Dr. Wunder introduced Mr. Kevin Gordon, President of the Capitol Advisors Group. Mr. Gordon provides legislative level support to RISE. He is instrumental to Da Vinci schools supporting initiatives and providing timely information regarding financials and budget. 

Mr. Gordon presented an overview of the treatment of ADA and enrollment growth, reviewed the independent audit guide for LEA's in relation to independent study guides, as well as the mechanics of the budget. 

Mr. Gordon shared information regarding non-seat based instruction versus seat-based instructional programs. He reflected on the potential to change the mindset and definitions currently in place due to the growth in educational technology and optimizing on this opportunity in line with in-person instruction.

Mr. Gordon reviewed the mechanics of the budget and reported that the overall revenue looks good, with four issues to consider. First is the cost of living increase on the local control funding formula, second Prop 98, third repealing supplemental payments, and lastly, payment of deferrals. 

Dr. Wunder noted that RISE is overachieving in serving at-risk youth through a non-seat based model, often considered underachieving by others who view seat-based learning vital. He concluded by thanking Mr. Gordon for advocating for RISE students.

Mr. Gordon commented on RISE's unique story and the value of sharing it to incentive a finance model that can be replicated for similar programs yielding positive results. 

A. Montes-Rodriguez joined the meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Meika Nwamoah addressed the Board and expressed gratitude for the holiday donations.

Naomi Lara commented on her shared gratitude to the Board for their notes and holiday donations. She requested more information about the efforts that Mr. Kevin Gordon referred to in sharing the story of RISE, its characteristics, and student needs with legislators.

Dr. Johnstone wished everyone a happy New Year.  

Ms. Morgan commented on her 1-1 time with Principal Erin Whalen. She shared her appreciation for his time and was reminded of RISE's impact and the amazing work happening. Ms. Morgan also thanked Dr. Ring for the RISE sweatshirt. 

Dr. Jennings also shared her gratitude and wished everyone a happy New Year. She thanked the RISE team for all of their work and ongoing commitment to RISE and our students.

Dr. Jennings shared an update on the open board member seat in which they are continuing to hold on, and not yet moving into recruitment at this time. She asked Board members to review their calendars for the upcoming Board meeting dates to ensure quorum.

Dr. Jennings also welcomed and introduced Elaine Salango, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director.

Mr. Taylor and Dr. McCullough requested a review of the dates for upcoming Board meetings. 

Dr. Ring identified guidance from the LA County Department of Public Health, California Department of Public Health, California Department of Education, and Governor Newsom's proposed Safe School Plan as it pertains to reopening. 

Governor Newsom has canceled the regional stay at home order and returned all counties to color-coded tiers, with Los Angeles county currently in the purple, more restrictive tier. Due to drops in hospitalizations and transmissions, things appear promising as we look to drop down into the red tier, which allows for school openings. 

The COVID compliance team at Da Vinci is following the required protocol and is diligent in adhering to safety precautions. The administration recommends continuing to postpone 1-on-1 appointments in February. RISE will continue to support students with learning continuity needs through STAC meetings, student success meetings, IEP's and 504's plans. Staff continue their attendance outreach and intervention planning with students to increase their ability to engage in school during this hybrid world of asynchronous and synchronous learning.

Dr. Ring addressed the Safe Schools for All Plan and briefly reviewed proposed funding, safety and mitigation, oversight and assistance, and transparency and accountability outlined in the document.

Dr. Ring and Mr. Whalen registered RISE for the new state dashboard, which collects data and tracks supports and needs for reopening plans.

Dr. Ring displayed three year ADA data and discussed RISE's tiered approach to support students' engagement. 

Mr. Taylor asked if the drop in attendance for the 2019-20 school year is due to COVID. Dr. Ring confirmed that the decline in attendance is due to expected COVID closures and shared that in the month before closing, ADA was up about 7% from the prior year. 

Dr. Jennings also noted the increase in ADA from the prior year before school closure. 

Dr. Ring identified and attributed the stabilization of the past five months of the 20-21 year to RISE staff efforts in engaging students. She is hopeful that as students return to in-person learning, we will resume ADA to prior years. 

Mr. Whalen wished the board a happy New Year. 

December data: Enrollment has increased, currently serving 224 students, 45.5% of whom are opportunity youth; 93 Free and Reduced Lunch forms were submitted between APCH and New Earth sites. Staff is working on the Community Eligibility Provision for the 20-21 school year for all three sites. 

Attendance and student engagement project update: The staff is determined to creatively and consistently engage students to provide resources as needed. The team is focused on reviewing data, stakeholder outreach, and holding weekly meetings to review progress, set goals, and identify interventions/strategies. Mr. Whalen also discussed the tiered responses for attendance outreach. 

Shared leadership update: Mr. Whalen welcomed the newly elected officers from School Site Council and the English Learner Advisory Committee. He briefly reviewed topics of discussion for upcoming meetings. 

Professional development and data review: Staff attended a 5-day professional development series with priority-aligned sessions to ensure staff support in continuing the long-term campus closure. The team also extensively reviewed data to observe and discern trends to streamline services. 

New Earth partnership update: Students received donations at the Christmas holiday event hosted in partnership with Nourish LA. Mr. Whalen also reviewed current and upcoming student supports, such as the Career Center launching mid-February and housing support through S.P.Y. 

APCH partnership update: Students received donations at the Family to Family Holiday Giving event in December. APCH offers its first credit-bearing class for students, and case managers at APCH and RISE continue to collaborate to provide additional support to students. 

College and career and senior supports are being provided through weekly workshops assisting students with job applications, colleges, FAFAS and scholarship applications, and vocational programming. Students are also able to track their credits to ensure academic goals towards graduation requirements are met. 

Mr. Whalen discussed the eligibility status for graduation and reported that approximately 30 students will qualify for graduation on June 2021. He also congratulated December 2020 graduates.

Mr. Amato provided updated information regarding the late filing of the 2018-19 tax return. The IRS proposed a penalty of $10,000, and DVLAC has a written request to the IRS for penalty forgiveness. Mr. Amato shared that the tax board is forgiving to first time offenders and new organizations. Forgiveness looks promising as the 2018-19 filing was the first year RISE High School filed as an independent organization: DVLAC. Updates on the matter will be timely. 

Mr. Amato also gave an update regarding the fiscal year 19-20 annual audit. As it is taking longer than expected, it will be shared at the next Board meeting. Everything went well, and the auditors reported no issues, yet did propose one change to the 2019-20 results. In the year prior, RISE reported an income of $98,000, which resulted from LCFF funding coming in late and not knowing what the full amount would be. The auditor proposed to show the results of moving that $98,000 in LCFF, which applies to two years ago as revenue for that year, and adjusting the revenue for this year. 

Mr. Amato reviewed the December balance sheet summary. He discussed the cash balance, revenue inflows, and expense outflows. Mr. Amato commented that the inflow revenue in December is slowed due to less state revenue and that these results are as expected. He also commented on the hold harmless rule in regards to how RISE is getting paid for ADA from the prior year, not actual enrollment for this year. XQ funding is supporting operations in December, and payment is expected in January. The current deficit is a result of the timing of XQ funding, state funding, and expenses.

Mr. Bravo highlighted a recent visit to the Richstone Family Center facility with Roger Van Remmen as a potential partnership for RISE Hawthorne for the 2021 school year. He also shared planning information regarding relocating the current New Earth Culver City facility to the Washington Complex in Los Angeles. More information will be shared in the upcoming months.

Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code 54957(b)) [Executive Director]
Closed session was entered at 7:45 p.m.  

The Board reconvened for Public Session at 8:42 p.m.
Dr. Jennings reported that no action was taken.