Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECMS-Inglewood

Date and Time

Monday January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST

Location

In-person location: ECMS-Inglewood, 3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303

 

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

Ms. Zena Fong, Vice President.............3 years June 30, 2026
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................3 years  June 30, 2026
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2028

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

Mr. Remco Waller...................................3 years June 30, 2028
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position  

ECS Staff   
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Superintendent

Ms. Lucia Bañuelos, Deputy Superintendent of Schools

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

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record attendance and guests   Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
   
  • Versión en español
 
  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).

 
  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).

 
III. Discussion Items / Updates 5:28 PM
  A. Superintendent update FYI Danielle Kelsick 5 m
  B. ECMS-Inglewood charter renewal petition discussion Discuss Danielle Kelsick 30 m
   
  • Draft renewal ECMS-Inglewood charter petition
  • Draft renewal ECMS-Inglewood budget
 
  C. Publication of Fact-Finding Recommendations FYI 2 m
   

Purpose: Make public the fact-finding chair’s written findings and recommendations received on December 9, 2025, pursuant to Gov. Code § 3548.3.

 

Fact-Finding Recommendations: PERB Chair email dated 12/9/2025

From: DAVID HART <[redacted]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 10:57:55 AM
To: Lockhart, Wendy <[redacted]>
Cc: [Tracy Bondi] <[redacted]>; factfinding@perb.ca.gov <factfinding@perb.ca.gov>
Subject: Re: CASE NO:LA-IM-4190-E

I have did my research and my advisory terms of settlement are as listed below.

I researched the Unified web site and found the CBA for certificated. For Arbitration they request a panel from SMCS. ECS can do that also. I also will contact SMCS that if either the Unified or ECS ask for a panel, my name will not be included. That erases any argument of a conflict of interest.

As to the money part. Mid year 25-26 a one percent increase to the Counselors etc.

Effective 26-27, a one per cent increase to the same classifications. 

That is my advisory opinion. Now you can put ink in your pens and sign. 

Thank you
 

Sent from my iPad

 
IV. Consent Items A-B 6:05 PM
  A. Approve 12/1/2025 board meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
   
  • 12/1/2025 board meeting minutes
 
     
  B. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) Sustainability Pre-apprenticeship Program Development Proposal
    1. Staff analysis: Consulting proposal with Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS). Services will support design and registration of ECS’s Sustainability Specialist pre-apprenticeship pathway aligned to CAPS’s Sustainability Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), including RAP sponsorship documentation and an MOU at a cost of $17,750.
 
V. Action Item 6:08 PM
  A. Approve submission of ECMS-Inglewood charter petition renewal package to Los Angeles County Office of Education Vote Danielle Kelsick 5 m
   
  • Draft renewal ECMS-Inglewood charter petition (attached in previous item III.B)
  • Draft renewal ECMS-Inglewood budget (attached in previous item III.B)
  • Draft appendices and other required sections
 
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:13 PM
  A. Next ECS board meeting FYI Danielle Kelsick 1 m
   
  • Monday, February 23, 2026 @ 5pm
 
  B. Next ECS committee meetings FYI Danielle Kelsick 1 m
   
  • Finance Committee - June 18, 2026 @ 8:30am
 
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 6:16 PM
  A. Adjourn to closed session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 6:17 PM
  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9) Discuss 30 m
   

Name of Case: Environmental Educators United, CTA/NEA v. Environmental Charter Schools. Case No. LA-CE-6934-E.

 
  B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code §54957.6) Discuss 30 m
   

Agency Designated Representative: Robert Escalante

 

Employee Organization: Environmental Educators United

 
IX. Report out of Closed Session 7:17 PM
  A. Report out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
X. Closing Items 7:18 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m