Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Governance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Wednesday October 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Location

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81632408490?pwd=OF7mNKPb23wmyyZj5eiKbgNajYZxHF.1

 

Alternative access:

  • Dial-In: 669-900-6833‬, Meeting ID: 816 3240 8490, Passcode: 883447
  • Two-way Teleconference Locations: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 | 795 Poplar Street, Denver, CO 80220 | 4163 Sea View Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90065 | 3011 Elm St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  • Each teleconference location listed above is open and accessible to the public. Members of the public may attend and address the Committee from any listed location.

Governance Committee Members

  • Anthony Jowid (Chair)
  • Dr. Denise Berger
  • Mason Williams
  • Danielle Kelsick
  • Jeremiah Rosario David

 

Governance Committee Charter

 

  • Recommend policies, practices, and governance processes that promote effective Board leadership and decision-making.
  • Recruit, vet, and recommend prospective Board members aligned with the organization's strategic priorities and desired Board composition.
  • Oversee Board member onboarding, orientation, and ongoing governance education.
  • Monitor Board composition, succession planning, officer development, and committee structure.
  • Lead the annual Board self-evaluation and recommend actions to strengthen Board effectiveness.
  • Lead the Superintendent's annual goal-setting and performance evaluation and provide recommendations to the full Board.
  • Oversee the Board's strategic planning process, including recommending timelines, facilitating Board engagement, and monitoring implementation of governance responsibilities related to the strategic plan.
  • Periodically review Board policies, committee charters, bylaws, and governance documents, recommending revisions as needed.
  • Perform other governance responsibilities assigned by the Board.

 

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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.


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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of four (4) minutes each). Please note that the Committee 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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of four (4) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 6 minutes to each agenda item on a first-come, first-served basis.


The public should be aware that the Committee 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 a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to attend or participate in this Committee meeting may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5. Requests should be made as far in advance of the meeting as possible.

 

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: https://app2.boardontrack.com/public/3tHo3u/year.

 

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 Committee 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: https://app2.boardontrack.com/public/3tHo3u/year. 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 Committee. For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.

Committee Members Present

Anthony Jowid (remote), Danielle Kelsick, Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Jeremiah Rosario David

Committee Members Absent

Mason Williams

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Danielle Kelsick called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Wednesday Oct 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM.

B.

Committee member roll call

C.

Approve the agenda

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve the agenda.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Danielle Kelsick
Aye
Jeremiah Rosario David
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Review of ECS Board Member Onboarding Process

Jeremiah Rosario David reported that the ECS New Board Member Onboarding Guide has not been revised in several years and will be updated to align with the Board Member Commitments & Governance Expectations and the Board Governance Proposal. Staff will circulate a redline of recommended revisions to committee members in advance of the next committee meeting, and before the November 30, 2026 Board meeting if possible.

B.

Menlo Charter Properties Board Appointments: Kennedy Hilario and Remco Waller

Jeremiah Rosario David reported that the Board appointed Kennedy Hilario and Remco Waller to the Menlo Charter Properties Board of Directors at its October 26, 2026 special meeting, with MCP terms aligned to their ECS Board terms, and that the MCP Board is now fully seated.

C.

ECS Bylaws Review Session

Jeremiah Rosario David led a review of the ECS Fifth Amended Bylaws (December 12, 2024) and the reader's guide linked in the agenda. The committee reviewed provisions on members, number and election of directors, interested persons, conflicts of interest, terms, meetings, committees, officers, insurance, and the relationship between the charter and the bylaws. 

 

Staff will research the origin of the interested-person definition in Article II.C.3(b), refer it to legal counsel, and email recommended optional revisions to the committee. The committee will then consider whether any revisions warrant an amendment, which requires authorizer consent; staff will maintain a working copy of proposed revisions.

D.

Board Composition, Recruitment Pipeline, and Quorum

Superintendent Danielle Kelsick provided an update on the board recruitment pipeline. The committee discussed quorum requirements, including that a quorum must participate from within Los Angeles County and that each teleconference location must appear on the posted agenda, and the effect of last-minute cancellations on quorum.

 

Staff will prepare a one-page visual on attendance confirmation timelines and the consequences of late cancellations for the November 30, 2026 Board meeting. Dr. Denise Berger will poll committee members on availability for an additional committee meeting before the November 30, 2026 Board meeting.

E.

LACOE Governance Review, 2025-26 School Year

Tabled to the next committee meeting.

F.

Preview of Next Agenda: Superintendent Evaluation Goals and Settlement Authority

Tabled to the next committee meeting.

IV. Recommendation Items

A.

Recommend that the Board receive the LACOE End-of-Year Governance Review for 2025-26 at its next regular meeting

Tabled to the next committee meeting.

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Anthony Jowid seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Danielle Kelsick
Aye
Jeremiah Rosario David
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 3:59 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah Rosario David