Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday September 19, 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, 13885 Dogleg Lane, Broomfield, CO 80023

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, 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. 2023-24 financial review and 2024-25 revised budgets FYI Dorothy Lee & Jair Ventura 20 m
     
  B. ECMS-Inglewood school update FYI Dr. Geneva Matthews 20 m
IV. Consent Items A-L 6:08 PM
  A. Approve 8/1/2024 board minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
     
     
  B. Approve 9/13/2024 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 Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
     
  F. Approve ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
   
 
  G. Approve 2024-25 Finance Committee Goals as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   

Recommended 2024-25 goals:

 

  • 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
 
  H. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. ECHSG - Boojum 10th Grade Outdoor Education Trip - Fall 2024
    1. Staff analysis: contract cost within school outdoor education budget. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.
  2. ECMSG - Boys & Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor Space Usage Agreement Renewal 2024-25
    1. Staff analysis: full year renewal for use of outdoor and indoor spaces by ECMS-G student and staff. Monthly renewal costs flat from previous contract. Approval in arrears proposed due to time being of the essence between board meetings.
  3. ECHS-Gardena school van (1) not to exceed $45,000
    1. Staff analysis: van cost is accounted for in school budget. Research on prices completed--see sample listing of vans for purchase. Van inventory is limited and availability regularly fluctuates.
  4. CalSHAPE Grant Agreement & Board Resolution for ECHS-Gardena
    1. Staff analysis: This California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) grant agreement and board resolution provides up to $1.25M in funding to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems at ECHS-Gardena. 
 
  I. Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar Vote Jeremiah David
     
  J. Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2024-25 Vote Jeremiah David
     
  K. Approve Parent-Student Handbooks Vote Jeremiah David & school principals
     
  L. Approve School Plans for Student Achievement Vote Jeremiah David
     
V. Action Item 6:11 PM
  A. Approve 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi & Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 3 m
   
  • Attached in Discussion Items / Updates III.A above
 
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:14 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
  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
 
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 6:17 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 6:18 PM
  A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Gov’t Code § 54956.9) Discuss 25 m
   

Name of Case: Environmental Educators United, CTA/NEA v. Environmental Charter Schools. Case No. LA-CE-6934-E.

 
  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 6:48 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
X. Closing Items 6:49 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m