Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday September 26, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Location
16315 Grevillea Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260 - Library
Board Members Term and End Date
Mr. Ken Deemer, President.................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Vice President.....................3 years June 30, 2017
Bruce Greenspon, Treasurer..............................1 year June 30, 2017
Ms. Farnaz Golshani–Flechner, Secretary......... 3 years June 30, 2018
Mr. William Robertson.........................................3 years June 30, 2017
Mr. Jorge Arroyo................................................1 years June 30, 2017
Ms. Amy Johnson...............................................3 years June 30, 2017
Ms. Jenni Owen.................................................3 year June 30, 2017
Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiative
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Robert Gloria, Principal at ECMS - Gardena
Ms. Beth Bernstein, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS
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.
REASONABLE LIMITATIONS MAY BE PLACED ON PUBLIC TESTIMONY
The Governing Board’s presiding officer reserves the right to impose reasonable time limits on public testimony to ensure that the agenda is completed.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE MADE
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only.
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 812 West 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247; telephone (310) 214-3400; fax (310) 214-3410.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at 812 West 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247; telephone (310) 214-3400; fax (310) 214-3410.
Mr. Ken Deemer, President.................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Vice President.....................3 years June 30, 2017
Bruce Greenspon, Treasurer..............................1 year June 30, 2017
Ms. Farnaz Golshani–Flechner, Secretary......... 3 years June 30, 2018
Mr. William Robertson.........................................3 years June 30, 2017
Mr. Jorge Arroyo................................................1 years June 30, 2017
Ms. Amy Johnson...............................................3 years June 30, 2017
Ms. Jenni Owen.................................................3 year June 30, 2017
Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiative
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Robert Gloria, Principal at ECMS - Gardena
Ms. Beth Bernstein, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS
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.
REASONABLE LIMITATIONS MAY BE PLACED ON PUBLIC TESTIMONY
The Governing Board’s presiding officer reserves the right to impose reasonable time limits on public testimony to ensure that the agenda is completed.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE MADE
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only.
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 812 West 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247; telephone (310) 214-3400; fax (310) 214-3410.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at 812 West 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247; telephone (310) 214-3400; fax (310) 214-3410.
Directors Present
Alison Diaz, Bruce Greenspon, Dr. Denise Berger, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jenni Owen, Ken Deemer, LESD Representative
Directors Absent
Amy Johnson, William Robertson
Guests Present
Dorothy Lee
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Ken Deemer called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Monday Sep 26, 2016 at 6:15 PM.
II. Review and Approval of Agenda
A.
Motion to approve the agenda
Bruce Greenspon made a motion to Approve the agenda with the following changes: move the action items to earlier in the agenda -- to just after Presentations from the floor.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
| Amy Johnson |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| William Robertson |
Absent
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
III. Presentations From the Floor
A.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
none
B.
PRESENTATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS
none
IV. Action Items
A.
Approve Health Benefits
The compensation committee recommended that we take this action item before coming to the board.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to Goldshani motioned to revise health benefits for new teachers to full coverage for HMO and up to $6,500 for family and a 2K pay out for opting out. See FILE NAME: 160926 Health Revision Proposal.
Jenni Owen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Final ReGreen Contract for Services at ECMS- G and ECMS- I
Bruce Greenspon made a motion to APPROVE FINAL REGREEN CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AT ECMS- G AND ECMS- I.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
ReGreen's agreement equals the grant amount. We do have to front the grant funds we have already received, but will not have to provide future funds until the CDE approves the schools' energy plan that guarantees future funding.
C.
Approve ECHS After School Program Contract Renewal for Woodcraft Rangers
This is the contract for the high school's after school program, which is a continuation of last year's agreement and includes a small percentage increase - $180k plus 3% as a maximum amount for the updated contract.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to approve the Woodcraft Contract not to exceed $180k plus 3%. Alison to negotiate final amount.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
V. Reports
A.
Executive Director's Report
Green Ambassadors name has been trademarked. We will move forward with contacting folks who are using the name. There are at least two other organizations that are using the same name.
Environmental Charter Schools trademark was unsuccessful, it was too generic/common. There is a school in Pittsburgh using our name.
LESD: We have received two letters from the district. After seeing the Honda Cares commercial, LESD sent another letter. We have finalized a letter to go back to them. It will be delivered tomorrow.
Advisory Council member list was included in the packet. This will be included on the consent agenda at the next board meeting.
CAASP Results:
Alison distributed reports detailing how each school performed in comparison to local neighbors schools or similar schools. The board reviewed the reports. All ECS schools performed better than their comparison schools. We now have information on how we compare to other schools. We can talk more about this at the next board meeting.
Environmental Charter Schools trademark was unsuccessful, it was too generic/common. There is a school in Pittsburgh using our name.
LESD: We have received two letters from the district. After seeing the Honda Cares commercial, LESD sent another letter. We have finalized a letter to go back to them. It will be delivered tomorrow.
Advisory Council member list was included in the packet. This will be included on the consent agenda at the next board meeting.
CAASP Results:
Alison distributed reports detailing how each school performed in comparison to local neighbors schools or similar schools. The board reviewed the reports. All ECS schools performed better than their comparison schools. We now have information on how we compare to other schools. We can talk more about this at the next board meeting.
VI. Committee Reports
A.
Finance Committee Report
Dorothy Lee presented the financial packet included with the board materials. Financials included 2015-16 Unaudited Actuals and updated 2016-17 Forecasts.
