Maria Santana, Da Vinci Design teacher, made a comment about the lunch program.

Dr. Webber commented that it was nice to see everyone at the joint board meeting with the Wiseburn Board.

Ms. Morgan shared that her son Jake had just completed his bachelor's degree at Da Vinci Extension. She thanked Principal Marc Pioch and teacher Lauren Takahashi for their work with her son.

Dr. Brann added that there are now four Da Vinci Extension bachelor's degree holders.

Mr. Santiago commented that he appreciated seeing the other board members at the joint board meeting.

Dr. Brann congratulated Rebecca Hamburg-Cappy on her appointment to the Wiseburn Unified School District Board after the resignation of Israel Mora.  He went on to say that the two boards are independent of each other in a unique model, and it is not surprising that the public are confused by the unusual relationship. As a charter school, Da Vinci's Board is appointed. Six out of seven Da Vinci Board members are either residents of the Wiseburn district or have a long-standing relationship with the district.

Mr. Boston commended Dr. Brann for laying out the history, and commended both boards and the statement to be sent out.

Dr. Wunder introduced Da Vinci's new Grants Manager, Maryam Diaab.  Ms. Diaab shared her excitement at her new position, saying that she was familiar with Wiseburn and Da Vinci Schools. She looks forward to continuing the work together. 

Dr. Brann welcomed Ms. Diaab.

Leilah Harper gave the Design update, speaking about important events like Black History Month, Coffee with Administrators, National School Counseling Week, Senior Activities, the L.A. Black College Expo, and upcoming Community Dialogue and Spirit Week.

Noah Chen gave the update for Science, sharing Black History Month commemoration, Spirit Week, recycling discussions with the Environmental Science club, Black History Month-themed Community Dialogue, and Biomedical Pathway speaker Dr. Calvin Ho. Mr. Chen also shared an interview with student athlete Kevin Bird about the soccer season.

Zirak Engineer gave the Connect K-8 update, giving an glimpse inside ELA, History, and elective classes, where students have been writing short stories, making a timeline about space, and participating in STEM, Art, Socratic Seminar, and Math Help electives.

Mathew Silver gave the Connect High School update, speaking about the Valentine's Day scavenger hunt, Black Student Union, Black History Month, and the move to the new 550 Continental building. The students are excited to build Connect High School's culture.

Christian Salinas spoke of the Communications update, speaking about Black History Month, the Valentine's Day blood drive, Black Student Union-hosted Community Dialogue, Spirit Week, and the DECA competition.

Dr. Brann thanked the students. Ms. Morgan shared that the student board members' work is very valuable to the Board, as they represent the students across Da Vinci. She also shared that her daughter studying abroad in Spain, was able to join the Da Vinci Science College Writing class over Zoom to share her experience with college.  Ms. Morgan thanked the students.

Ms. Michelle Rainey, Connect Executive Director, shared the complex Connect High School model, the hard working staff and the new space at 550 Continental which Principal Mr. Marc Pioch has worked so hard to open.

Ms. Rainey went on to discuss the demographics at Connect K8 and High School.  Connect High School is meant to be a broad access program that expands access to college.  She pointed out that part of Da Vinci's mission is to solve complex educational problems. Connect High School takes the best of both worlds, remote and on-campus learning, and blends them in a mastery-based, early college hybrid model that supports students' social emotional needs to cultivate their future college, work, and personal lives.

Mr. Pioch gave the early outcomes of Connect High School 9th graders, as well as Da Vinci Extension students.

Students and staff were surveyed, with positive responses on the collaborative, engaging work, and supportive culture.

Dr. Webber thanked Ms. Rainey and Mr. Pioch for their excellent presentation, saying that helping students get qualified earlier is critical. Brief discussion on the data assembled by Data Coordinator Chris Miller ensued.

Mr. Boston commended Ms. Rainey, Mr. Pioch, the staff and students on their work, and spoke of the program results that many people will want to see, and the data that will support those results.

Mr. Bob Simons and Mr. Doug Brown, both of SVA Architects gave the CTE Studio Project update, saying that a new plan has been developed to make the least impact on existing underground utilities, re-locate the basketball courts, use prefabricated panel elements, and save money.

Mr. Boston inquired if the architects had a one-pager with the cost analysis of the various project plans. Mr. Simons indicated that he would send it to Mr. Steve Wallis to share with the board. Dr. Brann reminded the board that Ms. Levenson had secured CTE grant funding that requires a Da Vinci match.

Mr. Santiago inquired about the usage of the grass field that will be taken up by the relocated basketball courts.

Ms. Carla Levenson gave the update, giving current enrollment numbers across Da Vinci Schools, not including RISE High. The percentage of Dana students enrolling in Da Vinci has grown from 35% to 80% in ten years.  Wiseburn residents make up a total of 39.7% of students across Da Vinci Communications, Design, and Science.  Only 17 El Segundo residents (less than .5 of 1% of our total students) are currently enrolled in Da Vinci.

Over 700 new students are enrolled every year, and the Enrollment team works hard on outreach, hosting virtual information meetings, virtual tours, informal student chats and alumni conversations, paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram, social media, flyers, blog posts, etc. The RISE High enrollment team is also conducting outreach.

