Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECMS-Inglewood

Date and Time

Monday January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Location

In-person location: ECMS-Inglewood, 3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303

 

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

Ms. Zena Fong, Vice President.............3 years June 30, 2026
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................3 years  June 30, 2026
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2028

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. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims (remote), Mason Williams, Remco Waller, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Kennedy Hilario, LESD Representative

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Mason Williams

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims

Guests Present

Andrea Foggy Paxton, Andres De Dios, Angel Maldonado, Austin Wester, Azanni Pruitt, Ben West, Brandie Davis, Buncha Laohapanich, Carmen B O'Connor, Cesar Delgado, Charity Rock, Danielle Kelsick, Danny Cristales, Dave Trejo, David Jonas, Dr. Geneva Matthews, Edward Lopez, Emily Truong, Fabian Ponciano, Han Morales, Holden Sonnenberg, Isabell Banuelos, Jasmin Arjon, Jen Fenton, Jennica Tibbetts, Jeremiah David, Jessica Diaz, Joe Batt, Karina Gallegos, Kayla McCarley, Kimberly Hurtado, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lilly Chase, Lisa Salgado, Lua Flores (student), Lucia Bañuelos, Maria Ramirez, Nicholas Darden, Nisha Sandhu, Philippe Schreckenberger, Sabrina Acosta, Sarah Burger, Sarah Jamieson, Stephanie Paez, Tashanda Giles-Jones, Vanessa Saucedo, Veronica B Castillo

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 Jan 12, 2026 at 5:10 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Remco Waller made a motion to approve agenda, changing the order of items in Section II. Presentations from the Floor by switching item A on non-agenda items with Item B on agenda items.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

D.

Opener

Mason Williams arrived.

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

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

The following speakers gave public comments on the ECMS-I renewal charter petition agenda item:

  • Philippe Schreckenberger
  • Lua Flores
  • Andrea Foggy-Paxton
  • Jasmine Arjon
  • Maria Ramirez

B.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

The following speakers gave public comments on non-agenda items:

  • Lauren Pell
  • Sabrina Acosta
  • David Jonas
  • Stephanie Paez
  • Charity Rock
  • Holden Sonnenberg
  • Nick Darden
  • Brandie Davis
  • Andres De Dios
  • Tashanda Giles-Jones

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Superintendent Update slides regarding two notable achievements recently awarded: 1) ECMS-Inglewood was officially recognized as a high-performing category charter school by the CDE and 2) ECHS-Lawndale and ECHS-Gardena each received $500k in restricted grant funding for their Environmental Leadership Pathway programs.

B.

ECMS-Inglewood renewal charter petition study session

The board and ECS staff engaged in a study session on the ECMS-Inglewood renewal charter petition using the board meeting slides and petition excerpt handouts.

C.

Publication of Fact-Finding Recommendations

The ECS board and staff read the fact-finding recommendation report published before ECS's Winter Break (after its release by the neutral party on 12/9/2025). The board resolved to discuss this report in closed session.

Herb Sims left.

IV. Consent Items A-F

A.

Approve 12/1/2025 board meeting minutes

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 12-01-25.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Herb Sims
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

B.

Approve 1/8/2026 Audit Committee meeting minutes

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Audit Committee Meeting on 01-08-26.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

C.

Approve contracts

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

D.

Approve School Accountability Report Cards of School Year 2024-25 for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Mason Williams made a motion to approve School Accountability Report Cards of School Year 2024-25 for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

E.

Approve Student Behavioral Health Referral Policy (based on CDE model policy)

Mason Williams made a motion to approve Student Behavioral Health Referral Policy (based on CDE model policy).
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye

F.

Approve updated ECS Salary Schedules to align with CA Minimum Wages Effective January 1, 2026

Mason Williams made a motion to approve updated ECS Salary Schedules to align with CA Minimum Wages Effective January 1, 2026.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve submission of ECMS-Inglewood charter petition renewal package to Los Angeles County Office of Education

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve submission of ECMS-Inglewood charter petition renewal package to Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Accept FY25 Annual Independent Audit Report (draft) as recommended by Audit Committee

Remco Waller made a motion to accept FY25 Annual Independent Audit Report (draft) as recommended by Audit Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS board meeting

B.

Next ECS committee meetings

C.

Appreciations

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

VIII. Closed Session

A.

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9)

B.

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code §54957.6)

Dr. Madhu Chatwani left.

IX. 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.

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Mason Williams made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah David