Da Vinci Schools
Minutes
Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Special Board Meeting (RISE High)
Date and Time
Tuesday July 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County ("DVLAC") welcomes your participation at its Board meetings. The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors ("Board") is to conduct the affairs of DVLAC in public. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our schools. To assist you in speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:
- Teleconferencing will be held through Zoom. Join the Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/95349888356, Meeting ID: 953 4988 8356, or dial (669) 900-6833.
- Agendas are available to all audience members online at https://dvrise.davincischools.org.
- Audience members who wish may speak on any agenda items or under the general category of "Public Comments," which is time set aside for members of the audience to raise issues not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. Non-English speakers who use a translator shall have six (6) minutes in which to address the Board.
- The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item.
- The chair will recognize such individuals who wish to speak on a specific agenda item at the appropriate time. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth, and to not repeat remarks made by those who preceded them.
- Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session of the Board which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board members shall be available for public inspection at 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245, during Business Office operating hours. For more information call the CEO's office at 310-725-5800.
Trustees Present
A. Montes-Rodriguez (remote), C. McCullough (remote), C. Taylor (remote), T. Johnstone (remote)
Trustees Absent
J. Morgan, L. Jennings
Guests Present
E. Salango (remote), E. Whalen (remote), J. Hawn (remote), M. Amato (remote), M. Wunder (remote), V. Bravo (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
T. Johnstone called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Tuesday Jul 6, 2021 at 12:05 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Approval of Agenda
C. Taylor made a motion to approve the agenda.
C. McCullough seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Jennings |
Absent
|
| C. Taylor |
Aye
|
| T. Johnstone |
Aye
|
| A. Montes-Rodriguez |
Aye
|
| J. Morgan |
Absent
|
| C. McCullough |
Aye
|
D.
Public Comments
None.
II. Action Items
A.
Approve Facilities Agreement Between Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Rise High & Richstone Family Center (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022)
C. Taylor made a motion to Approve Facilities Agreement Between Da Vinci Schools: L.A. County Rise High & Richstone Family Center (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022).
C. McCullough seconded the motion.
Dr. Wunder shared that Richstone requested additional money for a security deposit which exceeded the total amount previously approved at $141,000. With the additional $20,000 security deposit, Board approval is required for a total cost of $161,000.
Mr. Amato clarified that a pre-paid deposit holds as long as we are tenants. At the end of the term, Richstone will assess if there are damages. The money acts as a traditional rent security deposit. It can be used to cover damages or will be returned in full.
Mrs. Montes-Rodriguez asked if the amount is due to having a school on-site and that property damages would be guaranteed out of the security deposit. Mr. Amato agreed and shared that our lease covers us for damages, repairs, or things we did not pay for during the extent of our lease.
Dr. Wunder shared that the request for the lease is reasonable.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Mr. Amato clarified that a pre-paid deposit holds as long as we are tenants. At the end of the term, Richstone will assess if there are damages. The money acts as a traditional rent security deposit. It can be used to cover damages or will be returned in full.
Mrs. Montes-Rodriguez asked if the amount is due to having a school on-site and that property damages would be guaranteed out of the security deposit. Mr. Amato agreed and shared that our lease covers us for damages, repairs, or things we did not pay for during the extent of our lease.
Dr. Wunder shared that the request for the lease is reasonable.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Morgan |
Absent
|
| A. Montes-Rodriguez |
Aye
|
| T. Johnstone |
Aye
|
| L. Jennings |
Absent
|
| C. Taylor |
Aye
|
| C. McCullough |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Revised 2 Year Budget for Material Revision Submission to the LACOE
C. Taylor made a motion to Approve Revised 2 Year Budget for Material Revision Submission to the LACOE.
C. McCullough seconded the motion.
Dr. Wunder shared that we used more XQ dollars than anticipated this year due to loss of enrollment, lower ADA, and loss of growth due to the pandemic. The previous budget Board approved and submitted to LACOE, at their request, is a breakeven budget. Mr. Amato then created a 1 school-site scenario. At a recent meeting, LACOE gave the direction to create a budget that reflects the 3 school-site model as stated in the original petition.
Mr. Amato noted that the current budget presented reflects a formula error in the benefits expense section discovered a few minutes prior to sending the budget. The correction increases expenses by approximately $78,000, and the budget is breakeven to a deficit of $70,000. The bottom line is still being approved, and the solution is to reduce the CMO fee by that same amount. Dr. Wunder commented that the cuts would come from the 10% of central office time and fees Da Vinci Schools pay.
Dr. Johnstone inquired about the STRS contribution. Mr. Amato shared that the rate the state published for the 22-23 school year is 19.1%, and the current year (21-22) rate is 16.92%.
Mr. Whalen shared that the revised budget maintains the integrity of the model as written. Staff analyzed how it would be possible to provide the same quality for students by looking at things from a different lens. In-house positions were cut down where those services and benefits could be utilized within the partnership.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Mr. Amato noted that the current budget presented reflects a formula error in the benefits expense section discovered a few minutes prior to sending the budget. The correction increases expenses by approximately $78,000, and the budget is breakeven to a deficit of $70,000. The bottom line is still being approved, and the solution is to reduce the CMO fee by that same amount. Dr. Wunder commented that the cuts would come from the 10% of central office time and fees Da Vinci Schools pay.
Dr. Johnstone inquired about the STRS contribution. Mr. Amato shared that the rate the state published for the 22-23 school year is 19.1%, and the current year (21-22) rate is 16.92%.
Mr. Whalen shared that the revised budget maintains the integrity of the model as written. Staff analyzed how it would be possible to provide the same quality for students by looking at things from a different lens. In-house positions were cut down where those services and benefits could be utilized within the partnership.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Johnstone |
Aye
|
| A. Montes-Rodriguez |
Aye
|
| L. Jennings |
Absent
|
| C. McCullough |
Aye
|
| J. Morgan |
Absent
|
| C. Taylor |
Aye
|
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
C. Taylor made a motion to Adjourn Meeting.
T. Johnstone seconded the motion.
LACOE is still progressivly reviewing the budget. WIll need to work with them further.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Johnstone |
Aye
|
| A. Montes-Rodriguez |
Aye
|
| C. Taylor |
Aye
|
| L. Jennings |
Absent
|
| J. Morgan |
Absent
|
| C. McCullough |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:27 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Salango