to see that the financial statements are free of material misstatements. The audit gave an Unqualified Opinion, which is what every organization strives for.
Mr. Mayotte spoke briefly on some of the audit's sections:
He briefly discussed the highlights of the Financial Audit performed by Christy White Associates. Now that Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County is a separate entity, it must conduct an audit separate from that of Da Vinci Schools.
The audit checks to see that the financial statements are free of material misstatements. The audit gave an Unqualified Opinion, which is what every organization strives for.
Mr. Mayotte spoke briefly on some of the audit's sections:
- Statement of Activities
- Statement of Functional Expenses, which includes CalSTRS funds, transportation, legal fees, personal & professional services.
- Statement of Cash Flows
- Schedule of Average Daily Attendance (this figure is higher than other schools because RISE enrolls students throughout the year)
III. Approval of Minutes
A.
Approve Minutes of the November 26, 2019 Regular Board Meeting
L. Jennings made a motion to approve minutes from the Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting (RISE High) on 11-26-19 Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting (RISE High) on 11-26-19.
A. Montes-Rodriguez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Action Items
A.
Approve November 2019 Check Transactions Per Management
T. Johnstone made a motion to approve the November 2019 check transactions.
P. Escala seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Approve the Transportation by Private Vehicle on School Trips Policy
J. Morgan made a motion to approve.
P. Escala seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Approve the Student Possession of Cell Phones & Other Personal Electronic Signaling Devices Policy
T. Johnstone made a motion to approve.
B. Freiberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Dr. Johnstone noted that on page 22 of the Board packet, on the Cover Sheet for the Financial Audit action item, under "Background," the sentence "This is required of all charter school" should read, "This is required of all charter schools."
D.
Approve 2018-19 Financial Audit
J. Morgan made a motion to approve.
A. Montes-Rodriguez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Closed Session
A.
Closed Session
L. Jennings made a motion to Adjourn to Closed Session at 6:39 PM.
T. Johnstone seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Emergency Closed Session
Student Discipline (Gov. Ed. Code §48918): 1 case
Student Discipline (Gov. Ed. Code §48918): 1 case
B.
Reconvene to Open Session and Reporting Out
Open session reconvened at 6:54 p.m.
Dr. Jennings reported that there was no action taken.
Dr. Jennings reported that there was no action taken.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
T. Johnstone made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
B. Freiberg 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 6:54 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth