Environmental Charter Schools

ECS Board of Directors' Meeting

Date and Time

Monday June 4, 2018 at 5:00 PM PDT

Location

ECHS Auxiliary Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
ECS Board Members                                                           Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Ken Deemer, President...................................................3 years  June 30, 2019
Mr. Anthony Jowid, Vice President........................................2 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary................................................3 years  June 30, 2020
Ms. Jenni Owen.....................................................................3 years  June 30, 2019
Ms. Cathy Creasia.................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................1 year June 30, 2018
Mr. Ernie Levroney.................................................................2 year June 30, 2019
Ms. Jenina Ramirez...............................................................3 years June 30, 2021
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative...........Rotating Position      

ECS Staff      
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Operating Officer 
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance and Operations 
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Kami Cotler, Acting Principal at ECMS - Gardena 
Ms. Beth Bernstein, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS 

Mission
To create and deliver vibrant, innovative, interdisciplinary learning opportunities using the environment to engage students and connect them to the wider world.

Vision
Our vision is that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to graduate from college, inspired to discover their own sense of purpose and empowered to become quality stewards of their own communities.

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.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Ken Deemer 1 m
   
  • Travis Collier, Lawndale Elementary School District (LESD) Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services (attending as LESD board representative for this ECS board meeting)
  • Introduction of Qiana O'Leary as Principal of ECMS-G starting July 1st, bio here 
 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Ken Deemer 1 m
  C. Approve the Agenda Vote Ken Deemer 1 m
  D. Approve Jenni Owens' letter of resignation from the ECS Board effective June 1, 2018 Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Jenni Owens' letter of resignation here
 
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:04 PM
 
Ad Hoc Technology Committee
 
  A. Presentations from the Floor on Non Agenda Items FYI
   
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
   
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. Reports/Presentations 5:04 PM
  A. CEO Update FYI Alison Diaz 5 m
  B. Principals Updates FYI School Principals 10 m
   
  • ECHS
  • ECMS-G
  • ECMS-I slides here 
 
  C. Financial Update FYI Dorothy Lee 20 m
   
  • EdTec financial update 2017-18 here 
  • ECS proposed budget 2018-2019 here
  • ECHS Apr 18 financials here
  • ECMS-G Apr 18 financials here
  • ECMS-I Apr 18 financials here
 
  D. Strategic Dashboard Update FYI Alison Diaz 20 m
   
  • 2018 ECS Strategic Dashboard is here
 
  E. Development Update FYI Julie Vo 10 m
   
 
  F. Equity and Diversity Update FYI Danielle Kelsick 5 m
  G. SELPA Discussion Discuss Alison Diaz 3 m
   
  • View draft SELPA Notification of Exit Letter here
 
IV. Study Session 6:17 PM
  A. LCAP for Each Site FYI Robert Maxwell 60 m
   
LCAP Presentation is here
  • ECMS-Inglewood 
  • ECHS
 
V. Approve Consent Items A-J 7:17 PM
  A. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes for April 09, 2018 Board Meeting Approve Minutes Ken Deemer 1 m
     
  B. Accept Minutes From the Following Board and Committee Meetings Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes on April 11, 2018 is here
  • Special Governance Committee Meeting Minutes on May 15, 2018 is here
  • Equity and Diversity Meeting Minutes on May 30, 2018 is here
  • Finance Committee Meeting Minutes on June 1, 2018 is here
 
  C. Approve March & April 2018 Check Registers as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   
  • March 2018 Check Register is here
  • April 2018 Check Register is here
 
  D. Accept March - April 2018 Private Donations Over $1000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Julie Vo
   
As recommended by Finance Committee, accept March  - April 2018 Private Donations Over $1000.
  • Private donations list is here
 
  E. Approve Candidates' Participation on the Following Board Committees Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Updated ECS Board Committee Roster is here
    • Added Farnaz Golshani-Flechner to Governance Committee
    • Added Alison Diaz to Finance Committee
    • Removed Lindsey Jurca from Development Committee
    • Removed Jenni Owens from Finance Committee and Development Committee
 
  F. Approve 2018-2019 Contracts as Recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   
Finance Committee recommends approval of the following agreements--for Contract #4, contingent upon the application and approval for a NatureBridge scholarship for the ECHS 12th grade field trip:

1. Catalina Island Camps Inc. 9th Grade (Outdoor Education at ECHS) - $33,672 expected annual cost, view here
2. Boojum Joshua Tree Camping 10th Grade (Outdoor Education at ECHS) - $36,405 expected annual cost, view here 
3. Boojum Joshua Tree Backpacking 11th Grade (Outdoor Education at ECHS) - $42,650 expected annual cost, view here 
4. NatureBridge 12th-grade (Outdoor Education at ECHS) - $33,364 expected annual cost (contingent upon grant funding), view here
5. NatureBridge 8th-grade group 1 (Outdoor Education at ECMS-G) - $8,560 expected annual cost, view here
6. NatureBridge 8th-grade group 2 (Outdoor Education at ECMS-G) - $8,560 expected annual cost, view here
7. NatureBridge (6th-grade, 7th-grade girls/boys (Outdoor Education at ECMS-I) - $45,080 expected annual cost (contingent upon grant funding), view 6th-grade contract here and 7th-grade contract here
8. Preferred Meals (school lunch provider) - $425,660 expected annual cost, view here
9. Jive Communications (VOIP telephony service provider for entire ECS organization) - $15,164 expected annual cost (after E-rate discount), view here
10. Charter Schools Tech Inc. (Managed tech services for entire ECS organization) - $239,040 expected annual cost (ECHS dedicated support: $47,400 annual; ECS shared support: $191,640 annual), view here
 
More contracts will be moved forward at August's board meeting.  These are the only ones ready for review. Please note all contracts costs are included in the budgets.
 
  G. Approve Award of General Construction Contract for DSA Portable project to Curtom-Dunsmuir Vote Alayna Santos
   
Contingent on LESD approval of DSA Portable project.
  • Curtom-Dunsmuir proposal is here
 
  H. Approve Title IX Policy Vote Marcela Pak
   
  • ECS Title IX Policy here
 
  I. Approve Revised ECS Uniform Complaint Procedure Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Revised ECS Uniform Complaint Procedure here
 
  J. Acceptance of Form 990 Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
 
VI. Action Items 7:18 PM
  A. Approve 2018-2019 Board Terms and Officers Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • 2018-2019 Board Terms and Officers is here

Approve Board Term Renewals as follows:
  • Approve Zena Fong as board member for another 2-year term ending 6/30/2020
Approve Board Officers as follows:
  • Anthony Jowid for President
  • Ken Deemer for Vice President
  • Denise Berger for Secretary
  • Treasurer (open)
 
  B. Approve 2018-2019 Board and Committee Calendar Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • 2018-2019 Board and Committee Calendar is here
 
  C. Approve 2018-2019 Academic Calendars for each site Vote Danielle Kelsick and Principals 1 m
   
  • ECS 2018-2019 Academic Calendar is here
  • ECHS 2018-2019 Academic Calendar is here
  • ECMS-Inglewood 2018-2019 Academic Calendar is here
  • ECMS-Gardena 2018-2019 Academic Calendar is here
 
  D. Approve Graduation Waivers for 2 Students Vote ECHS Counselors/Special Ed Coordinator & KC Villoria 2 m
   
  • Waiver request 1 is here
  • Waiver request 2 is here
 
  E. Approve ECHS and ECMS-Inglewood LCAPs Vote Robert Maxwell 1 m
   
  • ECHS LCAP here
  • ECMS-Inglewood LCAP here
 
  F. Approve 2018-2019 Year Budgets for each school site as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi/Dorothy Lee and Alison Diaz 2 m
   
  • ECHS Budget is here
  • ECMS-Inglewood Budget is here
  • ECMS-Gardena Budget is here
 
  G. Approve 2018-2019 Education Protection Account Resolution/Plans as Recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi 1 m
   
  • Education Protection Account Plans here
  • View Resolution regarding the Education Protection Account here
 
  H. Approve Investment Policy as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi 1 m
   
  • Recommended approval of Investment Policy is here
 
  I. Approve Board Policy 32188 - Teacher Assignment Option Based on Education Code §44258.3 Vote Alison Diaz 2 m
   
  • Board Policy 32188 is here
 
  J. Approve Student and Family Privacy Rights Policy Vote Jeremiah David 1 m
   
  • Student and Family Privacy Rights Policy here
 
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 7:31 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meetings FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Special Board Meeting - June 25, 2018 at 9am (location TBD)
  • Regular Board Meeting - August 20, 2018 at 5pm at Environmental Charter High School Auxiliary Office
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Academic Excellence Committee Meeting - July 5, 2018
  • Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting - July 18, 2018
  • Facilities Committee Meeting - August 1, 2018
  • Governance Committee Meeting - August 8, 2018
  • Finance Committee Meeting - August 17, 2018
 
  C. Student Led Tours FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Sign up for a tour here
    • Tuesday, June 12 at 10 AM at ECHS
 
  D. Upcoming Events FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • ECHS
    • Graduation - June 19th at 5pm (Marsee Auditorium--El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506)
  • ECMS-Gardena
    • Culmination - June 15th at 11am (Hawthorne Memorial Center 3901 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250)
  • ECMS-Inglewood
    • Culmination - June 14th at 4:30pm (ECMS-Inglewood, 3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303)
 
  E. Appreciations FYI Ken Deemer 2 m
VIII. Transition to Closed Session 7:37 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
IX. Closed Session 7:38 PM
  A. Conference with legal counsel – Existing Litigation Vote Alison Diaz 10 m
   
  • Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Maribel Ahumada, Parent on behalf of Student v. Environmental Charter Schools, OAH Case No. 2018010733.
 
X. Report Out of Closed Session 7:48 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Alison Diaz 2 m
XI. Closing Items 7:50 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Ken Deemer 1 m