None.

Dr. Johnstone greeted everyone in attendance.

Dr. Jennings noted that she had a breakfast meeting with Mr. Whalen and Dr. Wunder, and was grateful for the updates.

Mr. Taylor mentioned that he is excited for upcoming in-person meetings.

None.

Mr. Whalen introduced and welcomed Larry Simonsen to the Leadership Team as Assistant Principal. Mr. Simonsen Larry chose to join RISE High School because of its commitment to innovating transformative change in public education by challenging systems to evolve and serve all communities and student populations with equity.

Mr. Whalen provided a staffing update. Mr. Anthony Gay, Behavior interventionist, has resigned. The staff is currently in the process of hiring a behavior interventionist and academic counselor. All other positions are fully staffed.

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell visited the Richstone campus. Supervisor Mitchell was engaged and in conversation with students throughout her visit. A video will be shared in the upcoming weeks. Capitol Advisors and Lee Angela Reid supported these efforts and will continue to do so moving forward.

Future Without Fear was connected to RISE through Dr. Wunder. FWF is partnering with Da Vinci RISE to run a series of workshops devised to explore RISE students' hopes and dreams as they navigate through this moment in history. The final content will populate an immersive installation of photography, video, and AR/VR to illustrate their hopes, frustrations, and outlook on the future ahead. FWF will also be donating proceeds to Da Vinci RISE High School.

RISE & Kitamba continue to meet every month. We are currently in the final stages, as the contract ends at the end of January. Mr. Whalen thanked the Board members for meeting with Kitamba consultants. The final report will detail policy, financial, and revenue opportunities and cost reduction analyses that will be shared at an upcoming Board meeting. Dr. Wunder commented that this service is paid for by XQ and was a condition to receive the $750,000 RISE obtained to support long-term sustainability.

College Reunion Telethon is a movie and movement led by Board Member Dr. McCullough. The College Reunion telethon is an eight-hour event scheduled for Saturday, January 28th, 2023, and runs live on the College Reunion YouTube Channel. The event's objective is to use the power of our network to encourage students who have yet to return to school to reenter their K-12 institutions and continue on their journey so that they, too, can have their college reunion. RISE will have 20 minutes to share our work throughout the telethon.

Mr. Whalen provided a 2022-23 Fundraising Update. RISE was a semifinalist for the YASS STOP Award Prize and received $200,000. RISE is currently working with Cotton-on to see what a potential contribution can support in the future. Continued discussions are taking place with New Schools Ventures Fund to see what a possible partnership will be in the future. 

Mr. Whalen shared that RISE New Earth students have moved into the new campus in Culver City off Washington. The Material Revision was approved at the December 6th LACOE Board meeting, and students started at the new location on January 9th. Mr. Whalen thanked Da Vinci for allowing New Earth to operate in the SkyBox. Staff is working with New Earth to adjust as students transition into designated RISE spaces for the Resource Center. The current priority is supporting New Earth partners in having credit-bearing programs. 

Mr. Whalen provided an El Camino College update and shared that the MOU for the 2023-24 school year has been reviewed and redlined by both RISE and El Camino leadership teams. We are currently in the editing process to officiate the partnership next year. More updates will be provided at upcoming Board meetings. 

Mrs. Lara reviewed the RISE 2022-23 Priorities: Advisory Communities, Project-Based Learning, and Holistic Wellness.

December Data and Demographics Update
RISE served 189 students, 45% of whom are opportunity youth. ADA from 11/29 - 12/23 was 51.80% at Richstone, 52.25% at APCH, and 43.71% at New Earth. School-wide ADA is 50.62%. Mrs. Lara noted that the staff are currently heavily focusing on enrollment efforts. Different initiatives are happening to re-engage students, which include mailers, outreach, and home visits. Staff are hopeful that now that students are settled into the new New Earth center, there is an environment to push for enrollment. The goal is to see increases in these numbers in the upcoming weeks. Mrs. Lara shared a breakdown of the number of current and foster youth, homeless, current and former probationary youth, students with IEPs, and EL status. Dr. McCullough inquired about outreach to the pregnant student population and offered support in sharing resources.  

