Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday February 23, 2026 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 | 600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington , DC 20037

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, Herb Sims (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams (remote), Remco Waller, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Kennedy Hilario

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

LESD Representative

Guests Present

Albert Paredes (LESD Representative), Andres de Dios, Austin Wester, Ben West, Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Brandie Davis, Caitlin Krier, Cesar Delgado, Charity Rock, Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, David Jonas, Denise Hernandez, Edward Lopez, Elizabeth Stenbakken, Elyse Magallanes, Fabian Ponciano, Geneva Matthews, Holden Sonnenberg, Isabell Bañuelos, Jen Fenton, Jennica Tibbetts, Jennifer Larsen, Jeremiah David, Kayla McCarley, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lilly Chase, Lisa Salgado, Lucia Bañuelos, Mike Leimbek, Nicholas Darden, Robert Escalante, Sabrina Acosta, Sara Werner, Sarah Burger, Shalene Wright, Stephanie Paez, Tashanda Giles-Jones, Tulsi Patel, 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 Feb 23, 2026 at 5:07 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

The following speakers gave public comments on non-agenda items: Charity Rock, Tashanda Giles-Jones.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

The following speakers gave public comments on agenda items: 

 

Lauren Pell, Andres de Dios, Mike Leimbek, Kristen Donahue, David Jonas, Sarah Berger, Brandie Davis

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Superintendent Update slides including several recent notable achievements:

 

1) ECMS-I presented its petition to LACOE for renewal on 2/10/26

 

2) ECS Green Initiatives Featured on Association of California Schools Administrators (ACSA) website for Curriculum & Instruction

 

3) Superintendent Featured at California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Leaders of Color Celebration

B.

EdTec financial update

EdTec consultant Jair Ventura presented the EdTec Financial Slides in the board packet. The presentation covered budget forecast changes for the current 2025-26 school year with operating income comparison, CapEx impact on operating income, cash flow and investments, financial covenants (debt coverage ratio and days cash on hand), and Second Interim financials, followed by a discussion among the board members and ECS leadership.

Kennedy Hilario arrived.

C.

LCAP Mid-Year Report 2025-26

Director of Strategic Initiatives Jen Fenton and Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the midyear update slides on the Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) for all ECS schools. They covered the LCAP goals, actions, and expenditures for each school site and evaluated the progress of the sites in meeting these specified objectives. They also reviewed the Budget Overview for Parents, CA Dashboard Local Indicators, and progress toward renewal for each school site.

IV. Consent Items A-E

A.

Approve 1/12/2026 board meeting minutes

Remco Waller made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 01-12-26.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

B.

Approve private donations over $1,000

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

C.

Approve check registers and credit card statements

Tabled.

D.

Approve contracts

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

E.

Approve Comprehensive School Safety Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G

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

V. Action Items

A.

Approve Second Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G

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

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS board meeting

B.

Next ECS committee meetings

C.

Appreciations

Appreciations were shared among the ECS board and staff in attendance.

VII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to closed session

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

VIII. Report out of Closed Session

A.

Report out

Reporting out of closed session, Board President Dr. Betsy Hamilton stated that the ECS Board voted against the ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as presented (7 no, 2 abstained, 0 yes). The board gave direction to the management team to address the durational term in negotiations, which is a key basis of concern for the board.
 

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:01 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Betsy Hamilton