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Ms. Morgan thanked the staff for their work on the restart plan for the fall.

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez commented that she was interested in hearing about how summer session was going for the staff and students.  She thanked the staff for their efforts during the busy summer.

Dr. Jennings shared that there are two candidates for the board whom she and Ms. Montes-Rodriguez were putting forward for the vacant board seats.  Dr. Jennings spoke of Mr. Christopher Taylor, a Systems Engineering Director at Northrop Grumman Aerospace, who is passionate about helping students in communities like those in which he grew up.  Dr. Jennings feels that he would bring beneficial outside perspective to the board.  He has a daughter who is a student in the Wiseburn district.

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez spoke of her impressions of Dr. Carla McCullough, an experienced educator and administrator, who has worked at Gompers Middle School, Alliance College Ready Public Schools, and with the Teach for America Young Associates' Board, and has helped to establish We The People High School in Long Beach.  She has experience reporting to a board as the principal of a school, and is familiar with the policy-making and fiscal responsibility of a board.  The RISE High population is one she feels strongly about, and she feels her experience would be helpful to the board.  Ms. Montes-Rodriguez feels the perspective of an educator and administrator would be very beneficial to the board and RISE High.

Dr. Jennings noted that she does not directly partner with the Teach for America Associates Board, on which Dr. McCullough serves.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez added that the Alliance College Ready Public Schools, at which Dr. McCullough was principal, has a very good reputation in South L.A.
Dr. Jennings commented that Teach for America has a close working relationship with Alliance Schools, but as Dr. McCullough is no longer there, there is no overlap.

Dr. Jennings added that the prospective members would be happy to talk with any of the other board members if they so desire. She asked the other directors to be prepared to elect the new members at the August 19 board meeting.

Dr. Wunder reminded the board members to avoid conversing with each other outside board meetings regarding the prospective new members or other topics, to avoid running afoul of the Brown Act. (This had not occurred, but was a reminder to the board.)  He also mentioned that annual Brown Act training will happen at the next board meeting.  He thanked Dr. Mary Ring, Dr. Jennings, and Ms. Montes-Rodriguez for their assistance with the board recruitment process.

Dr. Wunder commented on the fact that in this year, summer break hadn't happened for the RISE High staff, as it had in previous summers.  RISE faces the challenge of a growth moratorium.  He believes there were good intentions to protect schools from declining enrollment under the pandemic via SB 98, but the resulting "hold harmless" could be very harmful to RISE High.  There would be no new funding for public schools, including public charter schools.  Dr. Wunder spoke of the Governor's signing message in which he asked for targeted solutions to allow for growth, because many districts and charters are growing. The Legislature and Governor may not have any resolution until mid- to late-August.

There is a potential that there will not be additional funding for the planned expanded enrollment at RISE High (about 100 students) on which RISE has already made facility and staffing commitments.  Da Vinci Schools and Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County has partners in Sacramento to assist with lobbying against the hold harmless clause. Dr. Wunder went on to say that there is a distinction between all-virtual schools (although all schools are currently virtual) and independent study schools that provide classroom-based instruction and flexibility for those students who need less than five days of on site instruction.

Dr. Jennings inquired about other Da Vinci Schools.  Da Vinci Connect and Communications are also at risk because it is growing, and is classified as a non-classroom-based, independent study school.

Dr. Wunder spoke of deferrals of 26.5%, which Da Vinci Schools would spend but be unable to recoup until 2021-22.  Ms. Sabrina Ayala spoke of planning for those deferrals and monitoring cash flow.

Mr. Escala added that the budget related to the deferrals was to await federal dollars in the next stimulus package.  If those dollars do not materialize by October 15, it would result in a $23B deficit.  He went on to say that things have to break right, and unfortunately there is more unpredictability in the future especially for charter schools.

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez commented that it would be helpful to look at RISE financials two years out, since the effect of this state budget will have longer term ramifications.  She added that given projected cuts, the board needs to plan financially for critical positions.

Dr. Jennings inquired about anti-racism work at RISE High.  Ms. Kari Croft is on the anti-racism leadership team at Da Vinci.  Ms. Croft commented that it is a focus at Da Vinci Schools organization-wide this year.  The RISE summer school studied "Stamped" by Ibram X. Kendi.  She spoke of the Student and Guardian handbook revisions regarding restorative practices, and the now longer runway for planning when students return to campus, focusing on proactive supports and anti-racism. 

Dr. Ring added that the staff is looking at policies and practices through an equity lens across all of Da Vinci Schools.

She spoke about the RISE High COVID-19 reopening plan.  The team is using expert guidance from various government entities, such as California Department of Public Health, LACOE, and the CDC.

Proposed Return to school timeline:
July 22 Board review and action on plan
July 27-August 7 - professional development
August 10-31 - first day of school, 100% remote
August 19 - Board review of Phase 1
August 31-October 9 - On-site hybrid options for specific students (Special Education, English Language Learning, etc.)
October 19- Winter Break - On-site hybrid expansion

Dr. Ring participated in a call with the Department of Public Health, and unpredictability will affect the timeline.  Updated timelines and plans will be presented to the Board in the future.

RISE administration and leadership has surveyed RISE and Da Vinci stakeholders, staff, and site partners, and has worked closely with XQ leadership.

Dr. Ring spoke of the new LCAP created under pandemic conditions, which expands compliance requirements for remote learning, mental health supports, and funding.
 

Ms. Croft spoke about summer school at RISE High. There were three offerings:  Humanities Workshop, Math Workshop, and Exhibition Workshop.  The Humanities course studied "Stamped," the YA book by Ibram X. Kendi.  The Math workshop used ALEX and daily Socratic seminars.  The Exhibition workshop focused on the completion of a cross-content project-based learning product.  

52 students completed all four weeks of summer school.  All students had to log on daily to attend.  They earned an average of 5.3 credits per student.  The staff were able to use summer school to engage the students.  Some of the New Earth students also attended summer school, giving them a head start in learning the RISE curriculum.  

Staff got to see what rigor and relevance look like virtually, and how to build rapport with students in an online setting (the New Earth students), how to strengthen communication.  The staff especially appreciated facilitating meaningful cross-curricular conversations around current events, race, privilege, and identity.

Ms. Croft commented that there were 15-17 students in each class with three staff members (at least one and in some cases two credentialed teachers).

She went on to speak about the XQ Milestones and Year 4 priorities.  The big priorities are:  increased personalization and student progress monitoring; clarity around hybrid learning and project-based learning (PBL); and whole-school assessments and professional development for English Language Learning and Literacy hybrid/virtual learning.

Ms. Croft went on to elaborate on the reopening plan.  Individual content courses like Spanish, math, etc. would be the focus for the first two quarters, and PBL and Exhibition would be the third and fourth quarter focus. 

Ms. Croft spoke of new hires for New Earth staff, including Humanities teacher E'bow Morgan.  Tiffany Edwards will support.

Dr. Jennings asked if the staff will be back in person next week.  The majority will be working remotely.  Some of the content and compliance work will be done in person safely distanced.

Dr. Ring noted that teachers are considered essential workers.  RISE leadership wants to have staff working remotely as long as possible, and has created a plan for staff to return safely when it is allowed. 
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez asked the teachers on the call how the staff are feeling about the safety measures in place.  Mr. E'bow Morgan commented that the plan is very supportive and straightforward.  The RISE High organization is supportive, and he has worked with Humanities lead teacher Brent Walmsley.  Dr. Ring added that the staff is encouraged to work remotely, and so the few staff on campus are the exception rather than the rule, based on public health recommendations.

Ms. Croft added that the majority of staff participated in a round table about the reopening, and gave feedback on the plan.  

Ms. Tiffany Edwards commented that the round table meeting, was a good example of the way RISE leadership solicits input from the staff.  She feels comfortable about the plan, especially about the periodic check-ins.

