Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday September 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

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

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

Mr. Remco Waller....................................3 years June 30, 2028
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position  

ECS Staff   
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Superintendent

Ms. Lucia Bañuelos, Deputy Superintendent of Schools

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 (remote), Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Herb Sims, Remco Waller

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Guests Present

Andres de Dios, Angel Maldonado, Anthony Gonzalez, Caitlin Krier, Danielle Kelsick, Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Dr. Howard Ho (LESD board representative), Dr. Melinda Grant, Dr. Shalene Wright, Elizabeth Stenbakken, Emily Truong, Isabell Bañuelos, Jair Ventura (EdTec) (remote), Jean Yang (EdTec) (remote), Jeremiah David, Jessica Diaz, Kamaiya Brown, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lucia Bañuelos, Nick Darden, Sabrina Acosta, Sara Werner, Stephanie Paez, Tracy Bondi (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Zena Fong called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Monday Sep 15, 2025 at 5:04 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

D.

Opener

The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in groups of two for the purpose to get to know one another.

Dr. Madhu Chatwani arrived.

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

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: Dr. Melinda Grant, Andres de Dios, Caitlin Krier, Sara Warner, Lauren Pell.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

C.

Public hearing regarding sufficiency of instructional materials for 2025-26 for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

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

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Superintendent Update slides, followed by a discussion and Q&A among the board members and staff.

B.

ECHSG school update

ECHS-Gardena Principal Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro presented the final 2 slides of the Superintendent Update slides which related to ECHS-G's priorities for the school year, followed by a discussion and Q&A among the board members and staff.

C.

EdTec finance update

EdTec consultants Jair Ventura and Jean Yang presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet. The presentation covered the unaudited actuals for the previous 2024-25 school year. A robust discussion followed among the board members covering enrollment issues at ECHS-Gardena, net income, fund balance, debt coverage ratio and cash on hand requirements, among other matters.

IV. Consent Items A-H

A.

Approve 7/28/2025 board meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 07-28-25.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

B.

Approve private donations over $1,000

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

C.

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
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

D.

Approve Parent-Student Handbooks for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Parent-Student Handbooks for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

E.

Approve revised ECS Financial Policies for FY26

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised ECS Financial Policies for FY26.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Remco Waller
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

F.

Approve revised 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar

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

H.

Approve Board Resolution No. 2025-01 - Sufficiency of Instructional Materials for 2025-26

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Board Resolution No. 2025-01 - Sufficiency of Instructional Materials for 2025-26.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Remco Waller
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G

Mason Williams made a motion to approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, 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
Absent
Herb Sims
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

B.

Approve LACOE Governance Review of SY 2024-25

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve LACOE Governance Review of SY 2024-25.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Herb Sims
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Appreciations were briefly shared among ECS leadership and board members.

VII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

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

VIII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Coming out of closed session, Board Vice President & acting board chair Zena Fong stated there was nothing to report out.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Remco Waller
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah David