Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Monday June 22, 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 | 1 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | 179 Daylesford Blvd, Berwyn, PA 19312
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 Rosario 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, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Remco Waller (remote), Zena Fong
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo (remote), Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro (remote), Dr. Geneva Matthews (remote), Dr. Shalene Wright (remote), Jair Ventura (remote), Jane Wyche-Jonas, Jen Fenton, Jennifer Larsen (remote), Jeremiah Rosario David, Kimberly Harbin (remote), Lauren Pell (remote), Lucia Bañuelos, Remco Waller (remote), Robert Maxwell, Sarah Jamieson, Tracy Bondi (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
ELA Program Roadmap
ELA Specialist Jane Wyche-Jonas presented the ELA Program Roadmap slides, providing an overview of the ELA Program at ECS for grades 6-12: 3-year plan with focus on reading, writing, and interventions.
B.
Vertex Education Financial Update and 2026-27 Budgets Presentation
Vertex Education consultant Anita Amoh presented the Financial Update slides in the board packet. The presentation covered the final budget forecast changes for the current 2025-26 school year with operating income comparison, forecast changes for each school, CapEx impact on operating income, cash flow and investments, financial covenants (debt service ratio and days cash on hand), and proposed 2026-27 school budgets, followed by a full discussion among the board members and ECS leadership.
C.
2026-27 Local Control and Accountability Plans Presentation for all ECS Schools
Director of Strategic Initiatives Jen Fenton presented the 2026-27 Local Control and Accountability Plans for all ECS schools. The presentation included the following sections: LCAP overview, ECS shared goals, highlights, CA Dashboard results including CAASPP, continuous improvements, Budget Overview for Parents, budgeted expenditures vs. actual expenses, and progress towards renewal.
IV. Public Hearing
A.
Public Hearing regarding the actions and expenditures proposed in each ECS schools' 2026-27 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)
There were no public speakers present to provide public comment at this hearing.
V. Consent Items A-N
A.
Approve 5/18/2026 special board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 2026-27 Consolidated Application for each ECS school
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
C.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
D.
Approve Special Education Provider Master Contracts 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
E.
Approve 2026-27 ECS Employee Handbook
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
F.
Approve revised 2026-27 ECHS-G Academic Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
G.
Approve revised 2025-26 Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
H.
Approve 2026-27 Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
I.
Elect officers of the ECS corporation
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
J.
Approve 3-year board term renewals (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029) for the following members
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
K.
Approve 2026-27 ECS Board Committees & Terms
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
L.
Accept resignation of board member Dr. Madhu Chatwani effective 6/30/2026
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
M.
Approve 2026-27 Education Protection Act Plan and Resolution
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
N.
Approve private donations over $1,000
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Approve 2026-27 Local Accountability and Control Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 2026-27 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
C.
Approve 2026 California School Dashboard Local Indicators for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS board meeting
B.
Next ECS committee meetings and events
C.
Appreciations
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick expressed appreciation for outgoing board member Dr. Madhu Chatwani, who will have completed 6 years of service on the ECS board upon her resignation effective date.
VIII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to closed session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
IX. Report out of Closed Session
A.
Report out
Board member Anthony Jowid reported out of closed session: specific to the Superintendent's Compensation, the board of directors approved by majority vote a Superintendent base salary of $250,000 for 2026-2027, effective July 1, 2026. This adjustment positions ECS for a midsize charter network operating in a very high cost of living market of peers most comparable in operating size and context. Based on the EdFuel 2025 National Charter Compensation and Benefits Study, this decision reflects the board's commitment to the same fair, competitive, and transparent compensation standard applied to teachers and school site staff this year, and is consistent with ECS historical practice of aligning superintendent pay to meet market benchmarks.
X. Action Item
A.
Approve Superintendent Compensation for 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Abstain
|
| LESD Representative |
Abstain
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
XI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Lauren Pell gave public comment on the agenda item: 2026-27 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G