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Mr. Santiago noted that the Da Vinci Boys' Volleyball team was victorious over Culver City.

Dr. Webber thanked the staff of Da Vinci for fostering school culture with Spirit Week events.

Ms. Heimov gave kudos to the student artists from Design, whose artwork is on display in the atrium.

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Dr. Hawn thanked the data team Gloria White, Chris Miller, Josh Beals, Allegra Johnson, and DV Principals for their work on the evening's data presentation.

DV Flex independent study program is on the agenda for approval. She thanked Dr. Johnson, Dr. Emily Green, Dr. Lynn Rodriguez, and (soon to be Dr.) Tim Regalado, a special education teacher with expertise in independent study.

Emma Hattne presented the Science update, speaking about the 9th grade Fulcrum Day's engineering events, the Youth & Government Sacramento trip. One of the Da Vinci students won first place in the National Assembly's Solution for the Nation competition with her electronic translation software for medical computers. Spirit Week was fun, including Valentine's Day flowers from teachers, dress like a teacher/student day, and pajama day. Black History Month events included themed Jeopardy games in Advisory and Community Dialogue.

Alvin Liu gave the Communications update, noting the National School Counseling Week, Black History Month, Spirit Week, and exciting field trips to the Reagan Library, with its Situation Room and crisis simulation, Northrop Grumman's F18 assembly line, and NAC Architecture in Chinatown.

Leilani Pineda gave the update for Design, sharing Latinx Student Union's Conchitas Con Cariño event, the 9th grade took a food truck field trip, Spirit Week, Valentines Day Flowers from Leadership, and Black Student Union Community Dialogue and dance party.

Connect High School student Milissa Sutton noted the Loyola Marymount University Black Student Union's presentation to seniors, screening of The Woman King film, BSU and Connect Crew Spirit Week events, Lunchtime Empowerment talk, Cypher Tuesday, a rap music event.

Dr. Wunder thanked Ms. Sutton for representing Da Vinci Connect at the California Distinguished Schools Awards banquet.

Quinn Schell gave the Connect K8 update, speaking about the school yearbooks, now customizable, the return of virtual art classes with Mr. Mason, Random Acts of Kindness opportunities, and the Garden Club.

Dr. Hawn introduced the Metrics Update, saying that the team focused on students, culture, SEL, and academic outcomes. Dr. Allegra Johnson spoke of how the team's DEI and Belonging commitment guide the thinking behind data collecting, looking for opportunity gaps and ways to close those gaps and support all students.

Ms. Carla Levenson shared highlights of the 2021-2022 Annual Impact Report, noting the Data and Accountability team's creation of the Data Hub to analyze student and whole school performance in real-time to improve student outcomes. 95% of Da Vinci's Class of '22 students completed a-g requirements, an astonishing 51% above the state average. All students were exposed to career-relevant curricula, and all career pathways at Da Vinci gained Career and Technical Education CTE) Advisory boards to connect them to local employers' needs.  

Ms. Gloria White discussed Da Vinci's Fall 2022 Net Promoter Score, 62.6, which is higher than that of Apple. Over 800 Da Vinci families answering the parent survey believe that Da Vinci is doing a great job in school environment, culture, and safety. The student survey noted that their most important learning experience was real world learning.

Ms. Grace Long, Science Principal, shared that school culture is important at Science, and staff are intentional in their efforts to know the whole student and celebrate their strengths. Cohesion teams (student, staff, and parent teams) work to further preventative measures and provide targeted student support.

Ms. White shared the data hub that Chris Miller has created. Mr. Miller spoke about the Social Emotional counseling data.

Mr. Russell Stoll, Design Principal, shared that the staff are focusing on attendance monitoring. Higher attendance rates correlate to higher rates of academic achievement, and lower attendance correlates to higher rates of academic struggle. Design has hired a PPS-credentialed staff member to concentrate on increasing attendance. Staff have seen significant improvement in attendance over the previous year. The MTSS Committee, led by Assistant Principal Kirk Takeyama, works on regularly checking student progress to improve outcomes, and behavior management strategies.

