Ms. Erin D'Souza, Da Vinci Communications Principal, gave a public comment describing the Class of 2027 Overnighter event which had just ended. The Overnighter has been a signature Da Vinci practice for 15 years. The 11th and 12th grade student leaders passed on the Da Vinci Communications culture of inclusivity and celebrating differences to the new 9th grade students. The students and staff enjoyed the experience. Ms. D'Souza expressed her gratitude to the Board and Dr. Wunder for supporting the Overnighters, which are provided free of charge to all students and contribute greatly to Da Vinci culture and students' sense of belonging.

Brief discussion about the tropical storm on Sunday and Monday ensued. Ms. D'Souza was grateful that Da Vinci was open on Monday so that they could make the trip, as the weather was beautiful when they got to the camp.

Dr. Webber commented that the Overnighter is a fantastic trip for the 9th graders, and a wonderful welcome them and introduction to Da Vinci's culture.

Dr. Brann noted that it was his last Da Vinci Schools Board meeting, as he is stepping down from the Board. He also commented that he would be attending the Wiseburn Retirees breakfast, where he will present newly printed copies of the continued history of Wiseburn.

Dr. Wunder thanked Dr. Brann for the thousands of hours he has put in to creating and supporting Da Vinci Schools over the past 16 years.

Dr. Wunder shared the commitment of staff to truly analyze the possibility of Advanced Placement classes. Dr. Allegra Johnson led the work to analyze the issue, which was first addressed in a Cabinet meeting. Dr. Wunder and the team are committed to a swift, public, comprehensive analysis of the benefits and tradeoffs of an AP program. 

Mr. Meath asked about site administrators' input. Dr. Wunder clarified that the administrators, staff, and alumni input would be taken into consideration. The Cabinet understands that this will be an iterative process.

Mr. Boston asked about the impetus for this study. Dr. Wunder shared that community discussion last year and Wiseburn and Da Vinci trustees' requests resulted in staff being asked to study the issue.

Dr. Wunder expressed his trepidation about doing AP classes in a traditional way, due to the inequity of access. However, he has heard from others that there may be a way to address equity issues. 

Dr. Wunder presented a few slides about the complexity of Da Vinci Schools resulting from attempting to create a student-centered public institution constrained by a public education system designed for mass production and batch processing. A large part of the complexity lies in compliance and funding. Da Vinci has five charter schools which are five separate LEAs, two authorizers, two school boards, 250+ partnerships, 347 employees (of which 122 are teachers with separate budgets), the Da Vinci Schools Fund, the Da Vinci Institute, and six separate locations. Da Vinci's financial growth from 2019 to 2023 is significant, of which fundraising has been an integral part. Ms. Levenson gets most of the credit for that, but Michael Amato and his team get the work of compliance and grant follow-through. Staff and students have benefited from that work. Good financial management has led to significant increases in per pupil funding, pay increases for staff, and protection from economic downturns (reserves).

Ms. Levenson gave a performing arts update, saying that we have received a lot of positive feedback. She thanked the Board for their support.

Regarding Wiseburn Community Outreach and Engagement, Da Vinci has hired a community liaison, consultant Christina Joubert, to develop deep roots in the community, add value for Wiseburn families, and increase Da Vinci's visibility.

Dr. Wunder noted that one of the topics for the 3x3 meeting is joint communications.

Mr. Boston asked about the community outside of Wiseburn. He asked staff to leverage the content created with the 60% of families from outside of Wiseburn, and create points of contact with them. Ms. Heimov shared that the Three Sixty at South Bay residential complex has not received any informational fliers due to their regulations. There should be a way to work with the HOA board to solve the issue.

Ms. Levenson gave the enrollment update, saying that 723 students enrolled this year. She believes that the enrollment numbers will come in right where budgeted. There are under 1,600 in the 201 N. Douglas Street building if you remove the 16 Da Vinci Flex students who are not on campus during the day.

964 students (449 9th graders) are on the wait list.

85% of Dana 8th grade Wiseburn residents, 83% of Dana non-resident 8th graders, and 78% of Connect 8th graders enrolled at Da Vinci.

New students enrolling across all grades at Da Vinci Schools come from these top feeder districts:  L.A. Unified (22), Wiseburn (174), Centinela Valley (124), Inglewood (97(, Torrance Unified (30), Redondo Unified (30), Hawthorne (28), Compton Unified (15), Manhattan Beach (14), and El Segundo (5).

Recruitment and outreach is year-round, featuring in-person info meetings and tours, virtual student chats, etc.

Ms. Heimov commented on the stellar reputation Da Vinci RISE High enjoys in the community that it serves.

Mr. Ochoa asked about statistics of students whose parents work in the aerospace industry. Dr. Brann has always been interested in this factor. Mr. Ochoa noted that the 105 freeway has made it more convenient to commute and bring students to the area around Da Vinci.

Dr. Wallis shared that the CTE Lab was used programmatically in the summer for the aviation and welding programs. All schools have brought students to the space. He is teaching a shop seminar for all 201 N. Douglas campus students. Dr. Wallis welcomed the Board members to tour the space.

Dr. Brann commented that we are here to make a dent in poverty and change the lives of young people. Not all students want to go to college, so expanding the space is critical.  Mr. Ochoa inquired about the software the students are using. He shared that employers require the use of Solidworks. Dr. Wallis shared that OnShape is being used because it is online and accessible. The Lab's computers are equipped to handle Solidworks. We are open to folks who know Solidworks to come and volunteer to teach it.  Mr. Santiago shared that he uses Creo, but using a true modeler like Solidworks is something that Da Vinci should pursue.

Mr. Amato shared the balance sheet, profit & loss statements, and year end results.

$5.1M increase in net assets were listed on the balance sheet, of which about $4.1M came from ERC funds. Da Vinci had a banner year in the number of grants across all of its schools, which benefits Da Vinci's financial position through the end of 2022-23 and into the future.

He noted the $4,973,755 net change in unrestricted funds which will be added to reserves. He shared Da Vinci's healthy reserve percentage of 35.9%. The year end net unrestricted operating reserves stand at $13.5M. The $1.5M reserve funding being held for the soccer field decreased to $0 due to Wiseburn opting to fund the field alone. CTE Studio project costs of $1,170,416 are in reserves, although the actual costs will be higher due to inflation. Da Vinci trustees allocated $1.5M to pay for the soccer field. When Wiseburn passed Measure EE, they told us they were paying for the field.

Mr. Denniston noted regarding the overall reserve percentage; the statewide average is in the 15-20% range, so Da Vinci has a comfortably larger average reserve than other districts at 35.9%.

Mr. Bravo expressed his gratitude that the Girls' Volleyball team and their families are back on the Mainland.  He introduced Mr. Nick Davidson, aka A.D., the new Athletic Director of Wiseburn Da Vinci Athletics. Mr. Davidson thanked the board members and expressed his hope to see them at the games. 

Mr. Bravo spoke of the student morning drop off program being piloted. The El Segundo Police Department has delineated a drop off zone in the back of the campus. Each of the 201 N. Douglas St. schools will have a chance to drop off students in the back of the campus to test it. If it is successful, Da Vinci hopes to keep the drop off zone, which is located on Grand Avenue.

Brief discussion ensued about the rotation of the staggered start times among the schools.

Mr. Bravo went on to note that the construction firm for the CTE Studio was approved by both the Da Vinci and Wiseburn Boards. The soccer field architect has been approved by the Wiseburn Board, as well.

Dr. Webber expressed her gratitude for Mr. Bravo, who cares about the personal safety of every student.

Dr. Brann requested to defer this item until after the closed session.

Closed session entered at 7:29 p.m.

Public session reconvened at 8:38 p.m.

Dr. Brann stated that no action was taken in Closed session, but that the Board would take a vote on the remaining item IV. H.

Dr. Brann read the following statement.

The proposed bonus is in the amount of $37,500 a year over the course of Michael Amato's remaining three year contract. Payments are split in December and June. We have received a comp analysis from Veronica earlier this week.

Michael is planning for a move to the State of Nevada in the coming months to support his family. We are in the process of completing a remote work agreement but cannot do so until he establishes residency there, sometime during the school year 2023-24. Once he makes the move, we will complete the Remote Work Agreement and bring it back to the Board for approval. Michael will be in attendance at Da Vinci Board meetings and work in person at various other times during each month.