Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday July 28, 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

ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, President...............3 years June 30, 2028
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................3 years  June 30, 2026
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2028

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, 2028

Mr. Mason Williams.................................3 years June 30, 2028

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

Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood

Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena 

Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Principal at ECHS-Gardena 
Ms. Jennifer Larsen, Principal at ECHS-Lawndale


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, Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Herb Sims (remote), Jenina Ramirez, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Remco Waller, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Dr. Denise Berger, Jenina Ramirez, Remco Waller

Guests Present

Cesar Delgado, Danielle Kelsick, Isabell Bañuelos, Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Lucia Bañuelos, Sarah Jamieson

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 Jul 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM.
Dr. Denise Berger arrived.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update: preview of 2025-26 Academic Priority Plan

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented an early preview of 2025-26 Academic Priority Plan, followed by a discussion and Q&A among the board members and staff.

Jenina Ramirez arrived.

IV. Consent Items A-H

A.

Approve 6/23/2025 board meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 06-23-25.
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

B.

Approve 7/15/2025 Governance Committee meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Governance Committee Meeting on 07-15-25.
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

C.

Approve contracts

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

D.

Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2025-26

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

E.

Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2025-26 School Year (Board Policy 32188)

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2025-26 School Year (Board Policy 32188).
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

F.

Approve 2025-26 ECS Employee Handbook

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2025-26 ECS Employee Handbook.
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Remco Waller
Absent

G.

Approve revised 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms.
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Remco Waller
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent

H.

Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment).
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Remco Waller
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

V. Action Items

A.

Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena

Remco Waller arrived.
Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye

B.

Elect prospective board member Remco Waller to ECS Board

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to elect prospective board member Remco Waller to ECS Board.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Remco Waller
Absent

C.

Accept board member resignation of Jenina Ramirez effective 7/28/2025

Mason Williams made a motion to accept board member resignation of Jenina Ramirez effective 7/28/2025.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Appreciations were shared by a number of board members and ECS staff for the many years of service from outgoing board member Jenina Ramirez.

VII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

Mason Williams made a motion to adjourn to closed session.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

VIII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Reporting out of closed seesion, the board voted to affirm the expulsion of Student #2025-001 following the appeal hearing. The motion carried with a vote of 8–0. Board members Williams, Cooper, Fong, Waller, Berger, Ellenbogen, Ramirez, Hilario voted No to the appeal. No members voted Yes to the appeal. Board member Sims abstained (having served on the Expulsion Committee at the expulsion hearing).

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Betsy Hamilton