Ms. Kaitlin Toon, Connect TK-8 Principal, shared the SEL Implementation highlights:  a new Leadership Seminar for Middle School, Staff meeting facilitator rotations for teachers, staff's sharing of Random Acts of Kindness and Black History Month lessons and resources with families, and Parent Educator supports.

Connect K8 MAP testing data shows student progress over the year. Ms. White shared that CAASPP tests (for high school students) do not show growth, but just proficiency. Over 95% of Da Vinci students participate in CAASPP testing, which is (as usual for Da Vinci) higher than the state average. Ms. White congratulated staff in pushing for and achieving such high participation rates. The State invalidated 2021 CAASPP data due to COVID.

Grade data shows the lowest non-passing rate in five years, and the highest number of A and B grades in five years.

Ms. Erin D'Souza, Communications Principal, shared that their math team implemented data-driven low Math CAASPP score remedies, resulting in an increase in math performance at Communications from 2018-19, through the pandemic's remote learning, to 2021-22. They moved Algebra 2 to 11th grade, implemented interim assessments in math classes, adjusting curriculum, and added an Algebra Lab for Algebra 1 support.

College enrollments and persistence have rebounded up from the COVID low, above the national averages. Da Vinci graduates have earned 58 certificates/credentials, 331 Associate degrees, 483 Bachelor degrees, 29 Master degrees, and 1 PhD. Since the first graduating class of 2012, Da Vinci has graduated 3,049 students.

Ms. Tami Christopher, Connect HS Principal, shared that their students have completed 131 college courses across Southern New Hampshire University, El Camino College, and UCLA Extension, and two students have obtained their AA degrees so far this year.

Dr. Johnson noted that the best data is actionable data, so measuring the impact of Da Vinci's signature practices and refining those practices based on data is important and urgent to the teams.

Dr. Hawn noted the collaboration with Wiseburn SEL and Formative assessment articulation sessions were successful, and the team looks forward to more collaboration.  She also noted that career readiness data is important, and the team is determining what types of data they want to collect and how they want to collect it.

Dr. Webber inquired about education net promoter scores. Ms. White explained that the federal data collection stopped due to COVID. 

Mr. Boston thanked the team for their work. He would like to chat with the team on the aggregation of data. Dr. Brann noted that perhaps a special session is warranted for those interested.

Ms. Michelle Rainey introduced Mr. Jeff Manassero, Executive Director of The Rivet School. He shared that he had previously taught in a highly-rated high school with very low college persistence rates. He started Rivet School as a response to his experiences and to help students achieve their college goals and successfully earn degrees.

Ms. Rainey described the proposed partnership with Rivet School to build capacity at DVX and support SNHU degree pursuit. DVX has broken ground in serving students beyond 12th grade, how it works well in an independent study framework, and which college partners are great for students. DVX requires more capacity than the program enrollment has been able to provide.  College enrollment has generally decreased, and DVX needs a clearer brand and purpose. Rivet School can provide capacity, expertise , and brand clarity.

Mr. Manassero shared a bit about Rivet School and their outcomes, saying that the non-profit has served over 300 students, producing 40 AA and 50 BA degrees, with a 70% persistence rate and a 75% graduation rate (BA in 6 years). Like DVX, Rivet School partners with Southern New Hampshire University. It also provides support to students beyond earning their degree.

Ms. Rainey noted Rivet's clear vision and branding, which will help DVX work better. 

The partnership would expand the Bridge program at Rivet, which is designed to support 18-22 year-olds with guided cohort-based experience. Students would enroll in SNHU's general education AA or Communications, Business Management, or Healthcare Administration BA programs. They would also receive career programming and coaching. Rivet School will operate autonomously, but in deep collaboration with Da Vinci staff and leadership.

Ms. Rainey described the planning process. Mr. Michael Amato spoke briefly about the financial aspects of the partnership. 

The partnership will be brought before the Da Vinci Board in March for approval, with the goal of launching the first cohort in August/September 2023.

