None.

Dr. Johnstone greeted everyone in attendance and expressed his enthusiasm for seeing everyone in person. Dr. Jennings agreed.

Mr. Whalen shared an update on the El Camino College partnership. The redline has been provided to legal teams for review. The next steps include a RISE presentation at the April 17th ECC Board Meeting, approval of MOU at the April 19th DVLAC Board meeting, and submission of Material Revision to LACOE on April 20th. Dr. Wunder shared news regarding the passing of El Camino College Board President Kenneth A. Brown. President Brown was a RISE advocate. 

Upcoming approval items include colocation MOUs and agreements. APCH and New Earth MOUs and the facility agreement with Richstone are finalized and ready for approval at the April Board meeting. We are currently in the process with El Camino College. The potential approval timeline is ECC Board approval on April 17th, DVLAC Board approval on April 19th, and submission of Material Revision to LACOE on April 20th. The potential timeline of LACOE meetings includes a public hearing on June 6th and LACOE Board approval on July 11th.

Mr. Whalen provided a fundraising update. New Schools Venture Fund invited RISE to apply for a launch grant for RISE at El Camino. The ask is $150k to $250k, and RISE will submit the grant on Thursday, March 30th. Mr. Whalen shared appreciation for Carla Levenson and Megan Martin for their support. 

Mr. Whalen shared advancement updates. He was featured on the Learning Futures podcast and discussed reinventing American high schools. He also presented at the UCLA Center for Community Engagement P3 meeting, and UCLA Youthsource Center expressed interest in a RISE campus onsite. 

On March 23rd, 12 XQ New York School Leaders & Educators visited APCH and Richstone. They came to learn about our colocation model, community partnerships, and ways of providing wraparound services to youth.

Mr. Whalen shared a video of LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's visit at Richstone. 

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

February Data and Demographics Update
RISE served 197 students, 45% of whom are opportunity youth. ADA from 1/23/2023 - 2/17/2023 was 59.83% at Richstone, 56.88% at APCH, and 45.05% at New Earth. School-wide ADA is 54.83%. Mrs. Lara highlighted data about student support services provided from August through March at APCH, New Earth, and Richstone.

Dr. Jennings inquired about enrollment and attendance at the New Earth location. Mrs. Lara shared that students are still getting into the flow of the new learning resource model. RISE is working with New Earth in aligning their programming with working with teachers so programming and curriculum content competencies can be more aligned. Dr. McCullough asked if RISE has any conversations regarding LA County juvenile justice camps shutting down. Mr. Whalen mentioned that the team would look into it. Continued discussion ensued.

Mrs. Lara provided an update on Community Canvassing Planning. Staff are currently looking at planning for Friday, April 28th. The first step is to hold Home Visit Training with all staff. The next step is getting sign-ups for staff volunteers to canvas in pairs of two. RISE will hold a 2-3 hour Community Canvassing event and will plan for additional dates. Moving forward, staff will calendar 1-2 Community Canvassing dates each quarter next school year where all staff are required to participate. 

Partnership Update
APCH: It is testing season, and staff are gathering data with NWEA testing. An artificial Intelligence writing tool has been included that kids are embracing for both personal and testing use. Staff are building lasting community relationships with The Broad and The Riverside Art Museums as students visited both museums for interactive activities in the past week. Students have been participating in weekly enrichment for The Advot Project, Benkadi African Drumming, and Planned Parenthood, giving students a chance for a well-rounded experience where they are also eligible for VAPA and elective credit. APCH hosted a gathering of RISE Ambassadors from all sites, which went swimmingly. 

Richstone: - RISE students will be volunteering to help with the food distribution program. Cross-site field trips took place on March 22nd; students went to The Broad, and on March 29th, students visited The Riverside Art Museum/The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture.

New Earth: Recruitment efforts have been going great. Staff have recruited and enrolled a total of 12 new youth. Fifteen students gathered data about carbon dioxide from the desert floor to the top of Mount Jacinto.

Mrs. Lara provided an update regarding the Strongpoint observation visit. Strengths include relationships and leaders being caretakers of the mission. Feedback noted that RISE systems and structures are in place for learners to connect and build strong relationships with adults, their peers, and the broader community. Furthermore, school leaders at Da Vinci RISE ensure the mission is the litmus test for all decisions at the school and that stakeholders understand the key priorities for realizing the school’s model. Recommendations on innovative practices and metacognitive development were encouraged. Feedback noted that while attending to the holistic needs of the child is a shared commitment at RISE, intentional work is needed to clarify the instructional model, how it will be implemented, and how students will receive a personalized learning experience that meets their needs for graduation and beyond. It also mentioned that RISE must ensure that all learners are supported in clearly articulating the arc of their learning journeys, setting their own learning goals, and monitoring their progress throughout their time at RISE.

Mrs. Lara shared experiential learning photos from field trips to Mount Jacinto, The Cheech Center for Chicano Art and Culture, and The Broad.

Mr. Amato reviewed the February financial statements. The Balance sheet shows cash in the bank at $1.24 million and accounts receivable at $750,000. Accounts receivable reflects the XQ grant currently in the DVSF funds, which will be transferred to the RISE account. Due from Grantor Governments is $245,000, which reflects SMAA program and ESSER funds. Mr. Amato then reviewed current liabilities and net assets. Accounts payable is just under $40,000, and deferred revenue is about $593,000. This number has significantly decreased due to expenses and is reflected in the Profit and Loss statement. Total net assets are just over $1.35 million, and total liabilities and net assets are $2.34 million. Mr. Amato reviewed the Profit and Loss statement for July through February, noting minor variances in revenue and expenses. RISE is on track with a net surplus of just under $10,000 for the year.

Dr. Johnstone asked about the ADA assumption for the second interim. Mr. Amato shared that the assumption is 52%. Dr. Jennings inquired about local revenue. Mr. Amato noted that local revenue includes a variety of grants, foundations, and donations, including about $100,000 of SPED revenue. One-time dollars are reflected in the Federal and Other State revenue lines.

Mr. Amato shared that the Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual is up for approval. The amendment includes clarification and identification of specific positions within the organization that currently and in the future, can authorize the execution of contracts, purchases, and expenditures and endorse checks, drafts, and orders for the payment, withdrawal, or transfer of money in the name of and on behalf of RISE. Dr. Johnstone inquired about the update, and Mr. Amato shared that under the advice of counsel, it should be added because it is how we currently operate.

Mr. Denniston reported that it is a quiet time of year for State budget-related information. There is currently nothing to report.

Mr. Bravo shared that staff are focused on preparedness following the recent school shootings. Staff are working diligently to ensure we have a good relationship with first responders. Safety Officer Glen Noya is our liaison and is working with LAPD, Hawthorne PD, and Culver City PD. 

The van should arrive in the next couple of months and will be ready for use next year. 

Next month portable air cleaners and ionizers will be checked and replaced as necessary. New equipment is being provided for New Earth. 

Richstone is installing panic bar doors in the MPR as a measure to increase safety. 

Closed session was entered at 6:56 PM.

The Board reconvened for public session  at 7:47 PM. Dr. Jennings shared that there is nothing to report.