Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECMS-Gardena

Date and Time

Monday October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Location

In-person location: ECMS-Gardena - 812 W 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247
 

Two-way teleconference locations:

  • 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)
  • 3513 Walnut Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 | 795 Poplar Street, Denver, CO 80220 | 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 Student Services

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

Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Rosa Isiah, Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Remco Waller, Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Andrew Ellenbogen

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Rosa Isiah

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

LESD Representative

Guests Present

Britney Collins, Carlos Lopez, Cesar Delgado, Charity Rock, Daniel Lopez Baez, Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, Dr. Geneva Matthews, Ileana Herrera, Isabell Bañuelos, Isabella Wahbeh, Jen Fenton, Jeremiah Rosario David, Jessyka Ramirez-Holden, Lauren Pell, Lucia Bañuelos, Lucina Lopez, Rh'Lynn Evans, Sarahai Garibay, Tabitha Matthews, Tiffany McGinnis, Vivianna Marie Lopez Baez

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Monday Oct 26, 2026 at 5:02 PM.

B.

Board member roll call

Board roll call took place. Quorum present.

C.

Approve the agenda

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the agenda.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye

D.

Opener

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick led an opening activity in which board members, staff, and members of the public engaged with each other in pairs.

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

Public comments on agenda items (speakers addressed the board at the start of item III.A):

 

  1. Rh'Lynn Evans: ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition
  2. Reana Herrera: ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition
  3. Carlos Lopez and Lucina Lopez: ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition

III. Discussion Items/Updates

A.

ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition study session

Dr. Denise Berger arrived.

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick and Principal Dave Trejo presented the ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition for the term July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2032. The presentation covered renewal eligibility and verified data, the educational program, progress on measurable pupil outcomes in the current charter term, and the proposed budget, all linked in the agenda. Board members asked questions about the school's goals and comparison data, and staff responded. No action was taken; the board considered the petition under item VII.A.

B.

Committee Chairs update

Governance Committee Chair Anthony Jowid and Labor & Compensation Committee Chair Kennedy Hilario provided committee updates.

 

1. Governance Committee: advanced two candidates in the board recruitment process and will continue onboarding guide revisions, mentoring assignments, a board composition review, and a bylaws review. Next meeting October 28, 2026.

 

2. Labor & Compensation Committee: met October 21, 2026, received the ECS and EEU/CTA/NEA initial proposals with an opportunity for public comment, and recommended that the board adopt the ECS initial proposals (item XII.A).

C.

Elect Dr. Rosa Isiah to the ECS Board of Directors, as recommended by the Governance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to elect Dr. Rosa Isiah to the board.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

Dr. Rosa Isiah was seated following the vote and participated in the remainder of the meeting.

Dr. Rosa Isiah arrived.

IV. Informational Item

A.

Public Presentation and Comment: Initial Collective Bargaining Proposals of Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA and ECS for a Successor Agreement (Gov. Code § 3547)

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick presented the ECS initial proposals to Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA for a successor agreement. The EEU/CTA/NEA initial proposals, submitted October 14, 2026, were also presented for public review. Both are linked in the agenda and posted on the ECS website. The public was given the opportunity to comment. No action was taken on the ECS or EEU/CTA/NEA proposals.

V. EEU Comments to the Board

A.

EEU Comments to the Board

Lauren Pell addressed the board on behalf of Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA regarding its initial bargaining proposals and priorities for a successor agreement.

VI. Consent Items

A.

Approve 8/24/2026 board meeting minutes

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the consent items (VI.A through VI.J).
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Rosa Isiah
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 08-24-26.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approve 10/1/2026 special board meeting minutes

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board of Directors' Meeting on 10-01-26.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Approve 10/12/2026 Special Governance Committee Meeting Minutes

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Governance Committee Meeting on 10-12-26.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approve 10/21/2026 Special Labor & Compensation Committee Meeting Minutes

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Labor & Compensation Committee Meeting on 10-21-26.
Remco Waller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approve revised 2026-27 Board & Committee Calendar

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

F.

Approve Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools Annual Reports for Fiscal Year 2026-27 for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, and ECHS-G

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

G.

Appoint Kennedy Hilario and Remco Waller to the Menlo Charter Properties Board of Directors and confirm Anthony Jowid's MCP term

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

H.

Approve contracts

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

I.

Approve College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) Partnership Agreement 2026-2029 between El Camino Community College District and ECHS-Lawndale/ECHS-Gardena

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

J.

Approve Change in Authorized Signers for ECS Accounts at Beneficial State Bank

Approved under the consent motion recorded at item VI.A.

VII. Action Items

A.

Approve Submission of the ECMS-Gardena Renewal Charter Petition for the Term July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2032

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the submission of the ECMS-Gardena renewal charter petition.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Rosa Isiah
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

VIII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS board meeting

The next board meeting is Monday, November 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM, moved from December 1, 2026 under Consent Item VI.E.

B.

Next ECS committee meetings and events

Committee meetings:

 

  • Governance Committee: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
  • Labor & Compensation Committee: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
  • Finance Committee: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

Events:

 

  • ECHS-Lawndale Day of the Dead Celebration, Friday, November 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM;
  • ECMS-Inglewood Harvest Festival, Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

C.

Appreciations

Board members and staff shared appreciations, including for the ECMS-Gardena renewal petition team and the ECMS-Gardena staff.

IX. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

The board adjourned to closed session at 6:06 PM.

LESD Representative left at 6:06 PM.

X. Closed Session

A.

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code § 54957.6)

The board met in closed session.

 

Agency designated representatives: Danielle Kelsick, Lucia Bañuelos, Robert Escalante (ACLIENT PC).

 

Employee organization: Environmental Educators United/CTA/NEA.

XI. Reconvene to Open Session

A.

Report out

The board reconvened in open session at 6:48 PM. Anthony Jowid reported that there was no reportable action.

XII. Action Item

A.

Adopt ECS Initial Proposals for a Successor Collective Bargaining Agreement with EEU/CTA/NEA (Gov. Code § 3547(c)) as recommended by Labor & Compensation Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adopt the ECS initial proposals.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Rosa Isiah
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Remco Waller
Aye

XIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Rosa Isiah
Aye
Remco Waller
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah Rosario David