Environmental Charter Schools

Finance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Friday June 14, 2024 at 8:30 AM PDT

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86746735522?pwd=eG5RVHI4ZURqeXBwVm1YS2E0WTk5Zz09

 

Alternative access:

  • Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
  • Call-in only: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 867 4673 5522, Passcode: 425920)

Finance Committee Members
Tracy Bondi - Chair
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Denise Berger
Bruce Greenspon

Mason Williams

Andrew Ellenbogen

Finance Committee Charter

  • Provides financial oversight for the organization
  • In conjunction with staff and other stakeholders, develops an annual operating budget and recommends for board approval
  • Monitors adherence to budget and recommends changes, if necessary
  • Sets long-term financial goals with funding strategies to achieve them
  • Considers special, unbudgeted requests and make recommendations to board
  • Develops multi-year operating budgets that tie to strategic plan
  • Ensures adequacy of financial controls and monitor for compliance
  • Ensure financial literacy of board members by providing training

Goals for 2023-2024

  • Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course for ECS Staff and/or New Board members
  • Ensure school budgets and cash flows are transparent, supportable, and sustainable
  • Support ECHSG's financial objectives in the facilities development and school startup process

 

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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Committee 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 8:30 AM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record attendance and guests   Tracy Bondi 1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Tracy Bondi 1 m
  C. Approve agenda Vote Tracy Bondi 1 m
     
II. Presentations from the Floor 8:33 AM
  A. Presentation 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 Committee (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 8:33 AM
  A. 23/24 EdTec Financial Update and 24/25 Budgets Presentation Discuss Dorothy Lee & Jair Ventura 45 m
     
  B. Discussion of potential 24/25 Finance Committee Goals Discuss Tracy Bondi
   

Current 23/24 goals for reference:

 

  • Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course for ECS Staff and/or New Board members
  • Ensure school budgets and cash flows are transparent, supportable, and sustainable
  • Support ECHSG's financial objectives in the facilities development and school startup process
 
IV. Consent Items A-E 9:18 AM
  A. Recommend board approval of private donations over $1,000 Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 3 m
     
  B. Recommend board approval of contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. ECMSG and ECMSI Pali Institute 6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contracts - Fall 2024
    1. Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.
  2. ECHSL - NatureBridge 12th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contract - Spring 2025
    1. Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.
  3. ECS - NWEA MAP Contract Renewal 2024-2025
    1. Staff analysis: educational testing software contract renewal. Per student costs flat from previous year.
  4. ECS - CCSA Membership Renewal 2024-2025
    1. Staff analysis: Annual California Charter Schools Association membership renewal. 3% increase to per student rate from previous year.
  5. ECS - PowerSchool Contract Renewal 2024-2025
    1. Staff analysis: Annual contract renewal for ECS's student information system. Increase of ~6% from previous year to account for inflationary pressures.
  6. ECS - College Bound 4 Kids Proposal - Camp ECMS 2024 (in arrears)
    1. Staff analysis: contract cost within 24/25 ELO-P budget. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.
 
  C. Recommend board approval of check registers and credit card statements Vote 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.

 

 
  D. Recommend board approval of 2024-2025 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution Vote Tracy Bondi
   

2024-2025 Education Protection Act 

 

 
  E. Recommend board approval of Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools Annual Report FY24 Vote Tracy Bondi
     
V. Action Item 9:21 AM
  A. Recommend board approval of 24/25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G Vote Tracy Bondi & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 5 m
   
  • Attached in Discussion Items / Updates Item III.A
 
VI. Closing Items 9:26 AM
  A. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
  B. Adjourn Meeting Vote Tracy Bondi 1 m