Environmental Charter Schools

ECS Board of Directors' Meeting

Date and Time

Monday September 24, 2018 at 5:00 PM PDT

Location

2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 / Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/147466498 Or Telephone: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 147 466 498)
ECS Board Members                                                           Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................2 years June 30, 2019
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............................................3 years  June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary.................................................3 years  June 30, 2020
Ms. Cathy Creasia..................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................2 year June 30, 2020
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. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS
Dr. Qiana O'Leary, Principal at ECMS - Gardena
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal-in-Residence  

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. (footnote Noguera).

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.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Anthony Jowid 5 m
   
  • Dr. Juan Santos, Lawndale Elementary School District (LESD) Assistant Superintendent of HR (attending as LESD board representative for current ECS board meeting)
 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Anthony Jowid 2 m
  C. Approve the Agenda Vote Anthony Jowid 2 m
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:09 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 5:09 PM
  A. CEO/COO Update FYI Alison Diaz 15 m
   
  • Accelerator interview process NYC
  • ECHS #2 facilities update
  • MCP bylaws update
 
  B. Principals Updates FYI School Principals 15 m
   
  • ECHS
  • ECMS-G slides are here
  • ECMS-I slides are here
 
  C. Financial Update FYI Dorothy Lee 10 m
   
  • EdTec financial update is here
  • ECHS August 2018 financials is here
  • ECMS-G August 2018 financials is here
  • ECMS-I August 2018 financials is here
 
  D. Development Update FYI Julie Vo 10 m
   
 
IV. Study Sessions 5:59 PM
  A. Strategic Priorities / Action Plan Discuss Alison Diaz & Farnaz Flechner 60 m
  B. Charter Petition Updates: Renewals and Material Revisions Discuss Alison Diaz & Farnaz Flechner 30 m
V. Approve Consent Items A-H 7:29 PM
  A. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes for August 20, 2018 Board Meeting Approve Minutes Anthony Jowid 2 m
     
  B. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes for June 25, 2018 Special Board Meeting Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
  C. Accept Minutes From the Following Committee Meetings Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes on June 13, 2018 is here
  • Governance Committee Meeting Minutes on August 13, 2018 is here
  • Finance Committee Meeting Minutes on September 21, 2018 is [link to be added]
 
  D. Accept August 2018 Check Register as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Farnaz Flechner
   
  • August 2018 check register is here 
 
  E. Accept July-September Private Donations Over $1000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Julie Vo
   
As recommended by Finance Committee, accept July-September Private Donations Over $1000.
  • Private donations list is here
 
  F. Approve FY 18/19 Contracts as Recommended by Finance Committee Vote Jeremiah David
   
1. UCLA Math Project (math professional development services at all ECS schools) - $22,080 expected annual cost. View proposal and contract here.
 
  G. Resolution to Certify and Approve State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant Agreement Vote Alayna Santos
   
  • ECHS has been awarded $460,269.00 (based on 75% of the submitted Prop 39 costs) by the State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants Program. View grant agreement here and board resolution here.
 
  H. Approve Candidates' Participation on the Following Board Committees Vote Jeremiah David
   
Updated ECS Board Committee Roster is here.
  • Equity & Diversity Committee
    • New members: Jenina Ramirez, Qiana O’Leary, Sabrina Johnson
 
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 7:31 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • ECS Board Meeting - November 26, 2018 at 5pm at ECHS Auxiliary Office
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Facilities Committee Meeting - October 10, 2018
  • Governance Committee Meeting - October 17, 2018
  • Academic Excellence Committee Meeting - November 15, 2018
  • Finance Committee Meeting - November 16, 2018
  • Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting - November 27, 2018
 
  C. Student Led Tours FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • Sign up for a tour here
    • Tues, October 2 @ 10am  at ECHS
    • Wed, October 17 @ 2pm at ECHS
 
  D. Upcoming Events FYI Alison Diaz 1 m
   
  • ECHS
  • ECMS-Gardena
  • ECMS-Inglewood
    • Student E. Kirkwood will be the keynote speaker at the October 4 NatureBridge Moving Mountains fundraiser! The ECS board and cabinet are invited to attend. More information here.
  • YM&C Brown Act & Conflict of Interest Workshops for board members - Wednesday, October 3, 2018. More information here.
 
  E. Appreciations FYI Anthony Jowid 1 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 7:36 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 7:37 PM
  A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Discuss 10 m
   
Title: Executive Director
 
  B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Discuss 10 m
   
Property: 2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Gardena, CA 90249
Agency negotiator: Alison Diaz, Farnaz Flechner
Negotiating parties: Calvary Baptist Church, Environmental Charter Schools
Under negotiation: Price, terms of payment
 
IX. Report Out of Closed Session 7:57 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Alison Diaz 2 m
X. Closing Items 7:59 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m