Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday June 20, 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

      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 10 m
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:13 PM
  A. Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items FYI 10 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 5:33 PM
  A. 23/24 EdTec Financial Update and 24/25 Budgets Presentation FYI Dorothy Lee & Jair Ventura 20 m
     
  B. ECHS-G school update FYI Dr. Cindy Guardado 10 m
   
  • ECHS-G school update
 
  C. 2024-25 Local Control and Accountability Plans Presentation for all ECS Schools FYI Jen Fenton & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 20 m
   
  • 2024-25 Local Control and Accountability Plans Presentation for all ECS Schools
 
IV. Public Hearing 6:23 PM
  A. Public Hearing regarding the actions and expenditures proposed in each ECS schools' 24/25 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) FYI Jen Fenton & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 10 m
     
V. Consent Items A-M 6:33 PM
  A. Approve 5/2/2024 board minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
     
     
  B. Approve 6/14/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
     
  C. Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Jen Fenton
     
  D. 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.

 

 
  E. Approve 2024-25 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   

2024-25 Education Protection Act 

 

 
  F. Approve Prop 28 Arts and Music in Schools Funding Annual Report as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
     
  G. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   

  1. ECHS-G Summer 2024 Maintenance Work Proposals - Competitive Selection Summary

       A. Staff analysis: contract costs are within school maintenance budget. Recommendation to proceed with the negotiated contracts for the ECHS-G summer maintenance work, ensuring the best value and effective use of resources. See details in Competitive Selection Summary (linked above). Total estimated cost: $121,645.

 

As recommended by Finance Committee

 

  2. ECMSG and ECMSI Pali Institute 6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contracts - Fall 2024

      A. Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.

 

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

      A. Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget.

 

  4. ECS - NWEA MAP Contract Renewal 2024-2025

      A. Staff analysis: educational testing software contract renewal. Per student costs flat from previous year.

 

  5. ECS - CCSA Membership Renewal 2024-2025

      A. Staff analysis: Annual California Charter Schools Association membership renewal. 3% increase to per student rate from previous year. CCSA membership (of which about 75% of charter schools in the state are members) provides the following crucial benefits to the ECS charter network:
- State-level charter advocacy in the Capitol, protecting schools and the health of the charter movement
- Renewal guidance and advocacy at the local level
- Forging strong connections between members through convening and networking opportunities 

 

  6. ECS - PowerSchool Contract Renewal 2024-2025

      A. Staff analysis: Annual contract renewal for ECS's student information system. Increase of ~6% from previous year to account for inflationary pressures.

 

  7. ECS - College Bound 4 Kids Proposal - Camp ECMS 2024 (in arrears)

      A. Staff analysis: contract cost within 24/25 ELO-P budget. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.

 
  H. Approve 2023-24 revised Board & Committee Calendar Vote Jeremiah David
   
 
  I. Elect Dr. Betsy Hamilton as board president Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   

To replace outgoing board president Anthony Jowid, elect board officer as follows: 

 

  • Dr. Betsy Hamilton as board president effective July 1, 2024
 
  J. Approve 3-year board term renewal (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027) for Jenina Ramirez Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
  • Renew board member Jenina Ramirez for 3-year board term (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027)
 
  K. Approve 2024-25 ECS Board Committees & Terms Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
     
  L. Approve 2024-25 ECS Board & Committee Calendar Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jeremiah David
     
  M. Approve revised ECHS-L 2023-24 Academic Calendar Vote Danielle Kelsick
   
 
VI. Action Items 6:36 PM
  A. Approve 2024-25 Local Accountability and Control Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G Vote Jen Fenton & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 5 m
   
  • Attached in Public Hearing IV.A above.
 
  B. Approve 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 5 m
   
  • Attached in Discussion Items / Updates III.A above
 
  C. Approve 2024 California School Dashboard Local Indicators for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G Vote Robert Maxwell & Jeremiah David 3 m
     
  D. Approve 2024-25 Academic Calendars for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G Vote Danielle Kelsick 3 m
   

2024-25 Academic Calendars

 

 

Summary

 

  • All 4 campuses will meet or exceed the CDE's minimum requirement of 175 instructional days in 2024-25.
    • ECMS-G and ECMS-I will have a total of 175 instructional days in 2024-25.
    • ECHS-L and ECHS-G will have 176 instructional days in 2024-25.
  • Both high schools will exceed the CDE's minimum requirement of 64,800 instructional minutes in 2024-25.
    • ECHS-L will have 65,146 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 346 minutes.
    • ECHS-G will have 66,325 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 525 minutes.
  • Both middle schools will exceed the CDE's minimum requirement of 54,000 instructional minutes in 2024-25.
    • ECMS-G will have 62,620 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 8,620 minutes.
    • ECMS-I will have 62,959 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 8,959 minutes
 
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:52 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • August 1, 2024 at 5pm (in-person board meeting)
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Finance Committee - September 13, 2024 at 8:30am
  • Facilities Committee - September 18, 2024 at 4:30pm
  • Governance Committee - October 22, 2024 at 10:30am
  • Audit Committee - December 4, 2024 at 1:00pm
 
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 2 m
VIII. Transition to Closed Session 6:56 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
IX. Closed Session 6:57 PM
  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Discuss 5 m
   

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

 
  B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code §54957.6) Discuss 5 m
   

Agency Designated Representative: Robert Escalante

 

Employee Organization: Environmental Educators United

 
X. Report Out of Closed Session 7:07 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
XI. Closing Items 7:08 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m