Da Vinci Schools
Minutes
Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting (RISE High)
Date and Time
Wednesday January 22, 2020 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:
- Teleconferencing options are being explored by administration in collaboration with Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County authorizer LACOE.
- 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, J. Morgan, L. Jennings, T. Johnstone
Trustees Absent
B. Freiberg, N. Whiteman, P. Escala
Guests Present
A. Wohlwerth, Brent Walmsley, Chris Howell, Erin Whalen, Lauren Murray, M. Mayotte, M. Ring, M. Wunder, Meikah Nwaomah, R. Robertson, V. Bravo
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 Jan 22, 2020 at 6:05 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Approval of Agenda
T. Johnstone made a motion to approve the agenda.
L. Jennings seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Public Comments
None
II. Information: Board Comments and/or Administrative Reports
A.
From the Board
Dr. Jennings spoke of hosting the RISE High teachers' retreat in the Teach for America office.
B.
From the CEO
None
C.
RISE High Update
Dr. Rebecca Robertson gave the update while Mr. Whalen was en route.
December demographics - December was a short month, which affected attendance data.
Credit attainment - 387 core class credits were attained in Quarter 1 vs. 604 in Quarter 2. As students become more familiar with the system and the work, they gain confidence and attain credits faster.
Seven leaders from another XQ Super School, Washington Leadership Academy, visited RISE High in early January under the XQ Exchange. RISE High staff will visit Washington Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. in March.
The Staff Retreat was held at the Teach for America offices in Downtown L.A. in early January.
December demographics - December was a short month, which affected attendance data.
Credit attainment - 387 core class credits were attained in Quarter 1 vs. 604 in Quarter 2. As students become more familiar with the system and the work, they gain confidence and attain credits faster.
Seven leaders from another XQ Super School, Washington Leadership Academy, visited RISE High in early January under the XQ Exchange. RISE High staff will visit Washington Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. in March.
The Staff Retreat was held at the Teach for America offices in Downtown L.A. in early January.
D.
Presentation: Real World Learning Update
English teacher Brent Walmsley gave a presentation on Success in School and the Real World, saying RISE students need to learn soft skills and to market themselves to employers after graduating from RISE High.
Mr. Walmsley would like to create a Real World Networking event where RISE students can learn to market themselves. He spoke of Dr. Lori Baker-Schena, who started a consulting firm to help women grow and find leadership positions. She also works with high school students, and Mr. Walmsley feels she would be able to facilitate the event he envisions.
A Proposed Event Schedule:
9-10:20 a.m.: Professional training opportunity for adults on how to identify and communicate their strengths to clients and colleagues.
10:30-11:50 a.m.: Presentation to RISE students on how to identify and communicate one's strengths in a professional environment.
12-12:50 p.m.: Lunch with students and professionals
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.: "Speed Dating" round table with students and professionals
Mr. Walmsley requested 1) space to hold the event, 2) lunch, 3) employees who could benefit from the event, 4) employees who would like to share with students, 5) other ideas/contributions
Dr. Wunder commented that professionals often are more easily able to participate at either the beginning or the end of the day.
Ms. Nwaomah commented that about 25 students, especially seniors, would participate.
Dr. Wunder added that Ms. Natasha Morrison, Da Vinci's Director of Real World Learning, would probably have a wealth of information to share, and offered to connect her with Mr. Walmsley.
Dr. Jennings offered Teach for America's help in piloting the event, so that in the next round/iteration, the event could be held elsewhere to extend the reach and the awareness of RISE High.
Board member Ms. Morgan spoke of the proper pitch, to make the value of Dr. Baker-Schena's expertise obvious to potential company hosts. Dr. Baker-Schena would be a paid consultant running the event.
Mr. Walmsley would like to create a Real World Networking event where RISE students can learn to market themselves. He spoke of Dr. Lori Baker-Schena, who started a consulting firm to help women grow and find leadership positions. She also works with high school students, and Mr. Walmsley feels she would be able to facilitate the event he envisions.
A Proposed Event Schedule:
9-10:20 a.m.: Professional training opportunity for adults on how to identify and communicate their strengths to clients and colleagues.
10:30-11:50 a.m.: Presentation to RISE students on how to identify and communicate one's strengths in a professional environment.
12-12:50 p.m.: Lunch with students and professionals
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.: "Speed Dating" round table with students and professionals
Mr. Walmsley requested 1) space to hold the event, 2) lunch, 3) employees who could benefit from the event, 4) employees who would like to share with students, 5) other ideas/contributions
Dr. Wunder commented that professionals often are more easily able to participate at either the beginning or the end of the day.
Ms. Nwaomah commented that about 25 students, especially seniors, would participate.
Dr. Wunder added that Ms. Natasha Morrison, Da Vinci's Director of Real World Learning, would probably have a wealth of information to share, and offered to connect her with Mr. Walmsley.
Dr. Jennings offered Teach for America's help in piloting the event, so that in the next round/iteration, the event could be held elsewhere to extend the reach and the awareness of RISE High.
Board member Ms. Morgan spoke of the proper pitch, to make the value of Dr. Baker-Schena's expertise obvious to potential company hosts. Dr. Baker-Schena would be a paid consultant running the event.
E.