Dr. Ring mentioned that the master student schedule on which Ms. Croft and her staff has worked so hard will ensure a seamless adjustment from remote to hybrid learning when the time comes. 

Dr. Jennings thanked the staff.

Mr. Michael Amato updated the board on the back office's work.  The back office is setting up a separate RISE High identity in the Concur accounts payable system.  The bank account will move from Wells Fargo to Banc of California, where Da Vinci Schools banks, which will be beneficial for business banking for the schools.

He then spoke of the Fiscal Year '20 which ended on June 30, 2020, and the projections presented.
RISE had a variance under budget in LCFF revenue related to ADA.  The projected ADA a year ago was 150, but the actual ADA was 122.  RISE received more 2019 revenue than expected, which helped; the variance will be remedied with more XQ funds than originally budgeted.

Expenses were very close to budgeted figures.  In total, RISE is meeting its reserve requirements.

Ms. Morgan inquired about the check register detail.  Mr. Amato clarified that RISE High reimburses Da Vinci Schools for expenses.  Discussion on the check transactions ensued; Ms. Ayala commented that the largest expense for RISE is always payroll.

Mr. Amato displayed the Financial Dashboard before moving on to the FY21 budget summary and scenario planning.  The various models showed the effects on the budget depending on whether or not the hold harmless was modified.

The budget was based on 198.9 ADA representing growth from the previous year, and the amount of funding from the state based on that ADA was conservatively projected.

The first revised model takes into account the State's assertion that they would pay on a flat ADA from the P2 of the prior year, contingent on federal funding.  This model displays the negative effect the hold harmless non-funding rule would have on the budget: a $635K deficit. XQ funds would be taken to cover this deficit.
The second revised budget model shows the result if the state pays for enrollment growth, and RISE would therefore not need to tap XQ funds. 

Mr. Scott Warner spoke of applying for funding from the CARES Act.
He also spoke of accountability plans and the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan, and the Student Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) due on September 30.  Both require stakeholder meetings, public hearing and board approval.  The budget overview is also due in December.

Dr. Ring informed the board about the successful negotiation with the Wiseburn Unified School District on the facilities agreement for the Hawthorne site.

Mr. Bravo spoke of the work still being done to prepare for students returning to campus when safe to do so, even though school will be fully remote to start, such as converting to contact-less restrooms, ordering PPE and technology (hot spots for students that need them), etc.  

Mr. Bravo commented on the newly released LA County Department of Public Health report that spoke to the COVID-19 equity issues.

Dr. Ring informed the board that Mr. Bravo holds regular Monday morning Operations meetings with Da Vinci and RISE leaders.

Mr. Montes-Rodriguez asked Ms. Croft about the graduation requirements and graduation data.  Ms. Croft responded that individual students' credits are tracked, and she will provide that information to the board.  The majority of students are on the RISE pathway, as most of them are over age and credit deficient.  She will provide the percentage of students on each pathway.

Ms. Morgan asked about the changes.  Ms. Croft responded that some of the programming has been refined like Dream See Do updates, and the handbook gives screenshots of those sites, adding New Earth site, and minor changes to social justice.

Page 74 remove reference to Kim Merritt.
Ms. Morgan asked what the administration anticipates about New Earth.  Waitlists at the new site will be handled in the same way that it is at the other sites.  A lottery would occur if there were more applications in the spring than there are spaces available.

Dr. Ring clarified that the board was approving the phased-in start with remote learning for the first two weeks, to be reviewed at the August 19 board meeting with an update from staff on how the remote learning is going, then a next phase based on public health, and bringing back students for potential essential services on approximately August 31/September 1, and extending that opportunity for more students as public health allows.
Ms. Montes-Rodriguez requested updates on major challenges.  Dr. Ring agreed that every meeting will contain that information, and that special board meetings will be called if necessary.
Mr. Escala noted that he is all too familiar with this type of planning, and added that he is comfortable with the RISE High plan.