Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 6/20/2025 Finance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
C.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
D.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
E.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
F.
Approve 2025-26 Consolidated Application for each ECS schools as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
G.
Approve 2025-26 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools Annual Report FY25 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
I.
Approve revised Independent Study Policy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
J.
Approve 2025 Triennial Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) Assessment Report and revisions to the ECS LSWP
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
K.
Approve calculation corrections to ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2025-26
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
L.
Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
M.
Approve 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
N.
Elect officers of the ECS corporation
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
O.
Approve 3-year board term renewals (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028) for the following members
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
P.
Approve 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Approve 2025-26 Local Accountability and Control Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 2025-26 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
C.
Approve 2025 California School Dashboard Local Indicators for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
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.