Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 24, 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 | 795 Poplar Street, Denver, CO 80220
Each teleconference location listed above is open and accessible to the public. Members of the public may attend and address the Board from any listed location.
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Dr. Denise Berger, President.................3 years June 30, 2029
Mr. Anthony Jowid, Vice President.......3 years June 30, 2028
Dr. Betsy Hamilton.................................3 years June 30, 2028
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................3 years June 30, 2029
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
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
Ms. Sarahai Garibay, Senior Manager of Finance
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 regular meetings. 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 at regular meetings, 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.
AGENDA POSTING
This agenda is posted in the exterior public display case adjacent to the side entrance of the ECS Home Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, which is freely accessible to the public 24 hours a day, at each teleconference location listed above, and on the ECS public meeting portal.
ACCESO AL IDIOMA
Para solicitar una traducción de esta agenda o servicios de interpretación para esta reunión, comuníquese con ECS al (310) 214-3408, opción 5, con al menos 48 horas de anticipación.
PUBLIC INSPECTION OF AGENDA MATERIALS
Writings that are public records and are distributed to a majority of the Board in connection with an open session agenda item are available for public inspection at the ECS Home Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, during regular business hours, and on the ECS public meeting portal. Writings distributed less than 72 hours before the meeting will be made available for public inspection at the same time they are distributed to members of the Board. For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
Directors Present
Andrew Ellenbogen, Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Remco Waller, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
None
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
LESD Representative
Guests Present
Anita Amoh (Vertex Education), Cesar Delgado, Danielle Kelsick, Dr. Rosa Perez - Isiah, Ed. D. (remote), Dr. Shalene Wright (remote), Jeremiah Rosario David, Lucia Bañuelos, Sarah Jamieson, Sarahai Garibay, Tracy Pumilia (LESD representative)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda items
None.
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
None.
C.
Public hearing regarding sufficiency of instructional materials for 2026-27 for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
None.
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the Superintendent Update slides including Stacking Good Days From the Start, enrollment and attendance statistics, HVAC modernization progress, and the upcoming charter renewal timelines for ECMS-G and ECHS-L.
B.
2025-26 Unaudited Actuals and FY26 Financial Update
Vertex Education consultant Anita Amoh presented the Financial Update slides in the board packet. The presentation covered the following for Fiscal Year 2025-26: unaudited actuals versus last forecast, enrollment, operating income comparison, forecast changes for each school, CapEx impact on ECHSG operating income, fund balances, cash flow and investments, days cash on hand, and financial covenants (debt service ratio and days cash on hand), followed by a full discussion among the board members and ECS leadership.
C.
Committee Chair updates
The following chairs presented their committee updates slides:
- Andrew Ellenbogen, Finance
- Kennedy Hilario, Labor & Compensation
- Anthony Jowid, Governance
IV. EEU Comments to the Board
A.
EEU Comments to the Board
None.
V. Consent Items A-I
A.
Approve 7/27/2026 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
B.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
C.
Approve check registers and credit card statements
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
D.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
E.
Approve revised 2026-27 Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
F.
Approve 2026-27 Parent-Student Handbooks for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
G.
Approve revised Independent Study Policy
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Board Resolution No. 2026-01 - Sufficiency of Instructional Materials for 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
I.
Approve ECS English Learner Master Plan
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Approve 2025-26 Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
B.
Approve revised ECS Salary Scales/Schedules Compensation 2026-27
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
VII. 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.
VIII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to closed session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
IX. Closed Session
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1))
X. Report out of Closed Session
A.
Report out
Coming out of closed session, Board Vice President Anthony Jowid stated there was nothing to report out.
XI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
The board, staff and guests engaged in a brief opener in small groups for the purpose of getting to know each other.