Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday June 23, 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 | 222 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

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 

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

Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez (remote), LESD Representative, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Andrew Ellenbogen, Anthony Jowid, Kennedy Hilario, Mason Williams

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Dr. Denise Berger

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

LESD Representative

Guests Present

Albert Paredes (LESD representative), Cesar Delgado, Danielle Kelsick, Debra Washington (remote), Jair Ventura (EdTec) (remote), Jean Yang (EdTec) (remote), Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Tracy Bondi (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Dr. Betsy Hamilton called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Monday Jun 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Zena Fong made a motion to approve the agenda.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye

D.

Opener

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.

Dr. Denise Berger arrived.

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

Nick Darden from Environmental Educators United (EEU) gave public comment on the topic of ICE raids near ECS schools.

 

Environmental Educators United (EEU) members gave public comment on the topic of the collective bargaining agreement in progress between EEU and ECS in the following order: Lauren Pell, Kayla McCarley, Mike Leimbek, Holden Sonnenberg, Caitlin Krier.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update

In her second full board meeting as Superintendent, Danielle Kelsick presented an introduction and vision for the organization to the board.

B.

2025-26 Budgets Presentation for all ECS Schools

EdTec consultant Jair Ventura presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet:

 

FY26 Budget May Revise Highlights

 

  • 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%.
  • New funding for Student Support & PD Discretionary Block Grant legislatively cut by 2/3rds, however, not impacting ECS materially.
  • Deferral in June 2026 was cut in half, resulting in an expected deferral of $1.8B (about one third of monthly apportionment).

 

FY26 Budgets

 

  • The presentation covered the school budgets for the next fiscal year. Key points include a 2.3% COLA increase, projected enrollment increases for high schools, stable enrollment for middle schools, and various new state grants. The main driver for expense increases across schools is compensation and benefits. There was discussion about improving the presentation of financial variances to make them clearer for non-financial readers.

C.

2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plans Presentation for all ECS Schools

Director of Strategic Initiatives Jen Fenton presented the 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plans for all ECS schools. The presentation included the following sections: LCAP overview, ECS shared goals, overall successes and needs, site-specific academic growth and needs including ECMS-Gardena Differentiated Assistance, budget versus actual expenditures, and engaging partners.

IV. Public Hearing

A.

Public Hearing regarding the actions and expenditures proposed in each ECS schools' 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)

There were no public speakers present to provide public comment at this hearing.

V. Consent Items A-P

A.

Approve 5/15/2025 board meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 05-15-25.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

B.

Approve 6/20/2025 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance Committee Meeting on 06-20-25.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

C.

Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

D.

Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

E.

Approve contracts

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve contracts.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

F.

Approve 2025-26 Consolidated Application for each ECS schools as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 Consolidated Application for each ECS schools as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

G.

Approve 2025-26 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

H.

Approve Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools Annual Report FY25 as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools Annual Report FY25 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye

I.

Approve revised Independent Study Policy

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised Independent Study Policy.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

J.

Approve 2025 Triennial Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) Assessment Report and revisions to the ECS LSWP

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025 Triennial Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) Assessment Report and revisions to the ECS LSWP.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

K.

Approve calculation corrections to ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2025-26

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve calculation corrections to ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2025-26.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

L.

Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

M.

Approve 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

N.

Elect officers of the ECS corporation

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to elect officers of the ECS corporation.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent

O.

Approve 3-year board term renewals (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028) for the following members

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 3-year board term renewals (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028) for the following members.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye

P.

Approve 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

VI. Action Items

A.

Approve 2025-26 Local Accountability and Control Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 Local Accountability and Control Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent

B.

Approve 2025-26 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

C.

Approve 2025 California School Dashboard Local Indicators for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Zena Fong made a motion to approve 2025 California School Dashboard Local Indicators for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent

VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick expressed appreciation for the ECS staff's work in closing out the school year after an eventful semester and for board member Zena Fong for taking on the role of board vice president with her election at this board meeting.

VIII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn to closed session.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative left.

IX. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

In closed session, the Board voted to ratify the expulsion of Student #2025‑001, effective June 23, 2025, following the recommendation of the Expulsion Committee. The motion carried unanimously.

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah David