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Environmental Charter Schools

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday November 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM PST

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09

OR 

Dial By Phone: Phone #: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043#

 

Two-way Teleconference Locations: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 / 3011 Elm St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 2001 Palm Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 3513 Walnut Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 1943 Yosemite Rd, Berkeley, CA 94707 / 2741 Peachwood Cir, Corona, CA 92882 / 14407 Larch Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 / 4163 Sea View Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90065 / 9607 Kirkside Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 / 4161 W 147th St, Lawndale, CA 90260

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 2:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record attendance and guests   Jenina Ramirez 1 m
   
  • Dr. Lisa Cooper, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources (https://www.lawndalesd.net/departments/human-resources)
  
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Jenina Ramirez 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Jenina Ramirez 1 m
   
 
  D. Opener Discuss Jenina Ramirez 5 m
II. Presentations from the Floor 2:08 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 2:28 PM
  A. Presentation on California Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) Phase 2 grants for ECHSG, ECHSL and ECMS-I Discuss Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jeremiah David 20 m
   

 

Funding Background:

The California School Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency (CalSHAPE/AB841) Program provides funding for the improvement of air quality and plumbing in schools while maximizing energy efficiency across ECS facilities.

Three of our four campuses have been awarded grants from CalSHAPE specifically allocated for HVAC replacement as follows:

 

  • ECHSG: $1,200,000
  • ECHSL: $430,000
  • ECMSI: $820,000

 

Special Note: 

ECMSG did not receive CalSHAPE Phase 2 funding due to differences in the utility service areas. ECMSG is within the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) service area, while our other schools fall under Southern California Edison. Edison expedited collaboration with CalSHAPE to release Phase 1 funds, allowing three of our schools to complete the initial application process and apply for Phase 2 funding before deadlines. LADWP’s delay unfortunately did not align with CalSHAPE’s Phase 2 funding availability. If CalSHAPE reopens in the future, ECMSG will seek funding to make improvements.  

Fortunately, the mechanical systems at ECMSG are newer and require fewer changes than those at our other schools, so the lack of CalSHAPE funding will have a minimal impact. Accordingly, ECMSG’s eligibility for funding was limited, and any awarded amount would likely have been smaller.

  
IV. Action Item 2:48 PM
  A. Approve California Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) Phase 2 for ECHSG, ECHSL and ECMSI Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jeremiah David 5 m
   

Recommended Action: Approve CalSHAPE Grant Agreements, Board Resolutions and corresponding service agreements to meet grant goals for each school being awarded CalSHAPE Funding.

    

  1. Grant agreements 
    1. ECHS Gardena CalSHAPE Grant Agreement (Previously adopted 9/19/2024)
    2. ECMS Inglewood CalSHAPE Grant Agreement
    3. ECHS Lawndale CalSHAPE Grant Agreement
  2. Governing Body Resolutions
    1. ECHS Gardena’s CalSHAPE Governing Body Resolution (Previously adopted 9/19/2024)
    2. ECMS Inglewood’s CalSHAPE Governing Body Resolution
    3. ECHS Lawndale’s CalSHAPE Governing Body Resolution
  3. MBA Mechanical Service Agreements
    1. ECHS Gardena Service Agreement
    2. ECMS Inglewood Service Agreement
    3. ECHS Lawndale Service Agreement

 

Proposed Rationale and Determinations: The Board hereby makes the following determinations regarding the project.

 

  1. Accepting the grants is in the best interest of ECS and will support healthier learning environments for students and staff.
  2. The projects will reduce the thermal, electrical, and other energy that ECS schools would otherwise consume, promoting both fiscal and environmental sustainability.
  3. The anticipated costs for services under MBA’s service agreements will be less than or equal to the grant award.
  4. MBA, the proposed vendor has the expertise to complete the work as they worked in concert with ECS (after winning the CalSHAPE Phase 1 bid process) to complete Phase 1 which included studying and evaluating the current systems.  Moreover, MBA worked with us to secure the funding to complete the proposed Phase 2 CalSHAPE work and their recommendations are the basis for which Phase 2 grants were awarded.
  
  B. Approve revised 2024-25 board & committee calendar Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jeremiah David 3 m
   
 
V. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 2:56 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • December 12, 2024 from 5-7pm (in-person)
  
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Audit Committee - December 4, 2024 at 1:00pm
  • Finance Committee - June 13, 2025 at 8:30am
  
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
VI. Closing Items 2:59 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Jenina Ramirez 1 m