B.
Facilities Committee Report
ECMS-I: Construction is happening.
ECMS-G: Prop K grant being heard by steering committee this week.
ECHS: Working to resolve concerns LESD has raised.
As noted in the action items, we are moving forward with the ReGreen contract for Inglewood and Gardena. We are waiting to move forward at the high school until we have LESD's approval. Note the audits for each site has be completed. If we are unable to move forward at ECHS, we will need to return all planning money ECHS received and will not be able to recover the costs of the audit.
ECMS-G: Prop K grant being heard by steering committee this week.
ECHS: Working to resolve concerns LESD has raised.
As noted in the action items, we are moving forward with the ReGreen contract for Inglewood and Gardena. We are waiting to move forward at the high school until we have LESD's approval. Note the audits for each site has be completed. If we are unable to move forward at ECHS, we will need to return all planning money ECHS received and will not be able to recover the costs of the audit.
C.
Development Committee Report
Career Day is November 10. Now is the time to prospect potential speakers and maybe become a speaker yourself. We also need to find sponsors. ReGreen is our Lead Sponsor for Career Day.
Ken Deemer would like the deck to also include opportunities for individuals as the current deck is geared towards corporations.
Julie Vo also shared the Grow with Us deck on how to find individuals, entities and corporations on how they can become partners with us.
Ken Deemer would like the deck to also include opportunities for individuals as the current deck is geared towards corporations.
Julie Vo also shared the Grow with Us deck on how to find individuals, entities and corporations on how they can become partners with us.
D.
Governance Committee Report
We have adopted Board on Track, which is meant to streamline our board materials. Each document is linked to the specific part of the agenda.
Executive Director evaluation is in process.
We have potential board members in the pipeline and looking to grow the board to 11 members.
We are in Year 3 of the Strategic Plan. This year's theme is Take Root (15-16 was Dig In, 14-15 was Slow Down). The retreat is set for Spring.
Executive Director evaluation is in process.
We have potential board members in the pipeline and looking to grow the board to 11 members.
We are in Year 3 of the Strategic Plan. This year's theme is Take Root (15-16 was Dig In, 14-15 was Slow Down). The retreat is set for Spring.
VII. Upcoming Dates
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
November 14, 2016
Back in session at 7:42pm.
Back in session at 7:42pm.
B.
Next ECS Committee Meeting
- Finance Committee November 4, 2016
- Facilities Committee November 4, 2016
- Development Committee November 18, 2016
- Governance Committee November 18, 2016
C.
Next Tour Dates
- September 22 at 2:00PM
- October 4 at 10:00AM
- October 20 at 2:00PM
D.
Green Ambassadors Institute 2016-17: Research in Action
- October 3, 2016
- February 25, 2017
- May 6, 2017
E.
ECHS Career Day
November 10, 2016 at 9:00AM
VIII. Consent Agenda
A.
Consent Agenda
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve all consent agenda item:
Approve Regular ECS Board Meeting on July 25, 2016 (FILE NAME: 160725BoardMinutes-KD AD edits_FINAL)
Accept Finance Committee on Sept. 2, 2016 (FILE NAME: 160902FinanceCommitteeMinutes_FINAL)
Accept Facilities Committee on Sept. 2, 2016 (FILE NAME: 160902FacilitiesCommitteeMinutes_FINAL
Accept Development Committee on Sept. 16, 2016 (FILE NAME: 160916DevelopmentCommitteeMinutes_FINAL)
Accept Governance Committee on Sept. 16, 2016 (FILE NAME: 160916GovernanceCommiteeMinutes_FINAL)
Approve August 2016 Check Register (FILE NAME: 160905August2016CheckRegister)
Approve Private Donations (FILE NAME: 160907PrivateDonations)
Approve 2016 - 2017 Parent Student Handbook Changes
ECMS - I(FILE NAME: 160919ECMS-IParentStudentHandbook2016-17wEdits)(FILE NAME: ECMS-I Parent Student Handbook Changes)
ECMS - G(FILE NAME: 160909ECMS-GParentStudentHandbook2016-17wEdits)(FILE NAME: ECMS-G Parent Student Handbook Changes)
ECHS(FILE NAME: 160919ECHSParentStudentHandbook2016-17wEdits)
Approve Final Revised Lease between ECMS Inglewood and Yukon. (FILE NAME: 160601 Lease Agreement between Yukon and ECS
Approve License Agreement Between Concordia Lutheran Church and ECMS- I (FILE NAME: 1606finalExhibit B- License.pdf)
Approve revised Uniform Complaint Procedures (FILE NAME: Uniform Complaint Procedures Aug 2016 Draft for Board)
Approve Lindsey Jurca Contract for 2016 - 2017 (FILE NAME: 2016-17 Lindsey Jurca Contract).
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Jenni Owen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Aye
|
| Alison Diaz |
Absent
|
| Bruce Greenspon |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Amy Johnson |
Aye
|
| William Robertson |
Absent
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Denise Berger
Staff: Alison Diaz, Kami Cotler, Beth Bernstein, Robert Gloria, Jane Wynche, KC Villoria, Marcela Pawz, Lindsay Jurca, Dani Hughes, Julie Vo
Guests: Jared Parem, Anthony Dowid, Ken Aldridge, John Kim, Lauren O'Neill, Marisa Quintanar, Dorothy Lee