None.

Dr. Jennings welcomed everyone back from the Winter break. She noted that she is looking forward to Spring Graduation.

Dr. Johnstone greeted everyone Happy New Year.

Dr. Wunder expressed confidence and optimism about RISE. He mentioned that the meeting with Dr. Duardo was canceled due to illness. Dr. Wunder explained his understanding of the purpose and intent of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan requested from LACOE. He also shared his deep respect for the work that Mr. Whalen is doing and thanked LACOE for being supportive, fair, and equitable.

El Camino College Update 
Dr. Thames and Mr. Whalen discussed pausing the MOU for the 24-25 school year. Board members and Dr. Thames remain in support of the RISE and ECC partnership and believe it is in the best interest to pause the partnership at this time and prepare to open in the 25-26 school year. President Thames would like to launch shared programming between RISE and El Camino College at zero cost to RISE. She suggested that RISE use the El Camino vans to transport dual enrollment students to and from RISE campuses. RISE envisions using the next two semesters to establish shared programming that highlights the power of this potential partnership to focus the Board's decision on impact.

RISE Participation in DV Programs 
Mr. Whalen is working with CMO and DV Connect Executive Director Michelle Rainey in facilitating a discussion with the DV cabinet devoted to finding equitable ways for RISE and Connect students to have access to Da Vinci Signature programming (Athletics, Arts, Career Technical Ed, Facilities, etc.) The team will identify barriers and solutions and co-create participation goals for RISE and Connect students in each major program area. This will require RISE staff’s continued and increased promotion of DV programs.

RISE as a Restorative & Healing-Centered Community
Mr. Whalen shared that the RISE Mindset entails that all staff are responsible for supporting all students' social-emotional development, healing, and safety. Educators have an advisory/caseload for which they are the first responders. Admin and the SSS team have periods of the day/circumstances where they are called upon to support all behavioral challenges on campus. Mr. Whalen shared that no one role owns all behavior. Mr. Whalen addressed the Universal Staff Competencies, which include running community-building circles within advisory, facilitating restorative conversations, having crucial and high-stakes conversations with students when conflicts arise, and working with the Lead Behavior Interventionist to continuously improve the youth-adult relationship needed to grow students’ social-emotional competencies.

Lead Behavior Interventionist 
Mr. Whalen reviewed the Lead Behavior Interventionist job description. This role includes supporting RISE staff with refining and developing the skills needed to support student behavior, safety, and social-emotional competency-building across campuses through coaching, modeling, and professional development. A hiring symposium was held on Wednesday, January 10th, with potential candidate Mr. Jonathan Williams. Mr. Williams majored in Psychology and minored in Drama. Mr. Whalen noted Mr. Williams' experience and credentials, including 8+ years of non-profit work, behavior modification skills, conflict resolution techniques, NCTI and Real Colors Certified Facilitator, and Mental Health and CPR First Aide certification. Mr. Williams has facilitated one-on-one case management sessions, psycho-education group sessions, therapeutic training, and many self-help and conflict-resolution strategies.

Media and Storytelling 
Mr. Whalen provided an update on current media news for RISE. Winter Graduation was featured in the Los Angeles Daily News. The Dennis Quaid show is featuring of RISE High School and is creating three nationwide videos that will be presented on various platforms. The first video will be a public television segment airing across the US. It is a 3-5-minute short-form documentary. There will also be a corporate identity video, which is an in-depth look into RISE High School. The third video will be a commercial television airing used for network distribution. Filiming will begin at the end of February. APCH and New Earth have revamped our partnership web pages containing up-to-date school and contact information.  

Fundraising 

Mr. Whalen provided an update on RISE’s current fundraising efforts. Da Vinci RISE was awarded the MHSOAC grant. The purpose of the grant is to increase mental health, academic, and enrichment programming and services to RISE students. The grant is a two-year term with the potential for long-term recurring funding. Increased money will go towards transportation, part-time BI/Para roles, and attendance support. RISE was also awarded the Learning Innovation Fund. The $75k awarded will go towards general operating expenses. Future funding will go towards launching El Camino. RISE was awarded an Adidas sponsorship. $5,000 worth of Adidas gear is provided for RISE students to participate in athletic programming. The participation agreement requests that attire should be kept and washed on campus. Camp Los Angeles held a drive for RISE. Materials and resources are to be provided to students and families based on expressed need via case management.

Advocacy
Mr. Whalen shared that the meeting with Dr. Debra Duardo, County Superintendent, has been postponed. He also expressed gratitude for support from Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and Deputy Superintendent Nancy Portillo.

Principal Lara reviewed the 2023-24 RISE priorities: instruction, DV signature practices, and restorative practices.  

January Data and Demographics Update 
In January, RISE served 184 students, 44% of whom are opportunity youth. LP5 ADA 12/04/23 - 12/29/23 was 51.49% at Richstone, 53.67% at APCH, and 45.03% at New Earth. Schoolwide ADA is 49.33%.  

Attendance System Rollout Updates
Auditors approved the new learning log template, which was rolled out with all staff during Winter PD week. Mrs. Lara noted that dedicated time is planned with all advisors and teachers to norm agreements and aim for sustainability.

Winter Professional Development
Mrs. Lara shared photos from Winter Professional Development Week. Staff were engaged in planning, circle, and group activities to prepare for the third quarter.

Project-Based & Real World Learning Updates 
Mrs. Lara shared upcoming events for the third quarter. Recruitment for Belonging As Legacy Round 2 will be taking place at APCH. The program will incorporate more “place-based” learning at the USC campus. CANDLE Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine is hosting the second experiential learning event at the end of January. Dr. Emily Green will lead Welfie: “Wellness Selfie.” It is a pilot program focused on mental health and wellness. A team of students will focus on content, coding, community advocacy, and understanding clinical support. Project-Based Learning Passion Projects are underway. Students are continuing to make progress toward answering driving and essential questions. They are continuing to connect with industry experts and community partners and preparing for the May Exhibition.

Winter Graduation
Mrs. Lara shared photos from the 2023 Winter Graduation at APCH.

Mr. Amato reviewed December financials. He displayed the balance sheet and reported that cash remains high at $1.4 million due to the time of the year. More funding has come in than expenses going out. For accounts receivable, more than half has been collected in January. The amount reflects normal recurring funding from the State and Federal governments, including special education funding. Mr. Amato noted that prepaid expenses are payments to partners that are either quarterly or semi-annual payments that are advanced and taken month-to-month overtime. In Liabilities, Other reflects general bills that are accrued and pending payment in January and February. Deferred revenue reflects money that has been collected from various grants, including state and federal money paid to RISE, but that has yet to be spent. It will be spent this year and will eventually be posted in revenue. Due to Da Vinci represents two months’ worth of payments, November and December. Net assets reflect reserves from the prior year and the current year's increase/decrease.

Mr. Amato then reviewed the profit and loss statement. First interim projections are reflected, and one key variance is in Foundation Grants and Donations. There is a negative variance of $278,000, which reflects the unsecured grant and donation figure of approximately $560,000. Mr. Amato noted that, as presented in the first interim projections, RISE must apply for and receive grants for the organization to break even. Thus far, RISE has received $75,000 from Getting Smart, which counts for this year. The mental health grant, a 2-year grant, will go towards this school year and the $560,000 goal. Staff have been working towards securing grants since the first interim to reduce the deficit, but we are not there yet. More work is being done to meet the shortage.  

Mr. Amato noted that a big piece of the revenue is LCFF, which is ADA and enrollment funding. Mr. Amato noted there might be a revenue risk under LCFF. The year started slow and below the projected enrollment and ADA goals, but staff remain hopeful that this will build back during the second part of the year. Expenses are so far as planned. Mr. Amato reported small variances from the first interim projections, which is not abnormal. The plan is to break even by securing more grants and donations and holding on to and increasing ADA and enrollment.

Mr. Amato shared that the Governor’s Budget proposal was released for next year’s budget. The good news is that there were no general cuts to education funding, and a small COLA of 0.76% for LCFF and other state funding is included in his proposal. The amount is smaller than in years past, but the slight increase is still good news, given the State’s budget challenges.

Mr. Bravo shared that the team completed drop-offs of the portable air filters to APCH and New Earth. He noted that the use of the RISE van is going well and offered the other two DV vans for use as needed. Van wraps with DV logos will be completed soon. 

Closed session was entered at 7:02pm

Close session reconvened at 8:07pm. Nothing to report.