Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday August 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM PDT

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09
 
OR 
 
Dial-In: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043

 

Two-way teleconference locations: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 | 409 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | 402 Alpine Street, Pasadena, CA 91106 | 14407 Larch Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 | 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 | 4161 W 147th St., Lawndale, CA 90260

ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President..................3 years June 30, 2025

Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Vice President.........3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary....................3 years  June 30, 2026
Ms. Zena Fong............................................3 years June 30, 2026
Ms. Jenina Ramirez....................................3 years June 30, 2024
Dr. Madhu Chatwani..................................3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Kennedy Hilario....................................3 years June 30, 2026

Mr. Herb Sims.............................................3 years June 30, 2025

Mr. Mason Williams....................................3 years June 30, 2025
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position      

ECS Staff   
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Superintendent
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction

Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance

Mr. Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance and Operations

Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources

Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Lucia Bañuelos, Principal at ECHS-Lawndale
Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena
Dr. Cindy Guardado, Principal at ECHS-Gardena  

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   Anthony Jowid 1 m
   
 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Anthony Jowid 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m
     
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:03 PM
  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. Discussion Items / Updates 5:03 PM
  A. ECHS-Lawndale Update FYI Lucia Bañuelos & Danielle Kelsick 10 m
   
  • ECHS-Lawndale Update
 
IV. Public Hearing 5:13 PM
  A. Public Comment: Revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan FYI Jennifer Fenton & Jeremiah David 10 m
     
V. Consent Items A-G 5:23 PM
  A. Approve 6/22/2023 board meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 2 m
     
     
  B. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. WestEd Reading Apprenticeship PD Contract
    1. Staff analysis: Annual teacher PD contract. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.
  2. KC Fabiero Data Consulting Agreement - Fall 2023
    1. Staff analysis: data consulting services including but not limited to: providing data deliverables (standardized testing, site-based assessments, grade book data, climate, etc.), PD collaboration with Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, compliance reports such as WASC, LCAP, SPSA, onboarding supports for the new Director of Student Services, and coordinating services with Ensemble.
  3. ECMS-Inglewood Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program Contract
    1. Staff analysis: After-school contract renewal matching annually awarded ASES grant amount
  4. ECMS-Gardena Boys & Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor After-School Program Contract
    1. Staff analysis: After-school contract renewal matching annually awarded ASES grant amount
 
  C. Approve 2023-2024 ECS Employee Handbook Vote Sarah Jamieson & Jeremiah David
   
  • 2023-2024 ECS Employee Handbook
    • Summary of changes:
      • Added sections on religious accommodation and other accommodations (p.10)
      • Added cyberbullying prohibition (p.15)
      • Removed Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act section (originally p.20)
      • Revised and condensed stipend policy details (p.24)
      • Combined leaves of absences into one section (p.42-56)
      • Added sections on inclement weather and emergency conditions (p.61-62)
 
  D. Approve Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools Vote Tracy Bondi
     
  E. Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan Vote Jennifer Fenton & Jeremiah David
   
  • Attached in previous agenda item IV.A
 
  F. Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment) Vote Jeremiah David
   
 
  G. Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024 Vote Danielle Kelsick
   
  • Revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
    • The team revised the bell schedule to meet better address stakeholder feedback about the length of the school day. 
    • The result is a reduction in the total number of instructional minutes from 66,325 to 65,610. 
    • The school's total number of instructional minutes still exceeds the CDE's minimum requirement by 810 minutes.
    • The adjusted total instructional minutes exceeds the figure for last year.
 
VI. Action Items 5:25 PM
  A. Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2023-24 School Year (Board Policy 32188) Vote Sarah Jamieson 2 m
     
  B. Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need Vote Sarah Jamieson 2 m
     
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 5:29 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • September 21, 2023 at 5pm (in-person board meeting)
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Finance Committee - September 15, 2023 at 8:30am
  • Facilities Committee - September 27, 2023 at 4:30pm
  • Governance Committee - October 10, 2023 at 10:30am
  • Audit Committee - December 6, 2023 at 1:00pm
 
VIII. Transition to Closed Session 5:31 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m
IX. Closed Session 5:32 PM
  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Discuss Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 10 m
   

Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1

 
X. Report Out of Closed Session 5:42 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Anthony Jowid 1 m
XI. Closing Items 5:43 PM
  A. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
  B. Adjourn Meeting Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m