Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
ECS Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Monday January 29, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Location
16315 Grevillea Avenue, Lawndale, CA 90260 Room 133 / Zoom info: Join from PC and Mac: https://zoom.us/j/147466498 Or Telephone: +1 669 900 6833 (Meeting ID: 147 466 498)
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Mr. Ken Deemer, President...................................................3 years June 30, 2019
Mr. Anthony Jowid, Vice President........................................2 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Jenni Owen.....................................................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Farnaz Golshani–Flechner..............................................3 years June 30, 2018
Ms. Cathy Creasia.................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................1 year June 30, 2018
Mr. Ernie Levroney.................................................................2 year June 30, 2019
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative...........Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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 Ralph M. Brown 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
Mr. Anthony Jowid, Vice President........................................2 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Jenni Owen.....................................................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Farnaz Golshani–Flechner..............................................3 years June 30, 2018
Ms. Cathy Creasia.................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................1 year June 30, 2018
Mr. Ernie Levroney.................................................................2 year June 30, 2019
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative...........Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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 Ralph M. Brown 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
Anthony Jowid, Cathy Creasia, Dr. Denise Berger, Ernie Levroney, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Ken Deemer, LESD Representative, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Jenni Owen
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 Jan 29, 2018 at 5:08 PM.
C.
Approve the Agenda
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to approve agenda.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the Floor on Non Agenda Items
- A select group of ECHS seniors working on their senior thesis intersession project presented at their board meeting:
- ECHS student #1 spoke about having more choices of A-G classes at their school.
- ECHS student #2 spoke about the issue of microaggressions at ECHS.
- ECHS student #3 spoke in favor of increasing the number of classes at ECHS that promote physical activity and wellness.
B.
Presentations from the Floor on Agenda Items
- None.
III. Reports/Presentations
A.
Executive Director Update
- 2 weddings since last ECS board meeting: KC Villoria and Ernie Levroney.
- 1 birthday since last ECS board meeting: Zena Fong.
- Broad alumni service activity took place for 20 ECHS seniors. Testimonials from ECHS seniors were given about how inspirational it was to hear from Broad alumni.
- CEO Alison Diaz was a chaperone at her daughter's overnight filed trip and was struck by the lack of community and this made Ms. Diaz even more grateful about how much community is present at the ECS schools.
B.
Principals Updates
- ECMS-G: Assistant Principal position was filled after thorough candidate search. Current Assistant Principal Tasneem Muhammad will fill the vacant ECMS-G Principal position.
- ECHS: ECHS Principal addressed the board about the recently submitted WASC self-study report in advance of the WASC visiting committee coming to ECHS from March 4-7. Three major points of improvement were self-identified by ECHS leadership during the course of the WASC self-study report:
- Senior thesis alignment 9-12
- College readiness including math test score improvements
- School climate
- ECMS-I: $90k grant received over next three years to support math program.
IV. Study Session
A.
ECS 2018 -2019 Strategic Goals and Reporting Structure Update
- ECMS-I Principal Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro conducted the study session on strategic goals.
- Attendees shared their input on the following questions:
- Why am I doing this work?
- Why is this work important?
- What are my goals for our graduates?
- What do I want for this organization?
- Participants commented on the responses provided.
- In small groups, meeting collective analyzed a sample set of academic outcomes: ECMS-I CAASPP Math Outcomes from 2015-2017.
B.
Brown Act Review
- Tabled.
V. Committee Reports
A.
Facilities Committee Update
- Broke ground at ECMS-G on Prop K. Challenges with wrong turf installed by contractor. Working to resolve this issue.
- Making progress on ECHS portables project. Working with LESD and contractor to complete remaining steps.
- Inglewood developments are complete.
B.
Development Committee Update
- Fundraising progress: $440,837 raised which is about 40% (capital goal included); 57% to goal (capital goal not included)
- $600k in pending grant requests. Most recently received 90k for ECMS-I.
- First ever year-end appeal/direct mail appeal.
- Instituted Bruce Greenspon "Bridging the Gap" Scholarship.
- Opportunities to Engage in February (Community Forum on 2/2 and Deborah Meier Book Event on 2/22).
- New Board Members - please attend next Development Committee on 2/9.
C.
Governance Committee Update
- Governance Committee did not meet between last board meeting and next meeting. No report out.
D.
Finance Committee Update
- Ms. Lee presented the financial update: she reviewed the highlights of the Governor's January Budget, and then the YTD financials for each school as per the attached presentation. Ms. Lee presented ADA updates including the attendance percentage and enrollment for each school.
- Ms. Bondi presented the results of the health benefits study completed by consultant Shelley Levy. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing this study is attached. The recommendation from the study are: switch to a new broker, increase ECS' benefits budget by approximately .5-1%, add Medical and Dependent Care FSA, increase ECS employees' access to benefits information, identify different plan designs.
E.
Academic Excellence Committee Update
- Committee discussed CA Dashboard at last committee meeting.
- Reviewed ECS data on CA Dashboard and talked about the political climate and public reception of the CA Dashboard.
- Discussed benefits of the CA dashboard: it allows to ECS to target the subpopulations that need more assistance.
- Discussed math initiative and how it relates to the CA Dashboard.
F.
Equity and Diversity Committee Update
- The committee held two planning meetings to discuss key focus of committee this year: enrollment, retention, and academic achievement of African-American students.
- Read article on Design Thinking and how it can be applied to the work of the committee.
- Meeting with site groups to kick off work of the committee this year.
VI. Approve Consent Items A-K
A.
Approve Previous Meeting Minutes for November 27, 2017 Board Meeting
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve minutes from the ECS Board of Directors' Meeting on 11-27-17 ECS Board of Directors' Meeting on 11-27-17.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
B.
Accept Minutes From the Following Board Committee Meetings
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to accept minutes From the board committee meetings listed on agenda.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
C.
Approve December 2017 Check Register
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve December 2017 check register.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
D.
Approve ECMS-I Single Plan for Student Achievement
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECMS-I Single Plan for Student Achievement.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
E.
Approve Revised Local School Wellness Policy
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised Local School Wellness Policy.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
F.
Accept November 2017 Private Donations Over $1k
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to accept November 2017 private donations over $1k.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
G.
Approve Allocation of ECS Grants to ECMS-I
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve allocation of ECS grants to ECMS-I.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
H.
Approve First Interim Financial Reports
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve First Interim financial reports.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
I.
Approve Allocation of One-Time Funds, Outstanding Mandate Claims
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve allocation of One-Time Funds, Outstanding Mandate Claims.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
J.
Approve 2016-17 ECHS, ECMS-G, ECMS-I School Accountability Report Cards
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2016-17 ECHS, ECMS-G, ECMS-I School Accountability Report Cards.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
K.
Approve Board Members' Participation on the Following Board Committees
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve board members' participation on board committees as listed on agenda.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
VII. Action Items
A.
Approve ECS 2017-2018 Strategic Goals and Reporting Structure
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECS 2017-2018 Strategic Goals and Reporting Structure.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
B.
Accept FY 16/17 Audit Report
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to accept FY 16/17 Audit Report.
Ernie Levroney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Revised Employee Handbook
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to approve revised employee handbook.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
VIII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
- Adjourned at 8:09pm to move to closed session.
IX. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
- Discussion on potential litigation took place. No decisions were reached.
- Counsel was present at closed session.
X. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Cathy Creasia made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenni Owen |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Farnaz Golshani-Flechner |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Deemer