Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Monday July 27, 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
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, 2029
Dr. Denise Berger, ................................3 years June 30, 2029
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2028
Mr. Kennedy Hilario...............................3 years June 30, 2029
Mr. Herb Sims........................................3 years June 30, 2028
Mr. Mason Williams................................3 years June 30, 2028
Mr. Andrew Ellenbogen..........................3 years June 30, 2029
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 Development & Communications
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 up to 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish). Speaker Forms must be turned in by the time of the published start of the board meeting (e.g. 5:00 pm) in order to be added to the public comment section for that meeting.
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 two (2) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of four (4) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 16 minutes for this section, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak at the beginning of the specific agenda item. Speakers will be given a maximum of two (2) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of four (4) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 6 minutes to each agenda item on a first-come, first-served basis.
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, Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, LESD Representative, Remco Waller, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario, Mason Williams
Guests Present
Albert Paredes (LESD Representative), Cesar Delgado, Cynthia Avila, Danielle Kelsick, Debra Washington (remote), Dr. Beth Bernstein (remote), Dr. Geneva Matthews (remote), Dr. Shalene Wright (remote), Jen Fenton, Jen Larsen (remote), Jeremiah Rosario David, Jeremiah Rosario David, Lucia Bañuelos, Sarah Jamieson, Sarahai Garibay, Tiffany McGinnis (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote), Zena Fong
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
D.
Opener
II. Action Item
A.
Elect officers of the ECS corporation
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
III. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
None.
IV. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Superintendent Update slides including the 2026-27 Instructional Priority: Stacking Good Days, the newly promoted Senior Manager of Finance Sarahai Garibay, the 2026-27 ECHS Gardena Enrollment Review presented by Community and Outreach Manager Cynthia Avila, and the Campus Modernization HVAC upgrade project and associated Opening Contingency Plan.
B.
Board Governance Proposal
Incoming Board President Dr. Denise Berger, incoming Vice President Anthony Jowid, and Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Board Governance Proposal on leadership development, committee structure, meeting design, succession planning, and developing governance systems.
C.
ECS Compensation Adjustments Presentation
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the ECS Compensation Adjustments Presentation and ECS Proposed Compensation Adjustments Board Memo with proposed Board Action to be taken in VII.A - ECS Compensation Adjustments.
V. EEU Comments to the Board
A.
EEU Comments to the Board
None.
VI. Consent Items A-K
A.
Approve 6/22/2026 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 4/20/2026 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
C.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
D.
Approve revised 2026-27 ECHS-G Academic Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
E.
Approve revised 2026-27 Board Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
F.
Approve revised 2026-27 ECS Board Committees & Terms
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
G.
Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2026-27 School Year (Board Policy 32188)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
I.
Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
J.
Approve revised ECS Board Committee Charters
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
K.
Approve ECS Board Member Commitments & Governance Expectations
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
VII. Action Items
A.
Approve ECS Compensation Adjustments
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
B.
Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
VIII. 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.
IX. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to closed session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
X. Report out of Closed Session
A.
Report out
Coming out of closed session, Board Vice President Anthony Jowid stated there was no board action taken and nothing to report out.
XI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
None.