Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday September 4, 2019 at 5:00 PM PDT

Location

ECHS Auxiliary Office, 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) // Two-way Teleconference Locations: ECHS Auxiliary Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 / ECMS-Gardena (812 W. 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247) / ECMS-Inglewood (3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303) / ECHS (16315 Grevillea Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260)
ECS Board Members                                                           Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................3 years June 30, 2022
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............................................3 years June 30, 2022
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
Ms. Jenina Ramirez................................................................3 years June 30, 2021
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative............Rotating Position      

ECS Staff   
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Chief Academic Officer/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach
Ms. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Ms. KC Fabiero, 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

      Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Anthony Jowid 1 m
   
  • Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Lawndale Elementary School District (LESD) Superintendent (attending as LESD board representative for current ECS board meeting) - see bio here
 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Anthony Jowid 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m
   
  • Version en español está aquí
 
  D. Opener   Farnaz Flechner 5 m
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:08 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 5:08 PM
  A. CEO and CAO Update FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner and Danielle Kelsick 25 m
   
  • 5 Year Strategic Priorities is here
  • Board Benchmark Chart is here
 
  B. CAASPP Update FYI Danielle Kelsick 10 m
   
  • Presentation slides is here
 
  C. Principals Updates FYI ECS Principals 20 m
   
  • Attached in previous agenda item Section III.B.
 
  D. DOE Charter Schools Program Grant Update FYI Julie Vo & Alison Diaz 7 m
   
  • DOE Charter Schools Program Grant Update slides are here
 
  E. Inglewood Site Plan FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 8 m
   
  • Inglewood Site Plan is here
    • Referenced Inglewood letter is here
 
  F. Development Update FYI Julie Vo 5 m
   
  • Fund Development Update slides is here
 
  G. Financial Update FYI Dorothy Lee 10 m
   
  • Financial update slides is here
  • 18-19 financials UA vs last forecast for each school: ECMS-IECMS-GECHS
  • 18-19 Unaudited Actuals for each school: ECMS-IECMS-GECHS
  • 19-20 forecast for each school: ECMS-IECMS-GECHS
  • ECS financials includes ECHS2 actuals is here
 
  H. Annual College Commitment Report FYI ECHS Counselors 20 m
   
  • Annual College Commitment Report slides is here
 
IV. Study Session 6:53 PM
  A. Feedback on 5 Year Plan Discuss Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 20 m
   
  • 5 Year Strategic Priorities Plan included in Section III.A. agenda item.
 
V. Approve Consent Items A-O 7:13 PM
  A. Approve previous meeting minutes for June 3, 2019 board meeting Approve Minutes 1 m
     
  B. Approve previous meeting minutes for July 1, 2019 special board meeting Approve Minutes
     
  C. Accept minutes from the following committee meetings Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Finance Committee Meeting Minutes on May 31, 2019 is here
  • Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes on June 6, 2019 is here
 
  D. Approve May-July 2019 check registers as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • May 2019 check register is here
  • June 2019 check register is here
  • July 2019 check register is here
 
  E. Approve May-July 2019 private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Julie Vo
   
  • Private donations list is here
 
  F. Approve CMO fees allocation schedule as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   
  • Schedule of CMO budget shifts is here
 
  G. Approve updated Kinecta Liquid CD investment amount as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   
  • Current: $1.1M of ECHS General Account funding and $27,350 of Bruce Greenspon Scholarship Fund authorized for investment into Kinecta Liquid CD account.
  • Proposed: Authorize a total of up to $2M of ECHS General Account funding for investment into Kinecta Liquid CD account.
 
  H. Approve Geneva Matthews as check signer for ECMS-Inglewood as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • Proposed: Authorize ECMS-I Principal Geneva Matthews as check signer for ECMS-Inglewood General Fund Checking (3291), Petty Cash Checking (8657), and Credit Card Accounts at California Credit Union.
 
