None

Dr. Brann expressed his excitement for the 2021-22 school year, acknowledged everyone's hard work, and the observed the need for everyone to take a break after the last school year.

 

Dr. Wunder commented that there is much work behind the scenes to finish staffing needs, and the principals and support staff have been working hard.  He noted that the staff is closely following the COVID variant news and changing health department guidance.  He added that many students attended summer school for extra support and credit recovery.

Dr. Wunder shared that the State government trailer bill contains new independent study guidance, and staff expect more changes in the future.  Staff is receiving guidance this week on the new "rules of the road." Further information will be shared later in the meeting.

Dr. Brann commented that the rural members of the Small School Districts Association (SSDA) were disheartened by the news coming from Sacramento.

Dr. Wunder added that Da Vinci will provide a high quality program, and the staff will adapt to the changes. 

Dr. Brann commented that trustee Jennifer Morgan not being in attendance, the report will be given at the August meeting.

Mr. Amato spoke of the L.A. County Office of Education (LACOE) COVID testing reimbursement funds that are available for school districts. Qualifying expenses include staff time and any flow through expenses incurred for equipment and supplies.

Dr. Webber inquired about receiving reimbursement for Facilitron screening expenses.  Discussion on LACOE's progressive actions ensued.

Regarding ESSER III funds, Mr. Amato said they are related to the American Rescue Plan, the most recent funding from the Biden administration.  This round of funding requires an extra layer of compliance on how the entity will use the funds.  The plans are due October 29, with much stakeholder feedback required before board approval.  Funding would be $1.9MM across the Da Vinci school sites.  These funds will be used in 2022-23.

Mr. Amato went on to discuss the closing of the year ending June 30, 2021.  The full unaudited financials will be shared at the August meeting. In the 2nd Interim financials, Mr. Amato projected a net surplus including stimulus and PPP funds of approximately $4.8MM.

The 2021-22 budget approved at the previous meeting did not require changes.

Dr. Hawn spoke of the new independent study law.  All schools are required to offer an Independent Study program for at least one year.  Connect will have to make changes for the new requirements.  Daily synchronous instruction is required to be offered in TK-3rd grade.  Grades 4-8 are required to offer some interaction with teachers and synchronous instruction once a week.  Connect High school and any 201 school that offers independent study will also have to offer synchronous instruction once a week.

Dr. Hawn and the Connect staff are working with legal counsel on revised policies and master service agreements with parents, and will bring them to the board in the August board meeting.

Mr. Denniston added that education trailer bills also called for all deferrals to be paid off and created six new funding programs, and he hopes that some of them will be applicable to Da Vinci Schools.

Dr. Wunder commented that the trailer bill also extended the charters for each of the Da Vinci Schools to June 2025.  He added that there is a different federal bill that will create a $7B federal emergency technology fund to ensure that all students have access to computers and hot spots.  IT Director Jesse Corral is working on accessing the funding.

Dr. Wunder also shared Athletics funding figures over the past four years at Da Vinci Schools.  Athletics expenses for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were lower due to the effect of the pandemic stoppage.  $437,815 has been budgeted for athletics in 2021-22.  Dr. Wunder commented that through Measure CL, Wiseburn Unified School District has generously contributed $180K per year for athletics, and Dr. Silvers, a former athletic director, is lending his advice.

Dr. Brann would like the staff to provide a list of CIF sports for the 2021-22 year to the board in an informational email.  He also requested the staff look at the new golf course that is being installed in El Segundo and would like to see if a school golf team could be started to take advantage of the course.  Dr. Wunder also commented that the Da Vinci Schools athletic director is looking at adding water polo.  

Mr. Boston would like to see the level of participation across all the sports for the last four school years, broken down by gender, and a discussion on how the various sports are selected. Dr. Brann commented that this should be a board report and discussion.  

Dr. Green shared COVID procedural updates that are being instituted.  There has been a 20-fold increase in cases in the past month.  L.A. County is again over 2,500 cases per day.  The Da Vinci COVID team will be suspending the daily symptom and temperature checks, as the County has moved those to recommendations as opposed to mandates.  Mr. Boston clarified that showing up at school (students and staff) is equivalent to attesting that they do not have symptoms or been exposed to a positive case.  Dr. Green explained that the staff will be emphasizing messaging to help students and staff understand the protocols.

Masks will be required indoors for all regardless of vaccination status.  Assigned seating in classrooms will help with contact tracing. Distancing has been reduced to three feet.  Cleaning will occur in the evenings.  Use of outdoor spaces will be maximized.  All students will eat outdoors. The State has issued guidance that students with a COVID positive close contact can still go to school (although they must suspend other activities like sports), but must be tested twice a week.  L.A. County may take up similar guidance.  

Vaccinations were discussed. Legal counsel has been consulted.  It is a legal gray area while the vaccine is approved for emergency use.  More industries and starting to require vaccination for their employees.

Dr. Brann asked Dr. Green if she has enough support from the Board for COVID needs.

Mr. Bravo briefly discussed the move of RISE staff from the old Dana site to Richstone Center.  DVX and Connect High School will be moving on August 2 to 550 Continental Blvd.  The Facilities and IT teams have much work to ensure both moves are executed smoothly.  The Tiny Houses have been moved to temporary storage at the Del Aire site.

Filming will recommence and finish before school starts.  Da Vinci Schools will be hosting the robotics regional competition again.  Mr. Bravo reminded everyone that the Athletic section of the website is maintained and updated regularly.  Athletic Director Moreland is instituting a process for selecting sports to add to the program.

Discussion from Mr. Boston on the distinction of supported sports vs. extracurricular clubs.  Mr. Bravo shared that CIF sports are sanctioned.  Archery is overseen by a different organization, not CIF, but is a designated sport at Da Vinci.  Dr. Wunder commented that seminar and extracurricular activities are not funded from the athletics budget.

Dr. Wunder thanked Dr. Silvers and the Wiseburn Unified School District for the use of the old Dana site over the years.  Da Vinci owes a debt of gratitude to the District.
 

Item pulled for action after Closed Session
 

Mr. Meath thanked Mr. Denniston, CSMC, and Mr. Amato for their work on the revised CSMC service agreement.

Closed session entered at 7:07 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 8:22 p.m.
Dr. Brann stated that no action was taken in closed session.

The Board then voted on the Action Item for the CEO/Superintendent's employment agreement (see vote above).

Dr. Wunder shared that the Wiseburn district passed the license agreement for Da Vinci Connect K-8, and it will be presented at the August 25 Da Vinci board meeting for approval.

Dr. Brann shared that the Wiseburn Unified School District Board had planned to vote on the 50% funding of the soccer field, but the item did not go forward. Dr. Brann reminded the audience that the Da Vinci Board had not approved the item either, having split the vote (3 to 3, with one trustee absent) during its meeting on June 23, 2021.  The District Board was concerned that they would not have funding to support it.  Bids received for the demolition of the old Dana Middle School site, the Wiseburn Board's top priority, factored into this decision.