Mr. Santiago inquired about the initial 15 student enrollment. Brief discussion ensued. Dr. Wunder noted that the Rivet School board had just approved the partnership. Mr. Boston would like to understand the financial big picture. Mr. Amato will prepare an analysis in advance.

Mr. Amato shared the January balance sheet and profit & loss statement. Mr. Boston would like to see the prior period to see the trends over a year's time.

Mr. Amato discussed new accounting requirements: "right of use assets" and Leases Payable. These items cover large equipment leases (such as copier printers) and real estate leases (like 550 Continental Blvd.). All future payments on those leases must be shown under Assets, and all future payments must also be shown under Liabilities. The expenses must be taken at a flat rate over time, and the difference between the flat rate and the actual amounts paid must be shown on the balance sheet. The Profit & Loss sheet will always show actual figures. Mr. Amato then went over the Budget Summary.

The 2021-22 tax return covers July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Mr. Amato thanked Mr. Gary Wayland, who prepares the return for Da Vinci Schools pro bono.

Mr. Amato also described the Request for Proposal for Food Service which is up for board approval, and the process for awarding the contract for the next school year. He also spoke about the ERC Funds designation as reserve funds, which designation may be changed in the future as needed. Reserve funds are in a Banc of California insured cash sweep account where it is covered by federal insurance. The drawback is the low interest rate. Mr. Amato is exploring solutions with higher returns in alternative safe vehicles. Brief discussion ensued.  Dr. Brann requested Mr. Amato bring his findings to the Board.

Mr. Bravo spoke of 550 Continental Blvd. passing its Fire/Life/Safety inspection. The Certificate of Occupancy will be delivered in a few days. The soccer field dirt moving opportunity has unfortunately fallen through. An architect is still being sought to submit the plans to DSA. The team is working with neighbor Millennium Space Systems to place a crane to complete the cooling tower replacement on March 31 and April 1. The project is expected to be completed by April 10.

Regarding the coffee bar, students have been trained, one barista has been hired, and another is being sought. The soft opening is anticipated in March. Operating hours are being devised. 

There are many events in March:  a gymnastics tournament, the FRC Robotics L.A. Regional tournament. Two international teams are expected, one from Taiwan and hopefully one from Turkey. The CARnival fundraiser is greatly anticipated, as it was a lot of fun last year.

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Mr. Meath shared that he is not convinced that this is the right direction for Da Vinci Schools. Dr. Hawn shared that the program would initially enroll 30 students. In-person learning and socialization is critical. There are a number of students who are fairly high-achieving, but who don't fit into the standard school day, but are not in the home hospital "bucket." There is a growing desire among students and parents for more flexible options. All the extracurriculars and perhaps pathway classes that could be offered to these students. It would be more like Connect, a hybrid program that is more robust than the home hospital program. These students go elsewhere if their needs are not met.

Dr. Wunder noted that Connect is not the answer for these students who don't want the college piece of Connect High School. Dr. Hawn noted that it would be a pilot that would come back to the board after a robust evaluation. The goal is to better serve current Da Vinci students in this demographic, not to publicize the program to new students. The program is self limiting because of capacity limits. 

Dr. Wunder noted it is not a bid for higher enrollment. Mr. Steve Wallis shared that Dr. Hawn has carefully listened to the site leaders and Dr. Green and has done much research on this subject. In his experience, there are students who don't want to be in school daily, and sometimes it's temporary. It would be easier to help them within the structure that we have, rather than doing home hospital "one-offs." Mr. Boston inquired about the sustainability of the costs for what could be a small number of students that changes.

Ms. Heimov commented that the pilot program would be in keeping with Da Vinci's desire to meet students where they are. Dr. Webber shared that she is in favor of a pilot, as it's an innovative idea. Mr. Meath expressed his concerns about the administrative costs, saying that Da Vinci cannot be all things to all people. Dr. Wunder shared that Design principal Russell Stoll had just texted him to say that he has four current students at Design who could benefit from much easier onramps and offramps to a temporary independent study model. Most of the students have medical needs, and home hospital is not as robust as what could be offered through Flex. 

Closed session entered at 8:37 p.m.

Public Session reconvened at 10:55 p.m.

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