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Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday August 1, 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

ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, President...............3 years June 30, 2025

Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary................ 3 years  June 30, 2026

Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2025
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................3 years June 30, 2026
Ms. Jenina Ramirez............................. ..3 years June 30, 2027
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 5 m
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:08 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 5:28 PM
  A. Teacher Assignment Monitoring Outcomes data report of School Year 2022-2023 FYI Sarah Jamieson 5 m
   
  • Teacher Assignment Monitoring Outcomes data report of School Year 2022-2023
  
  B. Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart Discuss Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 10 m
   
 
IV. Consent Items A-G 5:43 PM
  A. Approve 6/20/2024 board minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
   
 
     
  B. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. ECS - WestEd Reading Apprenticeship PD Renewal Contract
    1. Staff analysis: Annual teacher PD contract. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.
  2. ECS - WestEd Leading for Literacy PD Contract
    1. Staff analysis: professional development for teachers recommended by Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick.
  3. ECS - VNS Janitorial Services 2024-25 Renewal Contracts
    1. Staff analysis: janitorial costs are in line with 24/25 school budgets.
      1. ECHS-Lawndale
      2. ECMS-Gardena
      3. ECMS-Inglewood
      4. ECHS-Gardena
  4. ECHSL - VNS Maintenance 2024-25 Renewal Contract
    1. Staff analysis: Maintenance contract renewal for daytime services provided in conjunction with janitorial services. Maintenance costs costs are in line with 24/25 school budgets
  5. ECMSI Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program 2024-25 Renewal Contract
    1. Staff analysis: After-school contract renewal matching annually awarded ASES grant amount.
  6. ECMSG Boys & Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor After-School Program 2024-25 Renewal Contract
    1. Staff analysis: After-school contract renewal matching annually awarded ASES grant amount.
  7. ECHSG - On a Mission Youth Travel MOU - Fall 2024
    1. Staff analysis: Destination college tour service for ECHS-G 12th graders, transportation and activity costs are included. Recommendation to approve contract as primary college preparation expenditure.
  
  C. Approve 2024-25 Special Education provider renewal agreements Vote Dr. Shalene Wright / Jeremiah David
   

2024-25 SPED Provider Agreements/Rate Sheets - vetted by Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of SpEd and English Language Development

 

  
  D. Approve 2024-25 outdoor education trip proposals Vote Jeremiah David
   

ECHS-Lawndale

 

ECHS-Gardena

 

ECMS-Gardena

 

ECMS-Inglewood

 

  
  E. Approve 2024-25 ECS Employee Handbook Vote Sarah Jamieson & Jeremiah David
   
  • 2024-25 ECS Employee Handbook
    • Summary of changes 
      • As required by statute:
        • Added Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (p. 15): Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. The prevention of workplace violence is of utmost importance, and ECS will not tolerate any acts of violence or threats of violence in the workplace. The Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) outlines the procedures and responsibilities for preventing and responding to incidents of workplace violence. The WVPP addresses the hazards known to be associated with the four types of workplace violence as defined by Labor Code (LC) section 6401.9.
        • Added Leave for Reproductive Loss (p. 51): ECS will provide eligible employees up to 5 days of time off following a reproductive loss event defined as a failed adoption, failed surrogacy, miscarriage, stillbirth, and or an unsuccessful assisted reproduction.
      • Clarified 100% covered Medical/Dental/Vision HMO (p. 37): For full-time employee health benefits, removed distinctions for employees hired before August 1, 2018 and after August 1, 2018 and clarified fully employer paid benefits as 100% covered Medical/Dental/Vision HMO.
  
  F. Approve 2024-25 Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools Vote Tracy Bondi
   
 
  G. Approve revised 2024-25 Academic Calendars for all ECS schools Vote Danielle Kelsick
   

 

Revisions

 

  1. All ECS schools: correction to add two days to 12 Month Employee Break—matches historical norm—no changes to instructional minutes or days 
    1. Current: 12/19-1/1 ECS 12 Month Employee Break
    2. Revised: 12/17-1/1 ECS 12 Month Employee Break
  2. ECMSG: correction to add co-planning to one minimum day—no changes to instructional minutes or days
    1. Current: 10/4 Minimum Day (no Teacher PD)
    2. Revised: 10/4 Minimum Day for Co-Planning
  3. ECHSG: removed 3/13/2025 Priority Parent Conference Day
    1. Added 145 instructional minutes to Week of 3/10/2025
  4. Grades Due dates added to all Academic Calendars (Column L): informational only—no changes to instructional minutes or days

 

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 65,470 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 670 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 63,203 instructional minutes in 2024-25, exceeding the CDE's minimum requirement by 9,203 minutes
  
V. Action Items 5:46 PM
  A. Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2024-25 School Year (Board Policy 32188) Vote Sarah Jamieson 3 m
   
 
  B. Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need Vote Sarah Jamieson
   
 
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 5:49 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • September 19, 2024 at 5pm (in-person board meeting)
  
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Governance Committee - October 22, 2024 at 10:30am
  • Audit Committee - December 4, 2024 at 1:00pm
  • Finance Committee - January 24, 2025 at 8:30am
  
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 2 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 5:53 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 5:54 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

  
IX. Report Out of Closed Session 6:04 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
X. Closing Items 6:05 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m