Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
B.
Approve private donations over $1,000
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
C.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
D.
Approve Parent-Student Handbooks for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
E.
Approve revised ECS Financial Policies for FY26
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
F.
Approve revised 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
G.
Approve revised 2025-26 ECS Board Committees & Terms
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
H.
Approve Board Resolution No. 2025-01 - Sufficiency of Instructional Materials for 2025-26
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
V. Action Items
A.
Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
B.
Approve LACOE Governance Review of SY 2024-25
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in groups of two for the purpose to get to know one another.