Environmental Charter Schools
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Location
In-person location: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Two-way teleconference locations: 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 | 13885 Dogleg Lane, Broomfield, CO 80023
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, President...............3 years June 30, 2028
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2028
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................3 years June 30, 2026
Ms. Jenina Ramirez................................3 years June 30, 2027
Dr. Madhu Chatwani...............................3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Kennedy Hilario................................3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Herb Sims.........................................3 years June 30, 2028
Mr. Mason Williams.................................3 years June 30, 2028
Mr. Andrew Ellenbogen...........................3 years June 30, 2026
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Superintendent
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance
Mr. Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance & Operations
Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of SpEd & English Language Development
Mr. Cesar Delgado, Director of Student Wellness
Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Principal at ECHS-Gardena
Ms. Jennifer Larsen, Principal at ECHS-Lawndale
Mission:
Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
Values:
JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement.
COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.
CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.
SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.
LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.
THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT BOARD MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
Environmental Charter Schools recognizes that it benefits greatly from public input and perspective. Individuals are invited to address the Board on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Environmental Charter School's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish).
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Board's presiding officer.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5. Previous board meeting minutes may be viewed on the Board On Track public portal website at https://app2.boardontrack.com/public/3tHo3u/home.
Agenda
Purpose | Presenter | Time | |||
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I. | Opening Items | 5:00 PM | |||
Opening Items
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A. | Record attendance and guests | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m | ||
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B. | Call the Meeting to Order | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m | ||
C. | Approve the agenda | Vote | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m | |
D. | Opener | Discuss | Danielle Kelsick | 5 m | |
II. | Presentations from the Floor | 5:08 PM | |||
A. | Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items | FYI | 10 m | ||
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). |
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B. | Presentations from the floor on agenda items | FYI | 10 m | ||
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each). |
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III. | Discussion Items / Updates | 5:28 PM | |||
A. | Superintendent update: preview of 2025-26 Academic Priority Plan | FYI | Danielle Kelsick | 10 m | |
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IV. | Consent Items A-H | 5:38 PM | |||
A. | Approve 6/23/2025 board meeting minutes | Approve Minutes | Jeremiah David | 3 m | |
B. | Approve 7/15/2025 Governance Committee meeting minutes | Approve Minutes | Jeremiah David | ||
C. | Approve contracts | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
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D. | Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2025-26 | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
E. | Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2025-26 School Year (Board Policy 32188) | Vote | Sarah Jamieson | ||
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F. | Approve 2025-26 ECS Employee Handbook | Vote | Sarah Jamieson & Jeremiah David | ||
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G. | Approve revised 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
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H. | Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment) | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
V. | Action Items | 5:41 PM | |||
A. | Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena | Vote | Sarah Jamieson | 3 m | |
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B. | Elect prospective board member Remco Waller to ECS Board | Vote | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 3 m | |
C. | Accept board member resignation of Jenina Ramirez effective 7/28/2025 | Vote | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 3 m | |
VI. | Upcoming Dates/Announcements | 5:50 PM | |||
A. | Next ECS Board Meeting | FYI | Danielle Kelsick | 1 m | |
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B. | Next ECS Committee Meetings | FYI | Danielle Kelsick | 1 m | |
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C. | Appreciations | Discuss | All Attendees | 1 m | |
VII. | Transition to Closed Session | 5:53 PM | |||
A. | Adjourn to Closed Session | Vote | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m | |
VIII. | Closed Session | 5:54 PM | |||
A. | STUDENT DISCIPLINE – EXPULSION APPEAL (Government Code § 54957 and Education Code § 35146) | Discuss | 10 m | ||
Consideration of appeal of expulsion decision for Student #2025-001, pursuant to the ECS Expulsion Appeal Process.
The Board will deliberate on the parent’s written request to reconsider the expulsion determination.
Board member(s) who participated in the Expulsion Committee will recuse themselves from this item. |
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B. | CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9) | Discuss | 10 m | ||
Name of Case: Environmental Educators United, CTA/NEA v. Environmental Charter Schools. Case No. LA-CE-6934-E. |
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C. | CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code §54957.6) | Discuss | 10 m | ||
Agency Designated Representative: Robert Escalante
Employee Organization: Environmental Educators United |
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IX. | Report Out of Closed Session | 6:24 PM | |||
A. | Report Out | FYI | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m | |
X. | Closing Items | 6:25 PM | |||
A. | Adjourn Meeting | Vote | Dr. Betsy Hamilton | 1 m |