Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

ECS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday June 5, 2017 at 5:00 PM

Location

16315 Grevillea Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260 / 409 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite E Santa Monica, CA 90401
ECS 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
Mr. 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 years  June 30, 2017
Mr. Anthony Jowid...............................................................2 years June 30, 2019
 
ECS 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
Ms. Makeisa Gaines, Director of Talent Management 
Mr. Robert Gloria, Principal at ECMS - Gardena 
Ms. Beth Bernstein, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS 

Mission
To create and deliver vibrant, innovative, interdisciplinary learning opportunities using the environment to engage students and connect them to the wider world.

Vision
Our vision is that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to graduate from college, inspired to discover their own sense of purpose and empowered to become quality stewards of their own communities.

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, Amy Johnson, Anthony Jowid (remote), Bruce Greenspon, Dr. Denise Berger, Ken Deemer, LESD Representative, William Robertson

Directors Absent

Alan Fox, Bradley Jewett, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jenni Owen, John Quiter

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Amy Johnson, Dr. Denise Berger

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

Anthony Jowid

Guests Present

Dani Hughes

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

ECS Staff Present:
Tracy Bondi
Danielle Kelsick
Jayne Wyche
KC Villoria
Robert Gloria
Beth Bernstein
Makeisa Gaines
Julie Vo
Kami Cotler
Lacey Harris
Lucia Banuelos
Rossa Dono-Ramirez
Sammy Lyon

Others:
Dorothy Lee, EdTec
Alli Takido
Carole Ramsey
John Escareno
Mohammed El Hajj Younes
John Escareno
Cathy Cresia
Drew Shula 

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Ken Deemer called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Monday Jun 5, 2017 at 5:07 PM.

II. Review and Approval of Agenda

A.

Motion to approve the agenda

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to approve the agenda as stated.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Jenni Owen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Amy Johnson
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
William Robertson
Aye

B.

Approve Previous ECS Board Meeting Minutes

LESD Representative made a motion to approve minutes.
William Robertson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Amy Johnson
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Jenni Owen
Absent
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
William Robertson
Aye

III. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the Floor on Non Agenda Items

Mr. El Hajj Younes, an alumnus from ECHS, noted how he was motivated by ECHS to major in environmental studies and to go into renewable energy as a career. He wanted to thank everyone for his education at ECHS. He will make sure his resume is forwarded along to the Board.

Mr. John Escareno, an alumnus from ECHS, also presented to the Board in gratitude for his education. He shared that ECHS had a great effect on him. He felt that the teachers were very special and inspired him. He is a student at El Camino College and plans to transfer to a UC. He is part of a youth empowerment non-profit. They invite low income students to be exposed to new opportunities.
Dr. Denise Berger arrived.

B.

PRESENTATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS

No public comment.

IV. Reports / Presentations

A.

Executive Director's Report

Ms. Diaz presented the Executive Director's report. She introduced Makeisa Gaines, the new Director of Talent Management. She also shared that a new CMO position is being created, currently called Operations and Special Projects Manager. She updated the Board with regard to the ECMS Inglewood campus construction project, the ECMS Gardena Proposition K beautification project, and the DSA approval process for the portables at ECHS. ECMS Inglewood submitted its charter petition for early renewal and had the capacity hearing with LACOE, one step in the renewal process. 
Amy Johnson arrived.

B.

ECHS Graduates

Ms. Villoria, Ms. Banuelos, Ms. Dono-Ramirez, and Ms. Harris presented to the Board regarding ECHS senior college enrollment progress and alumni tracking. Report is attached. 

V. Study Session

A.

LCAP for each site

Ms. Cotler presented the LCAPs. Each site Principal also presented two actions from their site's LCAPs.

VI. Committee Reports

A.

Finance Committee

Ms. Lee and Ms. Bondi presented the finance committee update.
Anthony Jowid left.

B.

Facilities Committee

Tabled
 

C.

Development Committee

Tabled

D.

Govenance Committee

Ms. Berger presented the Governance Committee update. Board recruitment efforts are very robust right now. Strategic Planning is also being addressed.The Board calendar has been set.  Please see published calendar.  Each Committee chair will work with his/her committee to establish the committee calendar of meetings.  

E.

Academic Excellence Committee

Tabled

F.

Diversity and Equity Taskforce

Tabled

VII. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve Consent Agenda

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Amy Johnson
Aye
Jenni Owen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
William Robertson
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent

VIII. Action Items

A.

Approve 2017-2018 Board Terms and Officers

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to approve the Board terms with the change that Jenni Owen's term will be one year and accept the resignations, Ken Deemer for Board President, Anthony Jowid for Board Vice President, Denise Berger for Board Secretary, Bruce Greenspon for Treasurer.
William Robertson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Amy Johnson
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Jenni Owen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Approve 2017-2018 Board and Committee Calendar

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the 2017-18 Board Calendar.
Amy Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Amy Johnson
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenni Owen
Absent

C.

Approve 2017-2018 Academic Calendars for each site

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the instructional calendars.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Amy Johnson
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Jenni Owen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

D.

Approve Graduation Waivers

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to approve the graduation waivers as requested by ECHS administration.
William Robertson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Amy Johnson
Aye
Jenni Owen
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

E.

Approve LCAPs for each school site

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the ECHS, ECMSG, and ECMSI annual LCAP update.
Amy Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenni Owen
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Amy Johnson
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

F.

Approve 2017-18 Year Budgets for each school site

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the 2017-18 ECHS, ECMSG, ECMSI annual budgets.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenni Owen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Amy Johnson
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

G.

Approve 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Education Protection Act Funds resolution

Amy Johnson made a motion to approve the Education Protection Act resolution.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenni Owen
Absent
William Robertson
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Amy Johnson
Aye

IX. Upcoming Dates

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

Dannel Hughes to share board meeting dates with LACOE and LESD. 

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

Each committee chair to establish dates for meetings. 

C.

Culminations and Graduation

Please come. 

D.

Other important dates

The Board reviewed the dates above.

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

William Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Amy Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Jenni Owen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
William Robertson
Aye
Amy Johnson
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 8:28 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Deemer