Da Vinci Schools

Minutes

Da Vinci Schools Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday February 19, 2020 at 7:30 AM

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:
  1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
  2. "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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
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 Alison Wohlwerth 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

B. Meath, D. Brann, I. Mora, J. Morgan, K. Latuner

Trustees Absent

R. Bañuelos

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

B. Meath

Guests Present

A. Wohlwerth, Aileen Harbeck, B. Silvers, Bernard Bella, C. Levenson, J. Hawn, M. Mayotte, M. Ring, M. Wunder, R. Diaz, S. Wallis, V. Bravo, V. Rodriguez, Wendy Tsubaki

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

D. Brann called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Wednesday Feb 19, 2020 at 7:31 AM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Approval of Agenda

J. Morgan made a motion to approve.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Public Comments

None

II. Information

A.

From the Board

Dr. Brann shared that he and Dr. Wunder had a positive meeting with Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of NantWorks and the Los Angeles Times.

Mr. Israel Mora expressed his regret that SB126 forced him to tender his resignation from the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees effective March 19, 2020.

Dr. Brann thanked Mr. Mora for his invaluable service to the Da Vinci Schools.
B. Meath arrived.

B.

From the CEO

None

C.

Operations Update

Mr. Bravo spoke of the successful hiring of the internal security team.  At the next Board meeting, Mr. Glenn Noya will introduce the team.  

Mr. Mora asked about the status of the girls' soccer team.  Mr. Bravo shared that the team had played but unfortunately had been defeated in the final game of the season.  

D.

Financial Update

Mr. Mayotte spoke of the enrollment and ADA trends between P1 and P2.  Attrition has been lower this year, which resulted in better ADA.

He shared that he believes net income will be about $1MM at the end of the fiscal year.  

20-25% of the school's income is received at the end of the fiscal year.  Mr. Mayotte believes this year's "catch up" funding will be close to $1.6MM.

Mr. Mora asked about the reserves and line of credit. He would like to start with zero reserves and look at the schools' status at the present time, not the past, and would like to know the monthly cost of the loan.

Mr. Mayotte explained why net income can fluctuate, citing varied year-to-year differences in fundraising, outside service costs such as substitute teachers, and delayed invoices.

Summary of Improvements: 
Unduplicated pupil Percentage (UPP) improved 
Changes in SELPA membership
ADA improvement
Reductions in supplies spending
SMAA and LEA

Ms. Morgan requested clarification about the Institute and Facility reimbursements.   Mr. Mayotte believes the funds will be realized at the end of the school year or early next year.

Dr. Brann asked about the Annual Giving campaign, starting March 2, 2020.

III. Approval of Minutes

A.

Approve Meeting Minutes of the January 15 Regular Da Vinci Schools Board Meeting

J. Morgan made a motion to approve the minutes from Da Vinci Schools Board Meeting on 01-15-20.
I. Mora seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved with corrections:  In Information Section D, Facilities Update, the surname of Mr. Vicente Bravo was accidentally omitted in the first sentence.
In Information Section A, clarifying wording (in brackets) was added on the following sentence, as Mr. Meath had not been present at the January meeting:  [Dr. Brann added that] Mr. Meath had [earlier] expressed interest in working on those goals.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Brann
Aye
I. Mora
Aye
J. Morgan
Aye
R. Bañuelos
Absent
K. Latuner
Aye
B. Meath
Abstain

IV. Consent Agenda

A.

Accept Check Register - January 2020

J. Morgan made a motion to accept the January 2020 check register.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approve the Renewal of Christy White Associates' Contract for the 2019-20 Audit

J. Morgan made a motion to approve the renewal of Christy White Associates' Contract for the 2019-20 Audit.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Approve Memorandum of Understanding between Da Vinci Schools and Wiseburn Unified School District Consenting to Assignment Under Facilities Use Agreement

J. Morgan made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Da Vinci Schools and Wiseburn Unified School District Consenting to Assignment Under the Facilities Use Agreement.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approve the Assignment and Assumption of Subleasing and Sublicensing Rights Under Facilities use Agreement

Mr. Mora asked for consideration of the large budget items. Item tabled until end of meeting.

E.

Approve National High School Journalism Convention Trip for DVC Journalism Pathway Students

Ms. Morgan asked for clarification on the number of students who apply for the trip, and the process for choosing the participants.

Ms. Latuner asked if parents are going, and if the male:female ratios will be met.

Ms. D'Souza responded that the two advisors attending are female.  Only seniors in the Journalism pathway may apply for participation.  Ms. D'Souza will consider the need for a male advisor after reviewing the applications and update the Board members.  

Mr. Mora inquired about the funding for the trip.  The response was that the funds were to be taken from general CTE dollars and the DVC budget. 
I. Mora made a motion to approve.
B. Meath seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Approve Da Vinci Institute Travel to Isendoorn College

Ms. Morgan expressed her concern that a full-time math teacher would be traveling in March, leaving the classroom to a substitute teacher.

The costs (including the substitute teacher) would be covered by the College's payment for the training.
Drs. Wunder and Hawn offered to obtain answers to the Board's questions on duration of the trip.

This Item was tabled.

G.

Approve School Accountability Report Card (SARC) for DVC, DVD, DVS, and Connect

J. Morgan made a motion to approve the School Accountability Report Card for Da Vinci Communications, Design, Science, and Connect.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Approve Comprehensive School Safety Plans for Da Vinci Communications, Design, and Science

J. Morgan made a motion to approve the Comprehensive School Safety Plans for Da Vinci Communications, Design, and Science.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Closed Session

A.

Conference with Legal Counsel

Entered at 8:20 a.m.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Reconvene for Public Session & Closed Session Reporting

Public session resumed at 9:39 a.m.
Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken in Closed Session

Mr. Mora had left the meeting at 8:45 a.m.
J. Morgan made a motion to approve the Assignment and Assumption of Subleasing and Sublicensing Rights Under the Facilities Use Agreement. (Action Item D.).
D. Brann seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

J. Morgan made a motion to adjourn.
K. Latuner 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 9:45 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth