Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Monday April 20, 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: ECMS-Gardena (812 W. 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247) |
ECMS-Inglewood (3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303) | ECHS-Lawndale (16315 Grevillea Ave.
Lawndale, CA 90260) | ECHS-Gardena (2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249) | 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 | 13885 Dogleg Lane, Broomfield, CO 80023 | 601 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

 

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), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario, LESD Representative, Remco Waller, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Anthony Jowid, Mason Williams

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Kennedy Hilario

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Guests Present

Ben West, Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro (remote), Brandie Davis, Buncha Laohapanich, Carmen O'Connor, Cesar Delgado, Charity Rock, Danielle Kelsick, Danny Cristales (remote), Dave Trejo (remote), David Jonas, Dr. Howard Ho (LESD board representative), Dr. Shalene Wright, Isabell Bañuelos, Jen Fenton, Jennifer Larsen (remote), Jeremiah David, Kayla McCarley, Kristen Donahue, Lauren Pell, Lucia Bañuelos, Robert Escalante, Sarah Burger, Sarah Jamieson, Tracy Bondi (remote), Tulsi Patel

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 Apr 20, 2026 at 5:04 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the agenda.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
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: Kayla McCarley, Kristen Donahue, Charity Rock, Brandie Davis

Kennedy Hilario arrived.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

The following speakers gave public comments on agenda items: David Jonas, Lauren Pell, Buncha Laohapanich, Carmen O’Connor

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Superintendent update

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

 

  • ECHS-L recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School
  • ECS honored as a Catalyst Champion by Green Schools National Network  

Other updates included ECS Best Practice Sharing, Climate Survey Results (students and staff), and a review of Attendance Data.

B.

Informational Item - Public Disclosure of Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement with Environmental Educators United (EEU), CTA/NEA, Pursuant to Government Code § 3547.5

Board President Dr. Betsy Hamilton stated this is an informational item only for the agenda. The board will discuss this in full in closed session. No board action will be taken at this time.

IV. Consent Items A-F

A.

Approve 2/23/2026 board meeting minutes

Remco Waller made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 02-23-26.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

B.

Approve check registers and credit card statements

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

C.

Approve contracts

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

D.

Approve revised 2025-26 ECMS-I Academic Calendar

Remco Waller made a motion to approve revised 2025-26 ECMS-I Academic Calendar.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

E.

Approve updated ECS Student and Family Privacy Rights Policy

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

F.

Approve updated Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination and Bullying and UCP policies

Remco Waller made a motion to approve updated Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination and Bullying and UCP policies.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve 2026-27 ECS Academic Calendars

Zena Fong made a motion to approve 2026-27 ECS Academic Calendars.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

B.

Approve updated ECS Salary Schedules (Paraeducator & AP) Effective July 1, 2026

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve updated ECS Salary Schedules (Paraeducator & AP) Effective July 1, 2026.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

C.

Approve Environmental Science Pre-Apprenticeship Program and CAPS Partnership Agreement

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Environmental Science Pre-Apprenticeship Program and CAPS Partnership Agreement.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

D.

Approve Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

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

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS board meeting

B.

Next ECS committee meetings and events

C.

Appreciations

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

VII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to closed session

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

VIII. Closed Session

A.

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

Dr. Madhu Chatwani left.

B.

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code §54957.6)

IX. Report out of Closed Session

A.

Report out

Board President Betsy Hamilton reported out of closed session on Item A, Conference with Legal Counsel, and Item B, Conference with Labor Negotiators: 

 

The Board met in closed session with legal counsel regarding Environmental Educators United, CTA/NEA v. Environmental Charter Schools, Case No. LA-CE-6934-E and Case No. LA-CE-7156-E. No reportable action was taken.


The Board met in closed session regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement with Environmental Educators United. The Board voted to ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement as presented: 8 yes, 0 abstained, 0 no (correction from oral statement of 7 yeses).

X. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to closed session

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

XI. Report out of Closed Session

A.

Report out

Reporting out of closed session on Item A, Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Board President Betsy Hamilton stated there was nothing to report out.

XII. Action Item

A.

Approve Superintendent Compensation for 2026-27

Tabled.

XIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Herb Sims made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah David