Da Vinci Communications teachers Janee Gerard, Kristina Becht, Christopher Jackson, and Dani Guerrero gave comments on Da Vinci Schools' anti-racism commitment and the need for transparency about the work being done to thoughtfully roll out diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices to the wider organization, including staff, students, and families.  Dr. Brann requested copies of the Da Vinci messages to the staff and the teachers' comments be sent to the board (via Alison Wohlwerth).  Mr. Boston thanked Ms. Gerard for bringing her comments on this critical topic to the board.

Ms. Latuner welcomed everyone back to school, saying that she is sure everyone will rise above all the challenges this year.

Mr. Boston thanked the staff for their teaching preparations over the summer, saying that their work is evident in the first week of school.  The team thinks outside of the box, and he appreciates the continued office hours, and the conversations on race at Connect.

Mr. Meath concurred with the other board members.

Ms. Morgan shared that she also serves on the RISE High board, that RISE High has opened a new site at New Earth in Culver City, and that she welcomes questions from the other board members.

Dr. Brann thanked everyone on the greater team during this unprecedented time.  

Dr. Wunder shared that he believes anti-racism and equity work has occurred at the schools, and that the work is ongoing. He feels that perhaps a special board meeting to discuss the topic and address the concerns brought up in public comment is in order.

He also commented that he is responding to staff requests for transparency around the budget, the solidarity statement, and strategic planning.  He feels that these issues are reflective of the need for more clarity around decision-making, and that the necessity is a natural part of the organization's growth. He thanked Ms. Dani Guerrero for her work on a revised process for strategic planning, which Dr. Wunder would like to share with the board at a future meeting.

Dr. Wunder also mentioned a request by a student that the Board consider adding a student representative.  The Board will see more information in September.

Dr. Wunder committed to address all of the concerns at the next board meeting.
Dr. Brann shared the status of the search for candidates to fill the vacant board seats.  

Mr. Amato noted that he would be discussing the summary of the year-end Unaudited Actuals, having previously presented the year-end projections at the last meeting. 

Da Vinci has a healthy cash position which will help weather the effects of State-mandated Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) deferrals.  

The 2019-20 year ended with a healthy net income of $3.176MM, which is divided into Temporary Restricted and Unrestricted funds. Temporary Restricted funds ($961K) are CTEFP funds (restricted to Equipment-related and Construction expenses), and leftover Northrop Grumman grant funds. Unrestricted funds are $1.3MM after adjusting for 30-year depreciation expenses for the Connect Del Aire construction project income. Deducting $600K from CTEIG grants and gym rental of special funding further reduces the Unrestricted funds. The remaining amount, put into Reserves, is a healthy $700K.
  
Mr. Meath thanked Mr. Amato for the report, saying that the dis-aggregated amounts were what the board wants to see.

Dr. Brann asked about the PPP loan.  Mr. Amato responded that the rules keep changing, and the Banc of California has promised to help Da Vinci in the fall when the rules settle down.  Mr. Amato and the Banc believe the loan will be forgiven in full, due to Da Vinci's payroll expenses and rent.

Mr. Scott Warner commented that the application for PPP loan forgiveness should be paused, as the word is that certain of those loans will be automatically forgiven.  

Ms. Carla Levenson gave the fundraising update.

2018-19 = $1.4MM raised
2019-20 = $2.6MM
2020-21 = $2.9MM
The total fundraised for the past three years is $7.1MM, and $69.6MM has been raised since Da Vinci Schools' inception, including the initial charter school facility grant. The numbers above do not include RISE High.

BUT the vast majority of the fundraised dollars are restricted for specific projects (and may come with additional costs), leaving little "excess" unrestricted funds.
For example, the State CTE Facilities Program has a 1:1 matching requirement (in order to receive the $1.6MM funds, Da Vinci has to match it), and the funds must be used for specific expenses. The State CTE Incentive Grant has a 2:1 matching requirement, meaning Da Vinci must spend $1.9MM to get $976K in the last four years. The CTEIG grant's flexibility of usage makes it worth pursuing. The Ahmanson Foundation grant must be spent on general technology, which Da Vinci spends a lot on anyway.  Da Vinci does not pursue grants that do not align with its values.  

Dr. Wunder added that Ms. Levenson's report will be shared with Da Vinci staff for transparency.  He and Mr. Amato have been preparing recorded financial presentations for staff viewing, to help demystify Da Vinci Schools finances.

Ms. Levenson shared that for 2020-21, funding is projected to be $485K in unencumbered funds.  Ms. Sabrina Ayala pointed out that Da Vinci's unrestricted funds amounts to about 22% of the total (which equals only 12 days of cash on hand).  The vast majority of funds are restricted. 
 

Ms. Carla Levenson spoke to the board the strong enrollment interest at Da Vinci Schools.  Each month about 150 new unique applicants apply.

The enrollment projection this year is 2490 students across all schools.  DVC, DVD, DVS, Connect are over enrolled, and enrollment has been paused at Connect High and Remote due to SB 98.

Students come from 113 different zip codes, and there are 1,203 waitlisted students, including 440 for 9th grade.  RISE New Earth is still enrolling.  Connect High shows a lot of diversity.

DVC had 12 no-shows, DVD had 18, and DVS had 6.  These are students who enrolled but never showed up, which is why the enrollment team over-enrolls the sites.

86% of Dana 8th graders moved to DV 9th grade.  31 WUSD residents returned to the district for this year.

Mr. Vicente Bravo shared that his team is assessing the HVAC systems at the schools.  He also commented that they are receiving items which have been ordered such as canopies and standing shields. PPE is also coming in, such as the equipment being provided by the state.

Chromebooks have been issued.  The IT team has handled 400 support tickets for staff and __ for students.

Grab and Go meal distributions are being conducted by the meal team.

Screening will be conducted at the sites using either the Raptor or Facilitron systems.

Dr. Ring thanked the board for approving the new RISE board members, and thanked Nichol Whiteman and Brenda Freiberg for their service to the Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Board of Directors.

Closed Session was entered at 7:31 p.m. 

The public session reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken.

Dr. Wunder requested a special board meeting for two topics:  
The financial report - would like the board to consider reinstating level increases.
He also wanted to respond to the concerns from the public comments, and share with the board the action around diversity, equity and inclusion.  Dr. Brann reminded everyone that the board requested all communications around this topic.

Dr. Brann inquired about the level increases, and Dr. Wunder clarified that the increases would be for all staff, certificated and classified.

Ms. Wohlwerth will coordinate dates for the additional board meeting.