Da Vinci Schools

Minutes

Da Vinci Schools Special Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday March 8, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Location

Zoom

Da Vinci Schools ("DV") 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 DV 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:

  1. Teleconferencing will be conducted through Zoom.  Join Zoom meeting at 
    https://zoom.us/j/97948067078, Meeting ID: 979 4806 7078, or dial (669) 900-6833.
  2. Agendas are available to all audience members on the Da Vinci Schools website at www.davincischools.org.
  3. 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 each 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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. Please contact the CEO's office at 310-725-5800.

The agenda and documents in the agenda packet will be made available, if requested, in appropriate alternative formats to any person with a disability as required by the ADA, 42 USC section 12132, and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. To request a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, you must contact the CEO's office at 310-725-5800 at least 48 hours before a regular meeting, and at least 12 hours before a special meeting. (Government Code ยง 54954.2(a)(1).)

Trustees Present

B. Meath (remote), J. Morgan (remote), J. Webber (remote), R. Ochoa (remote), R. Santiago (remote)

Trustees Absent

D. Boston, D. Brann

Guests Present

A. Wohlwerth (remote), Anne Tittle (remote), C. Levenson (remote), E. Green (remote), J. Hawn (remote), M. Amato (remote), M. Wunder (remote), Michael Gengler (remote), Samuel Renteria (remote), V. Bravo (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Morgan called a meeting of the board of trustees of Da Vinci Schools to order on Tuesday Mar 8, 2022 at 6:41 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Special Board Action - Approve and Adopt Board Resolution for Teleconference Board Meetings Pursuant to Special Rules in Government Code Section 54953(e)

J. Webber made a motion to approve.
R. Santiago seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Boston
Absent
R. Santiago
Aye
B. Meath
Aye
D. Brann
Absent
J. Morgan
Aye
J. Webber
Aye
R. Ochoa
Aye

D.

Approval of Agenda

R. Santiago made a motion to approve.
J. Webber seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Boston
Absent
B. Meath
Aye
J. Morgan
Aye
D. Brann
Absent
J. Webber
Aye
R. Santiago
Aye
R. Ochoa
Aye

E.

Public Comments

None

II. Discussion

A.

Recent L.A. County Department of Public Health Masking Recommendation for Schools

Dr. Wunder introduced Dr. Emily Green, acknowledging the impact her expertise and care have had on Da Vinci Schools.

 

Dr. Green shared information that the State of California and L.A. County changed the mask requirement in schools to a strong recommendation, effective March 12, 2022.  She shared that Da Vinci had held a Town Hall Staff meeting to hear from staff regarding their concerns around masking. Staff brought up useful questions and potential logistical issues.

 

Mr. Meath asked if there were any differences in how Da Vinci Schools and Wiseburn USD are moving forward regarding this issue.  Dr. Green commented that Da Vinci will be moving more slowly than Wiseburn, which announced the change to their families on February 28, 2022, in order to hear from staff and families first. Da Vinci families will be informed of the changes on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  

 

Dr. Wunder shared that Dr. Green has created a video for families and staff, and a slide deck for staff.  Dr. Green noted that staff asked for support resources, hence her video and slides.

 

Ms. Morgan thanked Dr. Green.

III. Action Items

A.

Approve Contract Extension with Compass Group (Chartwells) for Food Services for the 2022-23 School Year

Dr. Webber inquired if a discussion had been held with the Da Vinci teacher who had made a public comment about food service during the previous board meeting.  Dr. Wunder replied that the team, including himself, Dr. Hawn, Mr. Bravo, Mr. Amato, Ms. Sara Deulofeu, and Mr. Michael Gengler (Chartwells), met on two occasions: once with the teacher right away, and also with students.

 

Mr. Amato noted that the food service concerns were addressed, and National School Lunch Program rules were explained.  The students brought up issues that were more logistical in nature, such as timing of lunches, availability of seating areas, etc., which were also noted and discussed.

B. Meath made a motion to approve the Contract Extension with Compass Group (Chartwells) for Food Services for the 2022-23 School Year.
R. Santiago seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Webber
Aye
B. Meath
Aye
R. Santiago
Aye
D. Brann
Absent
D. Boston
Absent
J. Morgan
Aye
R. Ochoa
Aye

B.

Approve and Adopt Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Soccer Field Project and Other Actions Related Thereto

R. Santiago made a motion to approve and adopt the Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Soccer Field Project and Other Actions Related Thereto.
J. Morgan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Webber
Aye
R. Santiago
Aye
D. Brann
Absent
D. Boston
Absent
B. Meath
Aye
R. Ochoa
Aye
J. Morgan
Aye

IV. Closed Session

A.

Conference with Legal Counsel

Closed Session entered at 6:20 p.m.

V. Closing Items

A.

Reconvene for Public Session & Closed Session Reporting

Public Session reconvened at 6:50 p.m.

Ms. Morgan reported that no action was taken in Closed Session.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

J. Webber made a motion to adjourn.
R. Ochoa seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Boston
Absent
R. Santiago
Aye
R. Ochoa
Aye
J. Morgan
Aye
B. Meath
Aye
J. Webber
Aye
D. Brann
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Wohlwerth