Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Special Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 1, 2026 at 1:00 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)
- 1656 Vorhees Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | 3011 Elm St., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | 3513 Walnut Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | 1341 Comstock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024 | 333 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245 | 14407 Larch Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 | 4161 W 147th St. Lawndale CA 90260
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
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 o lo antes posible a partir de entonces.
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 (remote), Anthony Jowid (remote), Herb Sims, LESD Representative, Mason Williams (remote), Remco Waller (remote), Zena Fong (remote)
Directors Absent
Dr. Denise Berger, Kennedy Hilario
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Herb Sims
Guests Present
Albert Paredes (LESD Representative), Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo (remote), Jeremiah Rosario David, Kaasa Dennis (remote), Kevin Resendiz (remote), Lisa Corr (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Board member roll call
Roll call was taken and a quorum was confirmed with six (6) members present.
C.
Approve the agenda
Staff requested that Agenda Item IX.A, Adoption of ECS Initial Proposals to Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA, be tabled to a future board meeting. This allows additional time for review, and the item will be considered alongside EEU's initial proposals, which are due October 15, 2026.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
None.
III. Informational Item
A.
Public Presentation of ECS Initial Collective Bargaining Proposals (Gov. Code § 3547)
ECS's initial collective bargaining proposals to Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA were presented pursuant to Government Code §3547(a). No public comment was received. No action was taken.
IV. EEU Comments to the Board
A.
EEU Comments to the Board
None.
V. Action Items
A.
Acknowledge receipt of Dr. Betsy Hamilton's written resignation effective September 25, 2026
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick noted that Dr. Hamilton plans to attend the December 1, 2026 board meeting via Zoom so the Board can recognize her service.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
B.
Designation of Labor Negotiator
Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the item.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
VI. Closed Session
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1))
Prior to recessing, Zena Fong announced the items to be discussed in closed session:
- Agenda Item VII.A: Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation (Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1)), Parents on behalf of Student v. Environmental Charter Schools, OAH Case No. 2026090128
- Agenda Item VII.B: Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code §54957.6)
B.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code § 54957.6)
VII. Reconvene to Open Session
A.
Report out
Reporting out of closed session, Zena Fong stated that the Board met in closed session, no action was taken, and there was nothing to report out.
VIII. Action Item
A.
Adoption of ECS Initial Proposals to Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA (Gov. Code § 3547(c))
Tabled.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Remco Waller |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
In the absence of the President, and at the request of the Vice President, Zena Fong presided.