Facilities Update
Mr. Vicente Bravo spoke of the networked I.D. printer that has been acquired to print student and staff I.D. cards for all sites.
Da Vinci Extension has moved into the campus on Rosecrans, and Da Vinci Connect has moved into the Del Aire campus. RISE High Hawthorne, which is slated to move at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, may not be moving into the Del Aire campus. Other sites are being explored for permanency, parking, and space considerations.
Ms. Morgan clarified that there are 6-7 months to find a location. Mr. Bravo explained the Del Aire site is not off the table; but has been moved down on the list of optimal locations.
Dr. Wunder added that the need to look for options for RISE locations came up in mid-December. A proposal will be brought to the Board in February.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez inquired if traffic and neighborhood impact were the deciding factors on the Del Aire site. Dr. Wunder responded that while the community would prefer a younger cohort of students, Wiseburn Unified School District is also performing master planning to best respond to the community's requests for educational opportunities. Everyone is committed to finding a great location for RISE High Hawthorne.
Da Vinci Extension has moved into the campus on Rosecrans, and Da Vinci Connect has moved into the Del Aire campus. RISE High Hawthorne, which is slated to move at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, may not be moving into the Del Aire campus. Other sites are being explored for permanency, parking, and space considerations.
Ms. Morgan clarified that there are 6-7 months to find a location. Mr. Bravo explained the Del Aire site is not off the table; but has been moved down on the list of optimal locations.
Dr. Wunder added that the need to look for options for RISE locations came up in mid-December. A proposal will be brought to the Board in February.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez inquired if traffic and neighborhood impact were the deciding factors on the Del Aire site. Dr. Wunder responded that while the community would prefer a younger cohort of students, Wiseburn Unified School District is also performing master planning to best respond to the community's requests for educational opportunities. Everyone is committed to finding a great location for RISE High Hawthorne.
F.
Financial Update
Mr. Marshall Mayotte gave the update.
Enrollment and ADA have increased every month this year, but a revised budget reflecting the updated ADA may need to be submitted to the Board and LACOE.
The Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (UPP), which is used to determine how much supplemental and concentration funding RISE High receives via the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), has been significantly improved this year due to higher Free & Reduced meal eligibility. LAUSD UPP funding is capped at 85.47% (for concentration grant).
Year to Date Spending between this year and last is higher by $258K, due mainly to personnel costs.
Teacher salary spending has held steady as a percentage of revenue, support staff spending has increased by 33%; supplies spending has decreased by 20%; other operating spending has decreased by 7%. Regarding the first category, non-classroom based compliance requires 40% of revenue be spent on certificated salaries and benefits (which has been met); the last two categories are experiencing improvements due to economies of scale.
About $4.7MM in XQ funds are still available, even though state-funded spending has increased.
Dr. Wunder spoke of an upcoming Emerson Collective/XQ meeting with Da Vinci RISE High in February to discuss potential additional distribution of XQ funds.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez spoke of getting additional LAUSD funding for higher needs student populations and offered her assistance in helping to explain/make the case for RISE High. She will share the LAUSD resolution adopting the highest needs population funding formula and ranking of state schools.
Enrollment and ADA have increased every month this year, but a revised budget reflecting the updated ADA may need to be submitted to the Board and LACOE.
The Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (UPP), which is used to determine how much supplemental and concentration funding RISE High receives via the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), has been significantly improved this year due to higher Free & Reduced meal eligibility. LAUSD UPP funding is capped at 85.47% (for concentration grant).
Year to Date Spending between this year and last is higher by $258K, due mainly to personnel costs.
Teacher salary spending has held steady as a percentage of revenue, support staff spending has increased by 33%; supplies spending has decreased by 20%; other operating spending has decreased by 7%. Regarding the first category, non-classroom based compliance requires 40% of revenue be spent on certificated salaries and benefits (which has been met); the last two categories are experiencing improvements due to economies of scale.
About $4.7MM in XQ funds are still available, even though state-funded spending has increased.
Dr. Wunder spoke of an upcoming Emerson Collective/XQ meeting with Da Vinci RISE High in February to discuss potential additional distribution of XQ funds.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez spoke of getting additional LAUSD funding for higher needs student populations and offered her assistance in helping to explain/make the case for RISE High. She will share the LAUSD resolution adopting the highest needs population funding formula and ranking of state schools.
III. Approval of Minutes
A.
Approve Minutes of the December 11, 2019 Regular Board Meeting
J. Morgan made a motion to approve the minutes as amended Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting (RISE High) on 12-11-19.
L. Jennings seconded the motion.
as amended to read, "Dr. Wunder expressed his gratitude to Wiseburn Unified School District for their support of RISE High" in the From the CEO section.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Action Items
A.
Approve December 2019 Check Transactions Per Management
T. Johnstone made a motion to approve the December 2019 Check Register.
L. Jennings seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Approve 2020 Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board Meeting Calendar Revision
J. Morgan made a motion to approve the 2020 DVLAC Board Meeting Calendar Revision.
A. Montes-Rodriguez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Brief discussion of Brenda Freiberg's decision to resign from the Board as of March 1, 2020.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
L. Jennings made a motion to adjourn.
J. Morgan 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 7:12 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth