Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
| 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
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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.
VII. Transition to closed session
A.
Adjourn to closed session
| 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
| 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
|
The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in small groups for the purpose of getting to know each other.