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 | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Action Item
A.
Elect officers of the ECS corporation
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
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 | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 4/20/2026 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
C.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
D.
Approve revised 2026-27 ECHS-G Academic Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
E.
Approve revised 2026-27 Board Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
F.
Approve revised 2026-27 ECS Board Committees & Terms
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
G.
Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2026-27 School Year (Board Policy 32188)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
I.
Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
J.
Approve revised ECS Board Committee Charters
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
K.
Approve ECS Board Member Commitments & Governance Expectations
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
VII. Action Items
A.
Approve ECS Compensation Adjustments
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
B.
Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
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 | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
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 | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
None.