None

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez thanked Dr. Wunder for the communications he and his office have put out regarding the start of school.

Mr. Escala concurred.

Dr. Wunder shared that staff recommends without reservation that the pay level increases be reinstated.  In the spring, the State's 10% LCFF reduction would have significantly impacted the budget, therefore the Board froze the increases.  The State legislature passed a non-classroom-based enrollment growth cap, meaning that RISE High will not collect funds for the New Earth students. Regardless of what so many in the education world think, RISE High is not a virtual school. Dr. Wunder believes that the team will be able to convince those in power that it is a matter of equity and obtain a waiver from the State. The State and Federal funding provides about $12K per RISE High student, although it costs double that to provide all the services the students need. Dr. Wunder also believes the philanthropic world will continue to support RISE High. 

The cost for level increases is approximately $70K.

Dr. Ring commented that the RISE staff is innovative, creative, and hard working, and thanked both staff and leadership for their ability to understand the student population.

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez commented that she wants to keep the priority on the waiver and government funding, and that the County can advocate for RISE High to ensure better articulation of the work being done to support RISE students. She would also like to prioritize philanthropic support and would like the board kept updated on both the waiver and philanthropic support issues.

Mr. Amato noted that an enrollment of 255 students factored into budget planning, and a conservative $40K bottom line was taken with the State's original LCFF reduction (and the pay level increase freeze among other measures) in mind.  Based on the State's new rules, and a 176 enrollment (last year's enrollment, due to the enrollment cap) the LCFF revenue is $1.5MM rather than the $2.275MM originally planned.  The team will request $835K over the originally planned $2MM from the XQ funds.  A decrease in the CMO fee (which is 10% of LCFF revenue) that RISE pays Da Vinci will help to offset the difference.  By the end of the year, $5.5MM will have been taken from the XQ total $10MM five year grant, assuming that other philanthropic funds are not found.  All told, an anticipated surplus of $130K will be put into reserves.

Mr. Escala noted that from his perspective, there is risk, but it is manageable, and reinstating the level increases is prudent to support the staff who daily do the work for students.

Mr. Taylor asked Dr. Wunder about XQ's willingness to help further with the funding.  Dr. Wunder shared that he and the team are in communication with XQ and its other divisions to learn more about what they need and want. He believes that in addition to XQ, there are other organizations that particularly want to serve RISE High's students. Ms. Montes-Rodriguez has pointed the team to a successful grant application for LAUSD that could be used as a model in approaching the County.  Dr. Wunder has hope and sees opportunity, although he knows there are no guarantees.