Environmental Charter Schools
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Location
In-person location: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Two-way teleconference locations: 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 / 10807 E. 31st S, Independence, MO 64052 / 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 & Operations
Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of Student Services
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
Purpose | Presenter | Time | |||
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I. | Opening Items | 5:00 PM | |||
Opening Items
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A. | Record attendance and guests | Anthony Jowid | 1 m | ||
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B. | Call the Meeting to Order | Anthony Jowid | 1 m | ||
C. | Approve the agenda | Vote | Anthony Jowid | 1 m | |
D. | Opener | Discuss | Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 15 m | |
II. | Presentations from the Floor | 5:18 PM | |||
A. | Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items | FYI | 6 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). |
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B. | Presentations from the floor on agenda items | FYI | 6 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). |
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III. | Discussion Items / Updates | 5:30 PM | |||
A. | ECHS-Lawndale College Presentation and Alumni Tracking Update | FYI | ECHS-L Counselors | 20 m | |
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B. | A-G Improvement Grant Plan Presentation | FYI | Danielle Kelsick | 5 m | |
C. | 23/24 EdTec Financial Update and Revised Budgets Presentation | FYI | Dorothy Lee & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 15 m | |
D. | EEU and ECS Sunshine Proposals (informational items) | FYI | 2 m | ||
IV. | Action Item | 6:12 PM | |||
A. | Designate Labor Representative (Gov't Code § 54957.6.) | Vote | Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 2 m | |
Representative: Robert Escalante |
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V. | Consent Items A-I | 6:14 PM | |||
A. | Approve 8/3/2023 board meeting minutes | Approve Minutes | Jeremiah David | 3 m | |
B. | Approve 9/15/2023 Finance Committee meeting minutes | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
C. | Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee | Vote | Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | ||
D. | Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee | Vote | Tracy Bondi & Sarahai Garibay | ||
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E. | Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee | Vote | Tracy Bondi | ||
F. | Approve contracts | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
1. ECMSG - Pali Institute 6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip - Fall 2023 - Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.
2. ECMSG - Pali Institute 7th Grade Outdoor Education Trip - Fall 2023 - Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.
As recommended by Finance Committee
3. ECMSG - Pali Institute 8th Grade Outdoor Education Trip - Spring 2024 - Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.
4. ECS - PowerSchool Contract Renewal 2023-2024 - Staff analysis: student information system software contract renewal increase of ~6% from previous year to account for inflationary pressures.
5. ECS - SchoolZilla Contract Renewal 2023-2024 - Staff analysis: student data visualization software contract renewal per-student cost is flat from previous year.
6. ECHSL - NatureBridge 12th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contract - Fall 2023 - Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget. |
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G. | Approve Parent-Student Handbooks | Vote | ECS Principals | ||
H. | Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2023-2024 | Vote | Jeremiah David | ||
I. | Approve revised ECMS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024 | Vote | Danielle Kelsick | ||
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VI. | Action Item | 6:17 PM | |||
A. | Approve revised budgets for all sites as recommended by Finance Committee | Vote | Tracy Bondi & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 3 m | |
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VII. | Upcoming Dates/Announcements | 6:20 PM | |||
A. | Next ECS Board Meeting | FYI | Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 1 m | |
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B. | Next ECS Committee Meetings | FYI | Farnaz Golshani-Flechner | 1 m | |
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C. | Appreciations | Discuss | All Attendees | 2 m | |
VIII. | Transition to Closed Session | 6:24 PM | |||
A. | Adjourn to Closed Session | Vote | Anthony Jowid | 1 m | |
IX. | Closed Session | 6:25 PM | |||
A. | CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION | Discuss | 10 m | ||
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 |
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B. | CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code §54957.6) | Discuss | 10 m | ||
Agency Designated Representative: Robert Escalante
Employee Organization: Environmental Educators United |
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X. | Report Out of Closed Session | 6:45 PM | |||
A. | Report Out | FYI | Anthony Jowid | 1 m | |
XI. | Closing Items | 6:46 PM | |||
A. | Adjourn Meeting | Vote | Anthony Jowid | 1 m |