Dr. Monique Ingram, Wiseburn Unified School District's new Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, introduced herself.

Dr. Brann administered the Oath of Office to the Student Board members.

Ms. Morgan welcomed everyone back to school.
Mr. Ochoa also welcomed everyone back, saying that he looks forward to the year.

Dr. Webber shared that she had spoken with students and staff at Connect and Science, and that everyone is enthusiastic about the school year.

Mr. Meath shared that he looked forward to hearing about the school opening.

Dr. Brann commented that Ms. Morgan has agreed to keep track of messages from the public and to ensure that the board and staff are informed.

Dr. Wunder commented on independent study rules during the pandemic, saying that this is the first time that school districts, charter schools, and labor are in agreement that the State must listen to the needs of school districts and schools regarding independent study legislation currently going through the State capitol.

He also shared that in an effort to be a better listener to the Wiseburn community and all parents/guardians, he is creating the Da Vinci Schools Parent/Guardian Advisory Council, which will conduct meetings starting in mid-September.  He would like participants from each Da Vinci school who can give constructive feedback and disagree without being disagreeable.

Dr. Wunder also shared that Ms. Morgan had requested a confidential cybersecurity report which IT Director Jesse Corral prepared.

Mr. Steve Wallis and Ms. Carla Levenson gave an update on the CTE Studio project.  Ms. Levenson recapped the awards for the CTEFP Round 6 grants as well as the timeline for the project.  The new construction grant funds must be matched by Da Vinci Schools.

Ms. Morgan commented that Da Vinci has always been great at forward thinking and future planning. Since the pandemic, workspaces need to be flexible.  She asked if the staff has taken that into account. Mr. Wallis confirmed that the open space will be easy to configure and reconfigure to meet the needs of changing programs.  A metal shop, wood shop, and digital lab will go into the space; all the schools will share the spaces for their programs. 

Plans must be submitted to the Office of School Construction by October 27, 2022.  Ribbon cutting is expected in August 2023. 

Mr. Santiago asked about prefabricated buildings and the budget. Mr. Wallis explained that the architects begin the design process and then either a custom-built or prefabricated structure is chosen.  Demolition/preparation of the site factors into the cost.

Mr. Ochoa commented that since the space is to be used for learning, it offers the students the opportunity for real world experience in the civil and structural engineering.

Dr. Emily Green spoke of the phased reopening approach, saying that the 201 schools, RISE High, and Connect opened at different days, offering the opportunity to learn and quickly adjust.

Masks are required indoors at all times and are optional outdoors, regardless of vaccination status per the L.A. County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). Students and staff have been compliant.

Many precautions are being taken, such as masks, plexiglass, assigned seating, having all students eat outdoors, screening, avoiding close contact (defined as within six feet for longer than 15 minutes), etc.  Dr. Green reminded staff that assigned seating is particularly important for accurate contact tracing.

Students with symptoms are isolated and picked up by parents.
Positive cases are reported to the school nurse, site principal, or Chief Operating Officer/HR. Contact tracing is conducted and close contacts are notified by the school nurse. 

Close contacts can undergo a modified quarantine by testing on day five (per LACDPH). Rapid and PCR testing is offered at the 201 schools and Connect.  As of August 25, nine positive cases have been reported among students and staff. 

Per the LACDPH,  three cases linked to a school (transmission and connected contraction point) could warrant switching the school to distance learning. 

Ms. Morgan asked about vaccination rates.  The State of California has passed a public health order that educators and healthcare workers must be vaccinated or be tested weekly if not. This public health order is effective on October, 2021.  Dr. Hawn shared that her department is in the process of collecting the information from staff.  Ms. Morgan thanked Dr. Green.

Mr. Amato shared that new 2021-22 emergency connectivity funding has just become available.  He expects to hear in about six to eight weeks whether or not the funds will be granted to Da Vinci Schools.  This would pay for the Chromebooks that have been purchased. Brief discussion on availability of Chromebooks ensued.

Mr. Amato shared the preliminary Year End finances, including total net income adjusted to reflect use of restricted funds used for the Black Box Theater completion, Northrop Grumman, and CTEFP restricted funds. Mr. Amato shared other adjustments for unrestricted and net capital assets and concluded that Da Vinci's unrestricted operating reserves are strong.  20% of total expenses are reserved for economic uncertainty.  Temporarily restricted net assets are will be used this school year and next.

Dr. Webber inquired about the other items eligible for the FCC's Emergency Connectivity Funds. Ms. Levenson responded that the cell connectivity antenna is not eligible. Hotspots and Chromebooks were the eligible items.

Mr. Bravo shared that about 1,100 cars are coming through the parking lot to drop off and pick up students. He is working with the El Segundo Police Department to expedite the traffic safely. 

Lunch numbers are up due to the free meals for all students.  Mr. Bravo ordered new lunch benches and refurbished benches form the old Aviation site to provide enough space for 500 students to eat lunch outside.

The earthquake drill will be held on October 21 at 10:15 a.m. (Connect will have two drills for their two cohorts).  Fire drills will also be held.

550 Continental Blvd. construction continues. Connect High School and DVX are using space in the Skybox and the Black Box Theater in the meantime.

Ms. Morgan inquired about bike safety.  Mr. Bravo shared that he has reached out to the police department and community for bike safety classes.  He commented that he will be looking at available resources and in the next month or so, sharing the information with the students and families.  Mr. Bravo also shared that he is revisiting the possibility of creating a school zone on Douglas Street, speaking with the El Segundo police department and the Air Force Base.  (The city denied the original request for a school zone before the 201 building was occupied.)

Dr. Wunder thanked Ms. Liza Somilleda for leading a public safety and information effort about bike safety, and the El Segundo Police department for their support regarding the traffic.

Entered at 7:40 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 8:37 p.m.

Ms. Morgan reported the Board took no action in Closed Session.