Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Monday December 1, 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: 3011 Elm Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | 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. Denise Berger (remote), Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams (remote), Remco Waller, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Andrew Ellenbogen
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
Dr. Denise Berger, LESD Representative, Mason Williams
Guests Present
Albert Paredes (LESD Representative), Alison Diaz, Angel Maldonado (CTA), Angie Gutierrez, Anthony Gonzalez, Caitlin Krier, Cesar Delgado, Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, Denise Hernandez, Dr. Geneva Matthews, Dr. Shalene Wright, Jair Ventura, Jean Yang, Jen Fenton, Jen Larsen, Jennica Tibbetts, Jeremiah David, Joe Batt, Katie Keller, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lillian Chase, Lucia Bañuelos, Sabrina Acosta, Sarah Burger, Sarah Jamieson, Shawn Hua, Tracy Bondi (remote), Tulsi Patel
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
ECS employees Lauren Pell, Kristen Donahue, and Sarah Burger gave public comment.
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.
EdTec financial update
EdTec consultants Jair Ventura and Jean Yang presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet. The presentation covered budget forecast changes for the current 2025-26 school year, CapEx impact on operating income, cash flow and investments, debt coverage ratios, and First Interim financials, followed by a discussion among the board members and ECS leadership.
IV. Consent Items A-C
A.
Approve 11/10/2025 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
B.
Approve revised 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Board Resolution No. 2025-02 - Withdrawing from Membership in SELF Insurance
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve First Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
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
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
VIII. Closed Session
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9)
B.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code §54957.6)
IX. Report out of Closed Session
A.
Report out
Coming out of closed session, Board Vice President Zena Fong stated there was nothing to report out.
X. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in small groups for the purpose of getting to know each other.