Mrs. Lara highlighted data pertaining to student support services provided from August through December at APCH and Richstone. She thanked Ms. Anna Marie Defelice, Coordinator of Student Support Services, and the team for their work with our students and the community.

Partnership Updates
APCH: Two RISE students are currently working in an APCH internship. David Lopez was awarded the APCH Shaheen Scholarship after a rigorous application and interview
process. Family to Family Toy Drive sponsored 20 students in need with gifts for the holidays. Weekly enrichment program offerings continued through December, focusing on college and career support.

Richstone: Hermosa Leadership Group coordinated with Richstone Family Center to provide gifts to all Richstone students going into Holiday break. Students were surveyed to gather interests, and Hermosa Leadership fundraised to purchase gifts for all students.

New Earth: We are officially moved in at the new New Earth Washington facility operating a Learning Resource Center model. New enrichment program offerings rolling out in Quarter 3 include: New fit total body workout, a content creation class with components of journalism, and an art class with a focus on community murals. Benkadi West African Drumming was awarded a grant to fund one class per week for one year.

Dr. Jennings inquired about the different offerings at each site being shared amongst all RISE students across all sites. Mr. Whalen and Mrs. Lara shared that each site partnership has different offerings that are usually geared toward students attending those specific centers. Staff are working on expanding enrichment opportunities across all sites.

Mr. Amato reviewed the June 30th, 2022, audit results. RISE was given a clean opinion, meaning the financial results presented were fair, in all material respects, and represent the organization correctly. There were no significant deficiencies, material misstatements, or corrections needed. Mr. Amato detailed the results of the audit report, reviewing assets and the profit and loss statement. Mr. Amato thanked the accounting, RISE, and CSMC teams for their work in answering questions and providing information, details, and research to the auditors. 

Mr. Amato reviewed the December financial statements. As of the end of December, the balance sheet shows cash in the bank at over $1.2 million and accounts receivable at just over $750,000. This money is the XQ grant currently in the DVSF funds, and funds will be transferred to the RISE account. Due from Grantor Governments is $406,000; half was collected in January, and the other half is ESSER funds that will be collected in the next few months. Deferred revenue under current liabilities is over $1.3 million, reflecting state and federal grants. $750,000 from Ballmer is also reflected in this amount. Monies will be spent this year and in future years. Mr. Amato then reviewed net assets. About $900,000 unrestricted net assets carried over from last year, and the year-to-date deficit is currently under $150,000.

Mr. Amato reviewed the Profit and Loss statement for July through December, comparing actuals to the first interim budget, reflecting revenue and expense expectations for the year. A surplus of over $10,000 is expected: $4,100 in total revenue, $12,000 in total personnel expenses, and a small overage of $400 in operational expenses. Everything is on track and will be monitored. Staff is currently working on Second Interims, which will be presented at the February Board meeting. The tax return will also be presented at the February Board meeting.

Mr. Amato provided an update to the Governor’s preliminary budget. Though nothing is official, an 8.13% COLA for LCFF and Special Education, with no planned deferrals or additional one-time funds. State and Federal on-time programs and funds given over the past few years are no longer expected. The funds RISE has received will be used in future years. Mr. Denniston commented on the Governor’s budget regarding the healthy COLA.  

Dr. Jennings inquired about the timelines for grant reports and proposals for renewal and overall fundraising. Dr. Wunder shared that the team would appreciate Board support and that the team is tracking reports. Dr. Jennings offered Board support. Discussion ensued. Mr. Taylor inquired about sources of funding and long-term planning. Mr. Amato shared that RISE plans two years ahead. Further discussion ensued.

Mr. Bravo provided a brief update on the smooth transition from the SkyBox to the New Earth Washington site. LACOE has given the green light to occupy the new space, and things are going well in the new location.

Mr. Bravo shared that he is working with RISE staff on the operational plan for the van to ensure all compliance regulations are considered and met.

Mr. Bravo also shared details from the Richstone visit with Supervisor Mitchell.