  I. Approve following FY 2019-2020 contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Naturalists at Large El Capitan State Beach contract (outdoor education trip for ECMS-I 8th grade) - recommended by Finance Committee
    • $27,000 expected annual cost - contract is here
  • V-N-S Janitorial Services contract (custodial services at ECHS) - recommended by Finance Committee
    • $72,072 expected annual cost - contract is here
      • Annual cost same as previous year's annual cost.
  • Ocean Institute Two Night Outdoor Science School (outdoor education trip contract for ECMS-I 7th grade)
    • $30,600 expected annual cost - contract is here
 
  J. Approve 19/20 Finance Committee goals Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • Maintain reporting of fund development goals.
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course.
  • Ensure adequate financing for the facilities development for all school sites.
  • Collaborate with Menlo Charter Properties to refinance loans at ECMS-Gardena and ECMS-Inglewood.
  • Ensure salary schedules and benefits are supportable and sustainable.
  • Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals
  • Integrate ECHS 2 financials into ECS financial reporting and processes.
 
  K. Approve 19/20 Governance Committee goals Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • Use the ECS Strategic Benchmark Chart to measure and support ECS' success.
  • Complete evaluations of Executive Director and self-evaluation of the ECS Board of Directors.
  • Recruit one additional board member to the ECS Board of Directors and strengthen board pipeline.
 
  L. Approve 19/20 Committee Memberships Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • 19/20 Committee Rosters is here
 
  M. Accept 18/19 LACOE Governance and Instructional Reviews for ECMS-I and ECMS-G Vote Farnaz Flechner
   
  • 18/19 LACOE Governance Reviews for ECMS-I and ECMS-G is here
  • 18/19 LACOE Instructional Reviews: ECMS-I and ECMS-G
 
  N. Approve El Dorado SELPA Policies Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
El Dorado SELPA Policies
  • Differential Graduation & Competency for SWDs is here
  • Guidelines for Physical Restraint of Students is here
  • Individual Education Evaluation is here
  • Transportation as a related service for SWDs is here
 
  O. Approve ECHS, ECMS-I, ECMS-G Parent Student Handbooks Vote ECS Principals
   
 
VI. Action Items 7:14 PM
  A. Approve LAUSD, IUSD, CVUHSD charter petitions for ECHS #2 Vote Alison Diaz 1 m
     
  B. Approve LAUSD, IUSD, CVUHSD budgets for ECHS #2 Vote Farnaz Flechner 3 m
     
  C. Approve Formation of Audit Committee Vote Tracy Bondi 2 m
  D. Approve ECHS HVAC Design & CM Support Services Proposal Vote Farnaz Flechner 2 m
   
  • ECHS HVAC Design & CM Support Services Proposal is here
    • $24,780 expected annual cost
 
VII. Adjourn to Closed Session 7:22 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 7:23 PM
  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Vote 10 m
   
  • Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: Number of potential cases unknown.
 
  B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION Vote 10 m
   
  • (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9).
    • Case name unspecified: Disclosure would jeopardize existing settlement negotiations.
 
IX. Report Out of Closed Session 7:43 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Anthony Jowid 4 m
X. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 7:47 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meetings FYI 1 m
   
  • October 24, 2019 at 5pm
  • December 12, 2019 at 5pm
  • February 13, 2020 at 5pm
  • April 16, 2020 at 5pm
  • June 9, 2020 at 5pm
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Facilities Committee - September 18, 2019 at 4:30pm
  • Governance Committee - October 8, 2019 at 10:30am
  • Finance Committee - October 18, 2019 at 8:30am
  • Equity and Diversity Committee - TBD
 
  C. Student Led Tours FYI Julie Vo 1 m
   
  • Next student-led tours at Environmental Charter High School (16315 Grevillea Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260)  
    • Wed, Sept 18 @ 2pm
    • Tues, Oct 1 @ 10am
    • Tues, Oct 15 @10am
    • Tues, Oct 29 @10am
    • Wed, Nov 13 @ 2pm
    • Wed, Nov 20 @ 2pm
    • Wed, Dec 11 @ 2pm
  • Sign up for a tour here
 
  D. Upcoming Events FYI Alison Diaz 2 m
   
  • ECHS
    • Career Day- November 1, 2019, Political Process Panel with Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. Theme will be Advocacy in Action
  • ECMS-Inglewood
  • ECMS-Gardena
 
  E. Appreciations FYI Anthony Jowid 2 m
XI. Closing Items 7:54 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m