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Dr. Wunder invited the board members to the Staff Holiday lunch drive-through event on Friday.  The event is being paid through the Da Vinci Schools Fund.

Dr. Scott Weatherford, former Da Vinci Communications principal and now Director of the Alder WIDE Southern California Teacher Residency program.

Current partners in the cohort are Da Vinci Schools, El Segundo Unified School District, Environmental Charter Schools, ICEF Public Schools, WISH Charter Schools, and LA Promise Charter Schools, and of course, Alder Graduate School of Education.  Ednovate will join the cohort next year. 

The program is a teacher training program for resident graduate students, who can obtain their masters degree while gaining practical, mentored experience.  The cohort partners benefit by having teachers on staff.

Alder's program is state-wide, therefore they were used to using a virtual program.  The residents are completing 33-37 units while working with students online.  The co-teaching model with mentor and resident simultaneously working with students remotely has been invaluable this year.

Mentors receive a professional development day once a month to develop their mentoring and coaching skills. Exit surveys at the end of mentor/resident meetings reveal that mentor teachers all agree that being a mentor has been a positive experience and that the program has been beneficial for their students.

2021-22 cohort update
There are 19 residents across the five partner organizations, teaching five subjects in 14 schools.
Da Vinci is currently seeking two-three additional residents in SPED, Math, and Science for the 2021-22 year.  Dr. Weatherford shared that a donor has pledged to give $5K toward each resident's stipend, meaning that Da Vinci Schools will pay only $10K per resident stipend.

Dr. Wunder emphasized that there is a statewide shortage of qualified math, science, and special education teachers, and Da Vinci is participating in the program to gain diverse and experienced teachers.  He also shared that the other cohort partners have informed him that they are pleased with Dr. Weatherford's leadership.

Mr. Amato shared that the First Interim financials are due to Wiseburn by December 15, 2020.  The First Interim financials consist of the October financials and the 2020-21 revised budget.  The October financials will be presented at the December 9th board meeting.

The Revised Consolidated FY 21 budget was presented, which included Connect K-8 and High School, Science with Da Vinci Remote, Communications with DVX, and Design.  The grouping was done this way to maximize State funding in light of the hold harmless rule.  The revenue is based on last year's ADA; Da Vinci is not being paid for full current ADA.

Brief clarifying discussion on ADA ensued.
Mr. Meath commented on the reason the State pays schools based on the previous year's attendance, which is to minimize revenue volatility for schools from year to year.

Mr. Amato went on to describe expected funds in excess of the projected revenue (PPP loan, NSVF grant, Connect fundraising, Learning Loss Mitigation/Elementary & Secondary Schools Emergency Relief funds, etc.).  The PPP loan is expected to be forgiven; there are no tax consequences since Da Vinci is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Mr. Amato detailed expenses, saying that compensation level increases, as well as a 2% COLA increase and salary adjustments, and Connect staffing changes have impacted the budget revision, along with the increase in benefits costs.  

Ms. Morgan inquired about the difference in Design's teaching salaries.  Mr. Amato will bring back a more detailed analysis, however, there are fewer teachers at Design and on average, a younger mix of teachers there.

Books, supplies, services expenses were higher because of COVID-related PPP, technology, and services purchases.  

A consolidated surplus of $4.2MM will be added to reserves.  Mr. Amato shared that expenses would have been shaped differently to avoid a deficit had the surplus funds not been received. .The revised budget will be presented for approval at the December board meeting.

Mr. Amato reported on the 5.2% increase in medical benefits costs (dental and vision benefits did not increase).  The benefits year runs from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, not the Da Vinci fiscal year. The staff recommend an 80% employer/20% employee split in responsibility for the increase.  $66K per year increase to Da Vinci.  The employees' increase will be paid over 10 months.

Mr. Santiago inquired about the usual split.  Mr. Amato commented that there have been years in the past where Da Vinci absorbed the entire increase, and others where the split was different.  Mr. Warner added that many schools pay a flat amount.

Dr. Wunder pointed out that for the majority of the employees (those only insuring themselves who participate in the HMOs), costs are not going up. 
Dr. Hawn noted the $25K life insurance benefit that Da Vinci provides at no cost to all employees.

Mr. Bravo gave an update on the Black Box Theater project, saying that Norah Roque, a consultant, is now coordinating the project.
Equipment lists are being finalized this week, and revisions will be submitted by December 1 to the Office of Public School Construction for approval.  Equipment will be ordered by December 18, and installation should be completed in late February or early March 2021.

Mr. Bravo also shared that Special Education and English Language Learner one-on-one assessments have begun.
The gym floor repair will be complete in December.
CIF sports will remain remote unless and until the public health guidelines and the CIF advise a change.

Closed session was entered at 7:18 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 8:31 p.m.
Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken in closed session.