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Ms. Heimov thanked the students and staff for their efforts in supporting the wildfire victims and community, and welcomed Ms. Schaefer.

Mr. Boston, Mr. Ochoa, and Mr. Santiago echoed Ms. Heimov's comments.

Mr. Santiago also noted that the Design, Communications, and Science student exhibitions he visited were impressive, and he congratulated the principals, staff, and students for their work.

Dr. Webber welcomed Ms. Schaefer, and shared that the Da Vinci community had donated over 2,000 meals and additional supplies to the wildfire victims and first responders. She also appreciated the amount of information the team released with resources and ways to help those in need.

Dr. Wunder reiterated the board members' comments.

He also spoke of the changes in law and that he and the team are reviewing recommendations from various sources (the CDE, legal firms, etc.) and will protect students and staff to the fullest extent of the law.

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Coordinator William Bleier introduced the student update.

Awishkar Shrestha gave the Science update, sharing the Youth & Government Bill Hearing Night event in November, where students decided which bill to present in Sacramento; FRC kickoff and bonding events in December and Presentations of Learning (POLs) and finals in January.

Elyssa Chaidez shared the Design update, speaking about POLs in December where students exhibited projects such as a community-oriented shoe design project in Ethnic Studies, as well as other English, Math, and Art projects. She also noted the organization-wide meal drive for first responders and victims of the California wildfires in January.

Ethan Carter gave the Connect High School event, sharing photos from the 9th and 11th grade Exhibition in November, the Blood Drive and school fundraising bake sale in December, and supporting the Community Fire Relief Store in partnership with El Segundo's WWOO Concrete Outdoor Kitchen in January.

Zion Broadnax gave the Connect TK-8 update, speaking about the Fall Festival Winter Performing Arts showcase, Winter Exhibition, wildfire relief meal drive, and a separate produce giveaway to wildfire victims, and an ongoing animal shelter donation drive for wildfire victims.

Brian Winbush shared the Communications update, speaking about Exhibition in November, showcasing Media Production Pathway projects among many others, POLs featuring Biology's cancer research projects and U.S. History presidential debates, and the Student Task Force club event (partnering with Human Rights Watch) focusing on human rights violations.

Dr. Webber thanked the students for their presentations.

Vanessa Pineda of Christy White Associates gave the financial audit presentation. The audit for the year ending June 2024 covered four Da Vinci Schools (Communications, Design, Science, and Connect). Ms. Pineda and her team audited the financial statements, supplemental information like average daily attendance, instructional time, compliance, and organization structure.

The auditors' report gave an Unmodified Opinion (best possible opinion) with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies for all sections of the audit.

She thanked the Da Vinci staff and that of CSMC in providing all requested data in a timely manner and making the audit process smooth.

Dr. Wunder noted that a separate meeting will be held with just the auditor and three members of the Board:  Dr. Webber, Mr. Meath, and Mr. Boston.

Mr. Amato gave the financial update, sharing P1 attendance versus First Interim projections. He noted that he makes conservative projections for attendance; current P1 attendance numbers exceed his projections. Brief discussion on measuring ADA ensued.

Mr. Amato shared the revised 2024-25 First Interim budget. He spoke of the four-year Golden State Pathways grant revenue which he has begun to include in his budget to support CTE Pathway staff salary expenses. The Charles Schwab Foundation grant will be included once spending plans for it are finalized. 

Services and other operating expenses (utilities and transportation expenses) are coming in above budget. Utility companies' rates have increased well above the increases Mr. Amato projected and despite the efficiencies Da Vinci has achieved. More field trips than anticipated have resulted in  higher transportation costs.

Mr. Amato described the designated funds for deferred maintenance, economic uncertainty, and ERC funds. He explained the release of restricted funds received in prior years and spoke briefly about deferred maintenance and the Board agenda item for approving the changes to the Board-designated net assets, which would adjust them back to the June 30, 2024 amounts and make the designations official. Da Vinci's reserves are healthy.

In other notes, the timeframe for an IRS audit has passed, allowing Mr. Amato to free up $1.4M that he has been holding. Brief discussion ensued on the timeframe for spending ERC funds and for IRS audits.

Mr. Amato gave the November financial update, sharing the balance sheet and noting the normal, expected delay in receiving special education and grant funding, depreciation, and accrued liabilities. He commented that Da Vinci and RISE use many common vendors who bill Da Vinci and RISE reimburses their share.

Last, Mr. Amato shared that the Fiscal Policy has been updated to explicitly reflect unallowed expenses (alcoholic beverages) for staff. The practice has always been in place, but is now explicitly in writing.

Mr. Bravo shared that on January 2, the cafe plans were submitted to DSA for approval. The kitchen plans have been finalized and will be submitted to DSA on February 7. DSA is running at approximately 6-8 weeks for review and approval. The intent is to get the cafe up and running as soon as possible. The kitchen is a more extended project.

Mr. Boston would like a discussion on the data for Science and Design. Mr. Santiago would like to be included.

Closed session entered at 7:08 p.m.

Public session resumed at 7:56 p.m.

Dr. Webber reported that no action was taken in closed session.