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Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday May 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM PDT

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 / 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045

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

Mr. Andrew Ellenbogen.................................3 years June 30, 2026
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 SpEd and English Language Development
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   Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
   
 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 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).

  
  B. Presentations from the floor on agenda items FYI 10 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).

  
III. Discussion Items / Updates 5:34 PM
  A. EdTec financial update FYI Dorothy Lee & Jair Ventura 20 m
   
 
  B. ECMS-G school update FYI Dave Trejo / ECMS-G staff 20 m
IV. Consent Items A-K 6:14 PM
  A. Approve 1/25/2024 board meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
   
 
     
  B. Approve 3/6/2024 Audit Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
   
 
     
  C. Approve 4/26/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
   
 
     
  D. Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Jen Fenton
   
 
  E. Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi / Sarahai Garibay
   

ECS management certification: ECS management attests to having reviewed and approved the individual line items on the attached check registers and credit card statements in accordance with current ECS Financial Policies.

 

  
  F. Accept ECS Tax Return Forms 990 and 199 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   

Prepared by accounting firm CliftonLarsenAllen, reviewed by ECS management

 

  
  G. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. ECMS-I multifunction outdoor gym equipment (playground equipment replacement) - Davebang Associates contract

Staff analysis: Multifunction outdoor gym equipment to replace existing playground spinner equipment for increased safety and utility. Capital expenditures cost within ECMS-I's facilities budget.

 

   2. Revolution Foods vended student meals contract 24/25

 

Staff analysis: Based on the scoring criteria, the Revolution Foods proposal on rated the highest across all proposals. The criteria used were:

 

  • Cost Effectiveness of Proposal
  • Result from food tasting event (food must be served from actual prior month’s menu)
  • Quality of 3 reference checks (feedback on ongoing food quality/service)
  • Environmentally conscious packaging and delivery
  • Equipment and operational compatibility with ECS individual school site(s)

 

     3.  NatureBridge 12th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contract - Spring 2025

 

Staff analysis: contract costs are within each school outdoor education budget.

 

As recommended by Finance Committee:

 

   4. FY24 E-Rate Program-awarded GigaKOM computer network upgrade contract

 

Staff analysis: contract for networking equipment and installation upgrades as awarded through E-Rate program. Upgrades are for all 4 school sites to improve to state of the art network specifications. Contract costs reflected are before E-Rate discount of 85% from the vendor's costs. Contract is contingent on ECS board approval.

 

    5. Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) contract

 

Staff analysis: contract cost is 100% funded and contingent on award of Golden State Pathway grant. CAPS will collaborate with Environmental Charter High School – Gardena (ECHS-G) and Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale (ECHS-L) to develop a green career pathway program for 9–12 grades in accordance with the Golden State Pathways Implementation grants for each campus, if awarded.

 

As recommended by Audit Committee: 

 

    6. Christy White 3-year auditor contract (approval in arrears)

 

Staff analysis: Based on the scoring criteria, the Christy White proposal on rated the highest across all proposals. The criteria used were:

 

  • Proposal Completeness = how thorough the proposal's information is toward meeting audit and tax services needs
  • Vendor Information / References = information within or outside the proposal on the auditor's company background, operational and financial health, etc.
  • Prior Relevant Experience = information within or outside the proposal that indicates the auditor's experience working with K-12 public school/charter school clients.
  • Costs = annual costs as stated in the proposal
  • Demonstrated Quality of Work = information within or outside the proposal on the auditor's actual or demonstrable work product

The Audit Committee reviewed the proposal scoring and ultimately decided for the ECS staff recommendation to move forward with the Christy White proposal.

  
  H. Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar Vote Jeremiah David
   
  • Revised Board & Committee Calendar
    • Canceled: Facilities Committee meeting on 4/24/2024
    • Changed: Finance Committee meeting from 3/8/2024 to 4/26/2026, board meeting from 3/14/2024 to 5/2/2024
  
  I. Accept 2022-23 Annual Reports to LACOE for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G Vote Jeremiah David, Jen Fenton & Robert Maxwell
   
 
  J. Approve updated Safe Schools Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G Vote Jeremiah David
   
 
  K. Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024 Vote Danielle Kelsick
   
  • Revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
    • Year by Year Comparison
    • The team found a calculation error in instructional minutes on 12/15/23, which undercounted actual instructional minutes by 15.
    • The team created a special testing schedule for students in Grade 11 to test in the morning and be dismissed at 2:00 pm instead of 3:35 pm (4/30/24-5/3/24)
    • The result is a change in the total number of instructional minutes previously approved by the board:
      • From 65,610 minutes to 65,625 minutes for Grades 9-10
      • From 65,610 minutes to 65,245 minutes for Grade 11
    • The school's total number of instructional minutes still exceeds the CDE's minimum requirement
      • By 825 minutes for Grades 9-10
      • By 445 minutes for Grade 11
    • The adjusted total instructional minutes are comparable to last year's (see Year by Year comparison linked above).
  
V. Action Items 6:17 PM
  A. Approve Second Interim Financials for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi & Dorothy Lee 3 m
   
 
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:20 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • June 20, 2024 at 5pm (in-person board meeting)
  
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Governance Committee - June 4, 2024 at 10:30am
  • Finance Committee - June 14, 2024 at 8:30am
  
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 6:23 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 6:24 PM
  A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Discuss Dr. Betsy Hamilton 30 m
   

Title: Superintendent

  
  B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Discuss 15 m
   

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

  
IX. Report Out of Closed Session 7:09 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
  B. Oral Recommendation Regarding CEO's/ED's Salary and/or Fringe Benefits FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
   
 
  C. Ratification of Superintendent's Employment Agreement Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
X. Closing Items 7:12 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m