Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday November 10, 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, Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Remco Waller, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Andrew Ellenbogen

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

LESD Representative

Guests Present

Albert Paredes (LESD Representative), Alison Diaz (remote), Amy Johnson, Andres de Dios, Ben West (CTA), Brandie Davis, Buncha Laohapanich, Carlos Franco, Charity Rock, Chloe Volz, Chorong Lee, Daniel Padilla, Danielle Kelsick, Danielle Marquez, Dave Trejo, Denise Hernandez, Dr. Beth Bernstein, Dr. Geneva Matthews, Dr. Melinda Grant, Dr. Shalene Wright, Elyse Magallanes, Emily Truong, Fabian Ponciano, Gerardo Alonzo, Holden Sonnenberg, Itan Morales, Jair Ventura (EdTec) (remote), Jean Yang (EdTec) (remote), Jen Fenton, Jen Larsen, Jennyfer Galvez-Reyes, Jeremiah David, Kamaiya Brown, Karina Gallegos, Kayla McCarley, Keeyan Ventura, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lilly Chase, Lucia Bañuelos, Michael Romero, Nick Darden, Paola Pilegio, Paola Pliego, Richard Dotson, Robert Escalante (remote), Sarah Jamieson, Shawn Hua, Tashanda Giles-Jones, Tracy Bondi (remote), Valerie Marquez

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 Nov 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

D.

Opener

The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in small groups for the purpose of getting to know each other.

Andrew Ellenbogen arrived.

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

The following speakers gave public comment on the topic of the collective bargaining agreement in progress between EEU and ECS in the following order: Danielle Marquez, Lauren Pell, Fabian Ponciano, Nick Darden, Andres de Dios, Kristen Donahue, Brandie Davis.

 

Charity Rock gave public comment on the topic of ECS as a trajectory-changing organization.

 

Jennyfer Galvez-Reyes gave public comment on the topic of EEU leadership and representation.

 

Tashanda Giles-Jones gave public comment on the topic of ECS's outdoor education program.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

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.

Review LACOE Instructional Program Reviews for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Danielle Kelsick reviewed the LACOE Instructional Program Reviews for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G with the ECS board.

C.

EdTec financial update

EdTec consultants Jair Ventura presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet. The presentation covered the budget forecast changes for the current 2025-26 school year. A robust discussion followed among the board members and ECS leadership on the topics of capital expenditures, cash flow and investments, and budget forecast changes

IV. Consent Items A-D

A.

Approve 9/15/2025 board meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 09-15-25.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye

B.

Approve private donations over $1,000

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

C.

Approve check registers and credit card statements

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

D.

Approve revised 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar

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

V. Action Item

A.

Accept LACOE Instructional Program Reviews for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

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

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.

LESD Representative left.

VII. Transition to closed session

A.

Adjourn to closed session

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

VIII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report out

Coming out of closed session, Board President Dr. Betsy Hamilton stated there was nothing to report out.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Betsy Hamilton