The 2022-23 application deadline to be included in the lottery is February 28, 2022. The lottery will be held on March 10.

Dr. Webber thanked Ms. Levenson. She inquired if there are zip codes other than Wiseburn's that have near the concentration of students at Da Vinci. Ms. Levenson shared that Hawthorne, Inglewood, and L.A Unified also represent many Da Vinci students.  Dr. Webber also inquired how widely the Connect High School advertising is being disseminated. Ms. Levenson responded that the area more than 10 miles beyond the district is targeted.  Ms. Rainey added that according to independent study law, Connect may enroll students within the county in which it is located, and the counties adjacent to that county.

Mr. Ochoa inquired about the term "resident." Brief discussion ensued on the enrollment preferences between students who live in the district and students who attend Dana Middle School on permit.

Ms. Erin D'Souza introduced the presentations for both the Mid-Year 2021-22 LCAPs and A-G Grant Implementation Plans. 

A-G Grant Implementation Plans

Ms. Rainey shared the reductions to Connect's expected costs for the year. 

DVC has used funding to provide more student field trips and experiences, but faces challenges regarding the need to have support staff work in classrooms with IEP students as opposed to providing more general tutoring.  

DVD has used funding for math support and development for math teachers, provide more credit recovery options, and are facing challenges in offering subject-specific academic coach support, and implementing data-driven reading/ELA interventions. Planned funding uses include more field trips, contract tutoring before and after school, and summer school options..

DVS implementation successes include math support and development (including hiring a new full-time math teacher to deliver small, high-support math sections), a new credit recovery system, and providing a new targeted support and office hours block.  DVS was unable to hire a reading intervention specialist, but looks forward to student retreats and increased dual enrollment opportunities within CTE pathways.

LCAP Mid-Year Reports were also given, including "Glows" and "Grows":

Connect's Glow included the high numbers of K-8 students who hit grade level targets in MAP assessments and number of 9th graders mastering a college course last semester. Grows included lower than expected number of 9th graders on track to get their AA degree at Connect High School, and the fact that Staff needed to refine the Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) process.

The DVC Glow was student grades - 92% of students achieved a 2.0 or above in unweighted GPA. The Grows included lower numbers of students meeting A-G requirements, and lower than expected College & Career Readiness completion rates.

DVD Glows also included student grades and the fact that 100% of the class of 2021 graduated, with a 0% dropout rate. The Grow is improving attendance from 93.5% to pre-COVID level of 95.5%.

DVS Glows included a 98.7% pass rate for the first semester, and a higher number of academic coaches and improved training and support for them. A Grow is improving student attendance at the afterschool tutoring sessions.

A-G Improvement Grant funds are a new source of funds. This State grant has two parts:  the A-G Success Grant and the A-G Learning Loss Mitigation Grant. Principals shared their plans for their school site's share of the funding.

• DVC was awarded $358K, and will use the finds for intervention supports, professional development, and improving school-based health services, programs and engagement.
• DVD was awarded $352K, and will spend the funds on learning loss mitigation, summer credit recovery programs, teacher professional development, and improving school-based health services, programs and engagement.
• DVS was awarded $233K, and will use the funds for professional development, academic coaches, and Career Pathway and Real World Learning opportunities.
• Connect High School received $2,122, as they had no seniors at the time of the grant award. The funds will be spent on academic coach support and the Multi-Tier Systems of Support. 

Mr. Amato commented that the CDE released the grant amounts, but has also announced that changes will be made to those amounts.  These grants were not included in Mr. Amato's budgets.

Dr. Brann thanked the principals, Mr. Amato and his team, and the data team of Gloria White and Chris Miller for their support of the grant work.

Mr. Amato gave the financial update, covering the January budget summary and Profit & Loss statements.

He also spoke of the annual tax return, which can now be presented for approval since the annual audit has been finalized. The return will be filed once it is approved.  Mr. Amato thanked Mr. Gary Wayland for the pro bono return preparation.

Mr. Amato will also present the Second Interim report to the board at the March 23 board meeting. The report is due to Wiseburn on March 15.

Governance, Finance and Facilities, and Arts and Athletics groups were discussed. Dr. Wunder shared that Mr. Brian Meath had volunteered to join the Finance and Facilities group.

Updates will be given at each joint board meeting and perhaps at the Da Vinci and Wiseburn board meetings.

Mr. Boston inquired if there were written descriptions of each group's responsibilities or if each group was to decide on their own.  Dr. Wunder said that the staff will take direction from the board regarding that question.

Ms. Morgan inquired if there was a deadline for the groups' formation.  No dates had been set at the joint board meeting.  

Dr. Wunder shared that a Parent Advisory Committee member's student and his friends had previously brought student concerns about special dietary needs to his attention.  Dr. Webber suggested looking at competitive vendors. Dr. Brann inquired if the item could be tabled; Mr. Amato explained that there is some time sensitivity due to the CDE food service contract deadline. Dr. Wunder supported tabling the item in order to further investigate the issue.

Ms. Morgan supported holding a special board meeting to approve the item if the next regular board meeting proved too far in the future to meet the CDE deadline for submitting the food service contract.

ITEM TABLED

Entered at 8:24 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 9:35 p.m.

Dr. Brann reported that no action was taken in Closed Session.