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Wiseburn Unified board denies material revision to DaVinci Connect charter, cites governance and oversight gaps
Summary
The Wiseburn Unified School District board voted 5-0 to deny a material revision to the DaVinci Connect charter petition, citing unclear governance, oversight and financial sustainability. Board members said the decision aims to protect students and to encourage DaVinci to resubmit with additional detail.
The Wiseburn Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously on May 4 to deny a material revision to the DaVinci Connect charter petition and adopted the staff and legal report dated May 1, 2026, as its written factual findings.
Board members said they supported DaVinci Schools’ mission but were not satisfied the submission provided necessary clarity around governance, long-term financial sustainability and measurable student outcomes. "This is one of the hardest votes I’ve ever made," said board member Neil, who urged DaVinci to resubmit after addressing the flagged issues. Nelson thanked the petitioners for their mission to support students experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable groups but said the district must ensure appropriate oversight and accountability before approving a material revision.
During the discussion, board members and legal counsel repeatedly referenced concerns over the proposed governance structure and unresolved questions related to the authorizing arrangements with county or other authorizers. The motion presented by the chair specified that a vote of "yes" would approve the denial; the board voted 5–0 to adopt the denial and the written report as the factual findings. The board’s chair noted alternative options for DaVinci, including resubmission to other authorizers or returning to the current authorizer, and said the district expects DaVinci to explore those pathways.
The vote follows a multi-month review process that included staff and legal analysis. Board members emphasized the decision was not a rejection of the program’s mission: several members praised DaVinci RISE’s work serving students who have struggled in traditional settings, but said it remains the board’s duty to evaluate governance and accountability.
The board did not approve the material revision; no additional actions were taken at the meeting. The district retains the option to review any future resubmission from DaVinci.
