Da Vinci Schools
Minutes
Da Vinci Schools SPECIAL Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday March 26, 2020 at 7:30 AM
Location
Zoom meeting
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:
- Teleconferencing will be held through Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/311459276, Meeting ID: 311 459 276, or dial +1 669 900 6833.
- Agendas are available to all audience members on the Da Vinci Schools website at www.davincischools.org.
- Audience members who wish may 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
B. Meath, D. Brann, J. Morgan (remote), K. Latuner (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Wohlwerth, Aileen Harbeck, Blake Silvers, C. Levenson (remote), E. D'Souza (remote), J. Hawn, M. Rainey (remote), M. Ring (remote), M. Wunder (remote), S. Wallis (remote), V. Bravo (remote)
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 Thursday Mar 26, 2020 at 7:32 AM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Approval of Agenda
B. Meath made a motion to approve the agenda.
J. Morgan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Latuner |
Aye
|
| B. Meath |
Aye
|
| J. Morgan |
Aye
|
| D. Brann |
Aye
|
D.
Public Comments
None
II. Board of Trustees Action
A.
Discussion of Candidates for Open Board Seat
The board discussed candidates for vacant seat number 5 on the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees.
Dr. Brann verified that the seat is to replace Mr. Kenneth Brown, whose term was up for renewal on 9/10/2020. The person who fills seat number 5 would have an initial term that would be up for renewal on the same date. Renewals are for three-year terms.
Dr. Brann spoke about the two candidates who are the finalists for the seat. One of these candidates' names will be sent to the Wiseburn Board for confirmation. Da Vinci Board trustees have all had the opportunity to speak with the candidates.
The first candidate is Chris Taylor, of Northrop Grumman. His name was put forth by his colleague, Mr. Brown. Mr. Taylor is the Director of Payload Systems Engineering in the Space Systems Division of Northrop Grumman. He is a graduate of Tuskegee University and the University of California, Berkeley. Da Vinci Schools has long enjoyed a partnership with Northrop Grumman.
The second candidate is Derrick Boston, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Counsel at Virgin Orbit LLC. He has children who attend Da Vinci Connect and Da Vinci Science, and is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
Ms. Latuner commented that Mr. Boston's legal background would be helpful on the board.
Mr. Meath commented that he appreciates the fact that Mr. Boston is a parent at Da Vinci, and agrees that his legal background would be beneficial.
Further discussion ensued.
Dr. Brann verified that the seat is to replace Mr. Kenneth Brown, whose term was up for renewal on 9/10/2020. The person who fills seat number 5 would have an initial term that would be up for renewal on the same date. Renewals are for three-year terms.
Dr. Brann spoke about the two candidates who are the finalists for the seat. One of these candidates' names will be sent to the Wiseburn Board for confirmation. Da Vinci Board trustees have all had the opportunity to speak with the candidates.
The first candidate is Chris Taylor, of Northrop Grumman. His name was put forth by his colleague, Mr. Brown. Mr. Taylor is the Director of Payload Systems Engineering in the Space Systems Division of Northrop Grumman. He is a graduate of Tuskegee University and the University of California, Berkeley. Da Vinci Schools has long enjoyed a partnership with Northrop Grumman.
The second candidate is Derrick Boston, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Counsel at Virgin Orbit LLC. He has children who attend Da Vinci Connect and Da Vinci Science, and is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
Ms. Latuner commented that Mr. Boston's legal background would be helpful on the board.
Mr. Meath commented that he appreciates the fact that Mr. Boston is a parent at Da Vinci, and agrees that his legal background would be beneficial.
Further discussion ensued.
B.
Nomination of New Member
B. Meath made a motion to approve the nomination of Derrick Boston to the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees and the forwarding of his name to the Wiseburn Board of Trustees for confirmation.
K. Latuner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| D. Brann |
Aye
|
| B. Meath |
Aye
|
| J. Morgan |
Aye
|
| K. Latuner |
Aye
|
Brief discussion of the further process to fill the Board seat ensued, as Dr. Brann spoke of working with Dr. Neil Goldman of the Wiseburn Board on a revised process for confirming new Da Vinci Board trustees, saying that there were two additional seats to be filled, and that Senate Bill 126 had decimated the diversity on the Da Vinci Board in one fell swoop.
Dr. Brann will apprise Dr. Goldman of the results of today's meeting.
Dr. Brann will apprise Dr. Goldman of the results of today's meeting.
III. Information
A.
From the Board
None
B.
From the CEO
None
IV. Closed Session
A.
Conference with Legal Counsel
Entered at 7:57 a.m.
V. Closing Items
A.
Reconvene for Public Session & Closed Session Reporting
Open session was reconvened at 8:50 a.m.
Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken.
Dr. Brann requested that the meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday 3/31 should remain on everyone's calendars, as it may be cancelled if deemed unnecessary, pending the Wiseburn Board's actions at their meeting.
Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken.
Dr. Brann requested that the meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday 3/31 should remain on everyone's calendars, as it may be cancelled if deemed unnecessary, pending the Wiseburn Board's actions at their meeting.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
J. Morgan made a motion to adjourn.
B. Meath seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Morgan |
Aye
|
| K. Latuner |
Aye
|
| D. Brann |
Aye
|
| B. Meath |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth