Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday February 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST

Location

In-person location: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

 

Two-way teleconference locations: 723 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 | 13885 Dogleg Lane, Broomfield, CO 80023

ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, President...............3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................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 & English Language Development

Mr. Cesar Delgado, Director of Student Wellness
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. EdTec financial update FYI Dorothy Lee & Jair Ventura 20 m
     
  B. LCAP midyear update report Discuss Jen Fenton 20 m
     
IV. Consent Items A-H 6:08 PM
  A. Approve 12/12/2024 board meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David 3 m
     
     
  B. Approve check registers and credit card statements 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 ECS Financial Policies.

 

 
  C. Approve private donations over $1,000 Vote Jen Fenton
     
  D. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   
  1. ECMSG and ECHSG - Upward Bound School SELPA Master Contracts 2024-25 
    1. Staff analysis: SELPA Master Contracts for Nonpublic School (NPS) vetted by Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of SpEd and English Language Development.
  2. ECMSG - Switzer Learning Center SELPA Master Contract 2024-25
    1. Staff analysis: SELPA Master Contract for Nonpublic School (NPS) vetted by Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of SpEd and English Language Development.
  3. ECMSG and ECMSI Pali Institute 6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip Contracts - Fall 2025
    1. Staff analysis: contract costs are in line with previous Pali Institute contracts and within school outdoor education budgets.
 
  E. Accept ECHS-Gardena LACOE Instructional Program Review Vote Dr. Cindy Guardado & Danielle Kelsick
     
  F. Approve Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation MOA Amendment #1 to extend for an additional four years Vote Jeremiah David
   
 
  G. Approve updated Comprehensive School Safety Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G Vote Jeremiah David
   

Updates include: 1) emergency plan staffing details and contact phone numbers, 2) Instructional Continuity Plans (Section 4.8) in compliance with California Education Code 32282 (effective July 1, 2025).

 

 
  H. Approve revised ECS Academic Calendars 2024-25 Vote Danielle Kelsick
     
V. Action Items 6:11 PM
  A. Approve Second Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G Vote Dorothy Lee & Tracy Bondi 10 m
   
 
  B. Approve contracts for ECS Environmental Leaders Pathway Program Vote Alison Diaz 15 m
     
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:36 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 5pm
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Finance Committee - June 13, 2025 @ 8:30am
 
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 1 m
VII. Transition to Closed Session 6:39 PM
  A. Adjourn to Closed Session Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
VIII. Closed Session 6:40 PM
  A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (Gov’t Code § 54957) Discuss Superintendent Search Committee of ECS Board 20 m
   
  • Title of position to be filled: Superintendent of Environmental Charter Schools.
    • Discussion topics include:
      • Review of candidate qualifications.
      • Consideration of internal and external candidates.
      • Determination of finalist(s) for the position.
      • Discussion of effective appointment date and transition planning.
      • Preliminary review of proposed compensation and terms of employment.
 
  B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code §54957.6) FYI 5 m
   
  • Agency Negotiator: Dr. Betsy Hamilton
  • Unrepresented Employee: Superintendent
 
  C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Gov’t Code § 54956.9) Discuss 5 m
   

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

 
  D. 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 7:15 PM
  A. Report Out FYI Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m
  B. Appoint the selected candidate as Superintendent, effective on June 1, 2025. Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 2 m
  C. Ratification of Superintendent's Employment Agreement, effective June 1, 2025 Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 2 m
   
 
X. Closing Items 7:20 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dr. Betsy Hamilton 1 m