Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
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.
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
B.
Approve private donations over $1,000
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
C.
Approve check registers and credit card statements
Tabled.
D.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
E.
Approve Comprehensive School Safety Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
V. Action Items
A.
Approve Second Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Board members Mason Williams and Andrew Ellenbogen participated remotely pursuant to the Brown Act “just cause/emergency circumstances” remote participation provisions.