None

Dr. Kent Rhodes and Dr. Ann Feyerherm presented their report, saying the relationship between Wiseburn USD and Da Vinci Schools can best be described as a partnership built on trust, integrity and mutual support, with a mission-aligned focus on doing what is in the best interest of students and families.  Drs. Rhodes and Feyerherm's goal is to provide practical, applicable advice, identify specific problems and offer guidance for solutions.

The consultants gathered data from 35 individuals (board members, key staff, Foundation members), recent board meetings, documents (Magna Carta, Facilities Use Agreement, communications drafts, strategic plan), public documents on charter schools, authorizers, laws, websites, and the California Schools Dashboard.

They studied the data under four categories:
1) Governance, 2) Communications, 3) Respect/Appreciation & Understanding, 4) Fiscal and Physical Plant

The consultants discussed the opinions they heard from interviewees in both organizations regarding the category topics.
Mr. Boston requested clarification regarding the actual frequency/number of people responding in each category.  Brief discussion on the numbers.

Interviewees were asked for their Points of Pride, which included dedication to providing the best education for students; DV are excellent schools; WUSD provides excellent K-8 education; each board is productive, civil, respectful, intelligent, and committed.  Discussion on continuum of responses ensued.

The consultants found each group holds divergent assumptions.  WUSD-affiliated members began with the unified district, that DV is "our" high school and the district has oversight.  DV-affiliated members led with the belief that the schools are independent charter schools providing education for multiple communities including Wiseburn and WUSD is our authorizer. 

Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Feyerherm's final determination:  re-work the Magna Carta, Facilities Use Agreement, and other systems, and reboot the collaboration. 

Short-Term Recommendations:

• Both boards and key staff agree to stand down from escalation.
• Both superintendents meet to craft options (facilitated).
• Convene a facilitated joint two-day, off-site workshop for both boards and key staff by December 2021. Goals of the workshop:  reach common understanding of and commitment to guidelines and operating principles; oversight and authorizer duties (revise Magna Carta as needed).  Re-calibrate cooperative relationship; steps to be identified and implemented in the next months.  Discussion of perceptions ensued. DV has more power than WUSD in this regard.

Recommendations (not given in priority order):

• Weekly meetings between Superintendents/Monthly meetings between Board Presidents.
• Superintendents (or designees) be informed of and welcomed to cabinet meetings of the other entity.
• Consideration should be given to hiring liaisons between DV and WUSD and the community.
• Create clear structures and processes for community data collection and sharing results. 
• Create a task force of members from both entities (either Board, cabinet or staff) to address future issues/opportunities.
• Resume joint board meetings (2-3 times per year, where collaborative discussions are held (as opposed to only presenting reports).
• Ensure all public communication reflects mutual appreciation & respect.
• Engage Principals across the district to create positive narrative about K-12 and what each school offers (mutual understanding of the learning pathways for K-12 students).
• Planned social events with all board members and key staff twice a year.
• Experiment with an "appreciative inquiry" approach to rediscover and rebuild trust.
• Resolve odd mix of institutional and legal interpretations of the FUA - WUSD explore creative ways to complete building/grounds, DV allocates deferred maintenance funds, revise the FUA to address stalemate.
• Revisit overlapping and redundant use of resources in areas that can help increase communication and efficiencies.
• DV to conduct stakeholder survey to better address perceived deficits of three distinct high schools in one space.

Dr. Rhodes recommends timely action on certain items such as joint board workshops.
Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Feyerherm recommended a survey.  

Prioritization of the recommendations will occur in Phase Two and could be given to the DV board prior to the next board meeting on May 26.

Mr. Wallis reminded everyone that the presentation is an update on the Career Technical Facilities Program Round 6 (CTE Studio).  Work on the grant was begun in 2019, and the Wiseburn Board approved the grant application.  In September 2020, Da Vinci learned that the State Allocation Board approved the grant.  June 10, 2021 is the submission deadline.

The State will give $1,193,841 for the CTE Studio, which Da Vinci must match.  The total project cost is $2,387,682. 
CTEFP Round 6 reimbursement will provide $434,696, in addition to the grant award, therefore, the net remaining funds required are $759,145, which may be paid for by Da Vinci reserves and fundraising.

Mr. Wallis presented the plans for the CTE Studio space and their benefit for not only Da Vinci but the Wiseburn schools and community.

Mr. Rob Murray of King Consulting presented the grant requirements, including Wiseburn as the applicant (managing bid process, ensuring DSA approval of plans) and Da Vinci as the funder (project managing and equipment purchasing) and the collaboration in planning, bidding, and construction.  Design and DSA approval would occur in 2021, Construction would occur in 2022. Funding would occur in 2021 through 2023.

Discussion of Da Vinci Communications and Da Vinci Design access and use of the space, as well as equipment purchasing ensued.

Mr. Santiago shared that he is looking forward to working with the Wiseburn district.
Dr. Webber expressed appreciation to Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Feyerherm.
Ms. Morgan congratulated Mr. Wallis on Da Vinci Science's California Distinguished School Award.
Mr. Meath echoed positive comments and his confidence that the two Boards can work on the issues and return to their collaborative state.

None

Entered at 8:53 p.m.

The board reconvened to public session at 9:41 p.m.
Mr. Meath reported that no action was taken in closed session.
Mr. Meath then reminded the board that CEO evaluations are due to Dr. Hawn.