None

Dr. Brann commented that he attended the Carnival and was impressed to see the large number of attendees. He also announced that the Board will be launching a search for a new Trustee who is a resident of the Wiseburn District.

Mr. Meath noted that the Finance and Facilities Working Group held its inaugural meeting. He, Dr. Webber, Ms. JoAnne Kaneda, and Mr. Roger Banuelos met for an hour, and have scheduled another meeting in May. They discussed agenda topics such as how monies are transferred between Wiseburn and Da Vinci, and how revenues are shared. It was a good, positive conversation. He looks forward to future discussions.

Dr. Webber also felt the conversation was constructive. She found the conversation on the pool was enlightening, and shared that they will be looking at all the finances of all the facilities. She felt it was a solid conversation.

Mr. Meath noted the Governance Working Group will be meeting in early May. Mr. Derrick Boston, Dr. Neil Goldman and Mr. Roger Banuelos are meeting.

Mr. Santiago noted that he has reached out to the Wiseburn Board members Ms. Rebecca Hamburg-Cappy and Mr. Nelson Martinez of the Arts & Athletics Working Group to schedule a meeting date. 

Dr. Wunder commented that a Town Hall meeting was held to address the events after the Da Vinci Design Community Dialogue.  Dr. Webber and Mr. Santiago joined the constructive meeting.

Dr. Wunder noted that this has been yet another challenging year. He has deep appreciation for all, students and staff, who are stepping up and working hard and well. 

He is looking forward to Rock Around the Block this weekend.  Dr. Wunder said that he was slated to be in the dunk tank at 11 a.m. on Saturday.  Mr. Santiago and Dr. Silvers are also going to be in the tank.

Dr. Wunder informed the board that the Department of Public Health may soon change COVID exposure guidelines.

Dr. Brann concurred that this has been yet another difficult year, and that the Board fully supports the staff, who are the right people who are up to the task.

Dr. Hawn shared that this is the last Student Board Member update for the year. She then listed and thanked all thirteen Student Board Members:  Christian Salinas, Daniela Torres, Michaela Williams, Mathew Silver, Aaron Diaz, Frankie Johnson, Zirak Engineer, Leilah Harper, Victoria Jackson, Tania Newman, Noah Chan, Emma Enriquez, Chiamaka Offokansi, and Student Board Member Coordinator Carisma De Anda.

Ms. De Anda introduced the update.  

Victoria Jackson gave the update for Da Vinci Design, speaking of the Spring Exhibition, Content classes for Seniors, Senior Project Pitch POLs, and Community Dialogue.

Chiamaka Offokansi gave the update on important events at Da Vinci Science, noting the FRC Robotics tournament in Houston, SBAC testing, student-led tours for Assistant Principal and Math teacher candidates, Science & Engineering Showcase, Society of Women Engineers event, the first Overnighter in two years, and upcoming Senior Awards Night and Prom.

Zirak Engineer gave the Connect K-8 update, sharing Exhibition events, the Odyssey of the Mind competition (three teams which included Connect students made it to the Worlds level competition in Iowa), Middle School Dance, and upcoming 8th grade Knotts Berry Farm field trip.

Aaron Diaz gave the Connect High School update, noting Culture Day, Black Student Union's Denim Day in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and PRIDE Week events. Mr. Diaz also shared that Connect High School students have completed 100 college classes this month.

Christian Salinas gave the update for Communications, saying that DVC held Exhibition nights, Senior Picnic, Team Building, Career Fair, 10th Grade Overnight Retreat, and Reagan Library Field Trip. DVC also held a Multicultural Event and an upcoming Cal Poly Field Trip.

Ms. De Anda thanked the Da Vinci Schools Board, Dr. Hawn, Dr. Wunder, and all the school principals. She commented that she is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the other student board members.

Dr. Brann thanked Ms. De Anda for initiating the program. He congratulated her on her acceptance to UC Berkeley. He also thanked Dr. Hawn for working with the students.  He wished all the seniors well

Mr. Russell Stoll, principal of Da Vinci Design, noted the work done after the events of the March 4th Community Dialogue. The staff and students, including members of the Black Student Union and Diversity Council held a series of Mediation sessions as well as the Town Hall Conversation with Families and Students to process the events and discuss next steps.  Mr. Stoll thanked Dr. Webber and Mr. Santiago for participating in the Town Hall.  A joint statement about the ongoing work was made at the subsequent Community Dialogue on April 20. Students expressed a desire to learn more about each other's cultures, hence the upcoming Multicultural Fair on May 9 and 10. Other upcoming events are the 9th grade Camp Retreat and the May 26 Senior Showcase.

The 2022 Exhibition is another Design highlight.  Exhibition offers a unique opportunity for rigorous interdisciplinary work, and students prove this by creating original work, making interdisciplinary connections, and explaining it to an outside audience. Teachers and students spend months planning for Exhibition.  

9th graders hosted a Zine Fest, utilizing English, Spanish, and Physics in designing and constructing zines by hand and selling them. They also shared digital versions with unique QR codes. 

10th graders showcased Superhero Stories and a Poetry Slam, working in Spanish, English, and Art.

11th graders focused on public health and government planning. The Architecture pathway students designed dream houses; Biology students created photo essays to bring awareness to public health disparities in urban life. The Entrepreneurship students screen printed public health posters. Students' Graphic Design and English projects analyzed quotes from Orwell's 1984 to make connections to the Cold War.

12th grade Economics students looked at prices during the pandemic to explain current inflation. Architecture students designed buildings to evoke a specific emotion, and 12th grade English students and Ethnic studies looked at past and future issues in advertising

Mr. Stoll thanked the community for coming out to see the work at Exhibition.

Mr. Stoll also shared photos of the Overnighter's unexpected snow day.

Dr. Webber thanked Mr. Stoll, and noted that Exhibition requires students to fully comprehend the work in order to share it with the audience.

Dr. Hawn introduced Da Vinci Design parent John Umekubo, who has facilitated the Technology Advisory Committee, which consists of teachers, administrators, and IT staff across the Da Vinci Schools.  The Committee was convened because Da Vinci realized the importance of technology during the pandemic. 

Mr. Umekubo spoke of the importance of including the stakeholders from all the schools and Central Office.

The Canvas Learning Management System conversation has been ongoing for two years. The Committee looked at many systems and spoke with different vendors. Da Vinci initially used Google Classroom in Fall 2020 because of the teachers' familiarity with it and the fact that Canvas didn't have all the tools the Da Vinci team needed at the time, including parent access and integration with PowerSchool. 

Canvas is now integrated with PowerSchool, allowing teachers to enter grades once, as opposed to twice (in Google Classroom and PowerSchool).  Ms. Gloria White, Mr. Chris Miller, and Mr. Jesse Corral analyzed the Canvas capabilities to ensure that it would work for Da Vinci.  Mr. Umekubo shared that Canvas' new integration with PowerSchool pushes data in a nightly migration and provides one-stop convenience for students and families.  Dr. Hawn noted that Canvas is used by Wiseburn and many colleges and universities.

Dr. Hawn shared that the Canvas contract will be brought to the board in May for approval. The Technology Advisory Committee will continue to conduct PD planning and summer piloting into the future.

Dr. Webber inquired how Canvas compared to other vendors by cost. Mr. Umekubo responded that Blackboard, BlackBaud, Schoology, all cost tens of thousands of dollars.  Google is cheaper because their offering is not as comprehensive.

Mr. Ochoa inquired if Canvas provides a communication system for parents.  Mr. Umekubo noted that Canvas has built-in messaging, and iOs and Android apps for messaging.

Dr. Brann commented that he is glad to see Mr. Umekubo on the job.  He plans to support the item when it comes up for approval.

Ms. Megan Martin and Ms. Carla Levenson spoke of the Advancement team, which includes Grants Finance Manager Maryam Diaab, and consultant Valerie Green, with the support of CFO Michael Amato and Finance and Accounting Manager Pamela Li.

Seven grants have been submitted thus far this year, and seven more are in progress.  Eight additional grants are in the research stage, and five more are on the horizon.

Ms. Levenson spoke of the $4.9MM raised last year, and the $7.5MM that has been received or pledged to date in 2021-22.  Many of the grants are CTE facilities and incentive grants, an emergency connectivity grant, the Northrop/Cal Poly/Da Vinci partnership multi-year grant, etc.

Pledges for 2021-2023 total $6.1MM. 

Since the inception of Da Vinci Schools, $85.6MM has been fundraised, including $33MM raised beyond facilities funding.

Dr. Brann thanked Ms. Levenson and Ms. Martin, noting the wise addition of a grants manager to the team to support grants compliance.  He noted Dr. Wunder's expertise in evangelizing and fundraising, but said that it takes a team effort to maintain the momentum.

Dr. Webber inquired about the total available funds being sought. She also wanted to know if there were multi-year grants. Mr. Amato commented that a high percentage of the grants are multi-year grants. He noted that it is important to remember the difference between funds received and grants won but funds not yet received.  He also noted that future updates will show when various grants are expected to be received and spent. 

Discussion ensued on whether or not the Advancement team is large enough to handle all of the grants being sought and won. Mr. Amato noted the addition of a team member will help, but whether or not it is enough staffing remains to be seen.

Mr. Boston applauded the extraordinary results, saying that it is a testament to what Da Vinci does differently, like SLCs, POLs, and the focus on STEM that is attracting attention from across the nation and across the world. It is also a testament to the students from across the city who are having incredible success at Da Vinci and the work of the grant writers and funders.

Dr. Wunder shared his gratitude for Mr. Boston and Dr. Brann's words. He noted a 2003 conversation he held with Mr. Jim Buckheit, founding head of Vistamar School, who said that you don't ask for money; you share what is going on at the school.  Dr. Wunder also noted that funders often want to give to innovative solutions and to programs that close the gap between students who have more and those who don't. Funders also look for Boards that are high-functioning and make sound decisions, which is a key reason Da Vinci has been able to raise these dollars.

Dr. Brann commented that the Rock Around the Block event is the major annual fundraising event for the Wiseburn Education Foundation (WEF). Given that Da Vinci's fundraising efforts are so successful, he encouraged WEF to focus its efforts on Wiseburn's K-8 schools.

Mr. Michael Amato shared March financials, saying that the previous meeting's Second Interim projections are based on February and March results. Not much has changed since the previous meeting's report. Cash remains high and grant funds and In Lieu Of Property Tax funds are expected by the end of the year. Mr. Amato shared liabilities and reserves (including deferred maintenance costs, economic uncertainty, and the soccer field costs).  

He also shared the Profit & Loss sheet, commenting that Da Vinci had just been notified that the State had overpaid $63K in LCFF revenue for 2020-21, which affects the P&L total.

Mr. Amato spoke about the difficulties in making projections when taking into account fluctuating ADA.

Capital project funding total estimated costs are $9.8MM.  Unfunded totals of $4.4MM exist.

Mr. Miles Denniston shared that there are about three weeks until the May Revise. He anticipates the COLA in the May Revise will be higher than January's 5.33%.  The final State budget will be revealed later in May.

The PERS rate is slightly lower than projected, and the projections for years after next year are trending down.  The State has been buying down the STRS and PERS rates.  

Brief discussion on a potential higher LCFF base ensued.

Dr. Wunder noted that not all of the Capital Projects listed on Mr. Amato's report have been approved by the Board.

Mr. Amato closed by reminding the Board that he uses the lower, conservative COLA numbers and 2% STRS increase when budgeting, and makes adjustments after the May Revise.

Mr. Vicente Bravo shared the soccer field progress, saying that soil testing is being done for both the field and the CTE Studio by one vendor (ENCORP), saving money and time.

Mr. Bravo has spoken with other districts who are currently installing fields, to compare notes. He anticipates completion of the field in late August depending on whether or not DSA approval needs to be acquired. 

Other facilities additions include lunch benches to afford students more space, and benches along the parking lot drop off lane.  New parking lot signage allows ESPD to cite and/or tow unauthorized vehicles, and enforce other rules and laws.

Mr. Bravo also showed the office pods that have been installed in the Sandbox, and the new Grab n' Go Coffee Bar installation with its movable fixtures in the Atrium. Mr. John Fernandez and his Facilities team will install electrical, plumbing and flooring.  Mr. Russell Stoll will work with the Entrepreneurship pathway students preparing to staff the coffee bar.

Connect High School has a new drop-off and pick-up lane in their parking lot, as well as a new outdoor lunch area.

Athletic Director D.R. Moreland will hold an Athletics Information Night for Incoming 9th graders on May 10. On May 12, there will be an Information Meeting regarding How Sports Are Chosen. Summer programs for basketball and volleyball are being planned.

Brief discussion on the pool closure ensued.  The City of El Segundo (in conjunction with Wiseburn Unified School District) is responsible for maintaining and communicating about the pool.

Dr. Brann also pointed out the community's misperception that the Da Vinci gym does not meet NBA standards. He stated for the record that a rumor has started on social media that the gym was not built to NBA standards, when in fact, the gym was built correctly to high school, CIF standards. The gym is being used as it was meant to be used. 

Dr. Brann shared that this item concerns a new position, not a particular person. The job description may be revised as needed.  Dr. Wunder shared that this is not a huge departure from the Institute Director position, but is an opportunity to help align the work inside Da Vinci.  Some potential funding sources have been identified.

Dr. Hawn explained that following the Board's approval of Juneteenth as a school holiday, a request was made to recognize César Chávez Day as a school holiday.  Dr. Hawn conducted research and has learned that most schools have adopted one day or the other, not both, and that many schools are offering a floating holiday.  Staff get to choose if they wish to observe Juneteenth or César Chávez Day.  Students are already at their minimum number of instructional days, so that one day was added to the school calendar to accommodate it.  The floating holiday only impacts 12-month, Classified staff in terms of choosing which day to observe.

Dr. Brann asked the staff and board not to forget about Mr. Boston's request for additional language classes in the school curricula.

Closed Session entered at 8:16 p.m.

Public Session resumed at 9:22 PM.

Dr. Brann stated that no action was taken in Closed Session. Voting on Action Items V. A. and V. B. commenced.