Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
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
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.
IV. Consent Items A-H
A.
Approve 6/23/2025 board meeting minutes
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
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
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
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)
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Remco Waller |
Absent
|
G.
Approve revised 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Remco Waller |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
H.
Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Remco Waller |
Aye
|
B.
Elect prospective board member Remco Waller to ECS Board
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Remco Waller |
Absent
|
C.
Accept board member resignation of Jenina Ramirez effective 7/28/2025
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
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
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.