Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Finance Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Friday March 3, 2017 at 9:30 AM

Location

16315 Grevillea Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260
Finance Committee Members
Tracy Bondi - Chair 
Alison Diaz 
Ken Deemer
Bruce Greenspon
William Robertson 
Jenni Owen  

Finance Committee Charter
  • Provides financial oversight for the organization
  • In conjunction with staff and other stakeholders, develops an annual operating budget and recommends for board approval
  • Monitors adherence to budget and recommends changes, if necessary
  • Sets long-term financial goals with funding strategies to achieve them
  • Considers special, unbudgeted requests and make recommendations to board
  • Develops multi-year operating budgets that tie to strategic plan
  • Ensures adequacy of financial controls and monitor for compliance
  • Ensure Financial literacy of Board Members by providing training
??Goals for 2016-2017
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course as needed
  • Ensure adequate financing for the facilities development in Inglewood and Lawndale
  • Ensure salary schedules are supportable and sustainable
  • Assist in determination of auditor evaluation and choice of auditors for 2016-17 audit

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.

Committee Members Present

Alison Diaz, Bruce Greenspon, Dorothy Lee, Jenni Owen, Tracy Bondi (remote), William Robertson

Committee Members Absent

Ken Deemer

Guests Present

Dani Hughes

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tracy Bondi called a meeting of the Finance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday Mar 3, 2017 at 9:33 AM.

II. Approval of Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes

A.

Motion to approve the agenda

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to approve the agenda.
William Robertson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
William Robertson
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Jenni Owen
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye

B.

Approve Previous Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Alison Diaz made a motion to approve minutes from the Finance Committee Committee Meeting on 01-20-17 Finance Committee Meeting on 01-20-17.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Jenni Owen
Aye

III. Presentation from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the Floor

None

B.

Presentations on the Agenda

None

IV. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

EdTec Financial Update

Dorothy reports out on the finances for ECHS, ECMS-I and ECMS-G

B.

Benchmarks Update

Dorothy gives an update on how the schools expenditures compare to other schools within the ECS network and within Cs and La more specifically.   ECS seems to be spending more money per student on instructional expense.  Alison to work with other charter leaders - to complete a more apple to apple expense benchmark comparison.  

C.

Fundraising Update

Tracy gives an update on Development's fundraising PowerPoint slide and seeks board feedback.  Board suggests the slide include a timeline visual.  

Action:
Tracy to share feedback with Julie. 

D.

Auditor Selection for 2016/17 Audit

Tracy gives an update on the auditor selection process and explains the differences between the various auditors with whom collected bids.  
 

V. Action Items

A.

Approve College Readiness Block Grant Plan

Jenni Owen made a motion to recommend Approval of the College Readiness Block Grant to the ECS board.
Bruce Greenspon seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
William Robertson
Aye
Jenni Owen
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Tracy Bondi
Aye

B.

Approve Proposal for Audit Services for FY 2016/17

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommended the approval of Squar Milner's Proposal for Audit Services for FY 2016/17 to the full board in March.
Jenni Owen seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Jenni Owen
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
William Robertson
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Alison Diaz