Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday May 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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 | 1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166
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. Danielle Kelsick, Superintendent
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.
Directors Present
Andrew Ellenbogen (remote), Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, LESD Representative, Mason Williams
Guests Present
Caitlin Krier, Danielle Kelsick, Dorothy Lee (EdTec) (remote), Dr. Shalene Wright, Isabell Bañuelos, Jair Ventura (EdTec) (remote), Jeremiah David, Kayla McCarley, Lauren Pell, Tracy Bondi (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
Caitlin Krier from Environmental Educators United (EEU) gave public comment on the topic of the collective bargaining agreement in progress between EEU and ECS.
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
None.
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick provided updates on school academic testing underway, leadership transitions including her own promotion to Superintendent and Lucia Bañuelos' promotion to fill the ensuing Deputy Superintendent vacancy, upcoming charter renewals, and academic initiatives, including the implementation of reading apprenticeship as the vehicle for the critical thinking priority.
B.
EdTec financial update
EdTec consultant Jair Ventura presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet:
- 2024-25 budget forecast changes
- ECHS-Lawndale: Operating Income decreased by $54k
- ECMS-Gardena: Operating Income decreased by $48k
- ECMS-Inglewood: Operating Income decreased by $100k
- ECHS-Gardena: Operating Income decreased by $184k
- FY26 State Budget was reviewed after the release of the CA Governor's May Revise budget. The estimated Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for ECS's K-12 state funding is reduced from 2.43% to 2.3%.
IV. Consent Items A-H
A.
Approve 2/27/2025 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
B.
Approve private donations over $1,000
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
C.
Approve check registers and credit card statements
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
D.
Approve Danielle Kelsick as authorized signer for Beneficial State Bank accounts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
E.
Approve closure of Comerica bank account
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
F.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
G.
Approve revised ECS Expulsion Hearing Committee Guidelines
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
H.
Approve ECS/MCP & LLCs Tax Returns (Forms 990 and 199)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve ECS Academic Calendars 2025-26
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
C.
Appreciations
Appreciations were shared among the ECS board and staff in attendance.
VII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
VIII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
The board returned from closed session with nothing to report out.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in groups of two or three for the purpose to get to know one another.