Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Special Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Friday July 27, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Location
Zoom/Teleconference Meeting Only: Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/147466498 Or Telephone: +1 669 900 6833 (Meeting ID: 147 466 498) / Call-in Location: 409 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite E Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 2401 Pine Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 3011 Elm St. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 1324 Agate Street #12 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 / 2741 Peachwood Circle Corona, CA 92882 / Lawndale Elementary School District, 4161 W. 147th Street, Lawndale, CA 90260
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................2 years June 30, 2019
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary.................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Cathy Creasia..................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................2 year June 30, 2020
Mr. Ernie Levroney.................................................................2 year June 30, 2019
Ms. Jenina Ramirez...............................................................3 years June 30, 2021
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative...........Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS
Dr. Qiana O'Leary, Principal at ECMS - Gardena
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.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT BOARD 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 this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Board 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 Board on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Environmental Charter School's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish).
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Board's presiding officer.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
The public should be aware that the Board 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 reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................2 years June 30, 2019
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............................................3 years June 30, 2019
Ms. Denise Berger, Secretary.................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Cathy Creasia..................................................................3 years June 30, 2020
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................................................2 year June 30, 2020
Mr. Ernie Levroney.................................................................2 year June 30, 2019
Ms. Jenina Ramirez...............................................................3 years June 30, 2021
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative...........Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Alison Diaz, Executive Director & Founder
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Principal at ECMS - Inglewood
Ms. KC Villoria, Principal at ECHS
Dr. Qiana O'Leary, Principal at ECMS - Gardena
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.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT BOARD 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 this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Board 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 Board on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Environmental Charter School's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish).
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Board's presiding officer.
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
The public should be aware that the Board 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 reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.
Directors Present
Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Ernie Levroney (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Ken Deemer (remote), LESD Representative (remote)
Directors Absent
Cathy Creasia, Zena Fong
Guests Present
Alison Diaz (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday Jul 27, 2018 at 2:04 PM.
C.
Approve the Agenda
Ken Deemer made a motion to approve the agenda.
Ernie Levroney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the Floor on Non Agenda Items
None.
B.
Presentations from the Floor on Agenda Items
None.
III. Study Sessions
A.
ECS Mission Statement Revision Discussion
Chief Operating Officer Farnaz Golshani-Flechner shared that ECS has undertaken a process with its board members to discuss previous iterations of mission statements and values and get feedback on a revised mission statement and values at prior board meetings. ECS then took data and information from these conversations and worked with the Cabinet members for many hours to deliver the proposed revised mission statement and values statement at the current board meeting. No new vision statement will be proposed at this time.
The following proposed mission statement and values statement were then read aloud and key terms were explained:
MISSION: Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
VALUES:
JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement. (footnote Noguera). COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.
CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.
SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.
LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.
After the reading of this proposed mission statement and values statement, the following discussion ensued:
Board Member Jenina Ramirez commented that she is very proud of the work that was done for these statements. The statements are very much in alignment with why she joined the ECS board and she is excited to be a part of recreating and reimagining this educational environment.
Board Member Ernie Levroney commented that the mission statement is an amazing one to move forward with, taking the best parts of all of the prior proposed statements that were being discussed.
Board Member Ken Deemer echoed both of these comments, applauded the thoughtfulness and time spent on putting these statements together, and gave his full endorsement for these statements. However, Ken Deemer was concerned that students who are equipped to graduate from college but don't actually end up graduating from college will not be able to follow through on the last part of this mission: to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Therefore, ECS may need to consider increasing its mission scope to encompass not only equipping ECS students to graduate from college but working to help students graduate from college.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner responded that there have been robust discussions about this very topic within the last few weeks. There are many aspects to equipping students to graduate from college, among which include academic and career readiness, as well as the financial aspects of getting through to college graduation.
Board Member Anthony Jowid added that if the "equipped to graduate from college" part of the mission statement were removed from the proposed mission statement, then this opens up ECS to offer more services to students during high school and after graduation from high school.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner asserted that the "equipped to graduate from college" part of the mission statement means a lot to stakeholders, particularly parents. Furthermore, it is really tempting to be all things to all people, but it is more important to hone in on what ECS does well and really focus on delivering the services that the students need so they can achieve high academic outcomes.
CEO Alison Diaz stated that Ken Deemer's comments bring up the issue of whether ECS is a K-12 academic model only or if it includes pre- and post-K12.
Jenina Ramirez reminded board members that the revised mission statement and values are living documents that will be responsive to realities in the years ahead so that they may be changed.
Finally, a discussion ensued around how ECS can do more to ensure that ECHS graduates are given as many supports as possible to increase their likelihood of success for college graduation and beyond.
The following proposed mission statement and values statement were then read aloud and key terms were explained:
MISSION: Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
VALUES:
JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement. (footnote Noguera). COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.
CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.
SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.
LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.
After the reading of this proposed mission statement and values statement, the following discussion ensued:
Board Member Jenina Ramirez commented that she is very proud of the work that was done for these statements. The statements are very much in alignment with why she joined the ECS board and she is excited to be a part of recreating and reimagining this educational environment.
Board Member Ernie Levroney commented that the mission statement is an amazing one to move forward with, taking the best parts of all of the prior proposed statements that were being discussed.
Board Member Ken Deemer echoed both of these comments, applauded the thoughtfulness and time spent on putting these statements together, and gave his full endorsement for these statements. However, Ken Deemer was concerned that students who are equipped to graduate from college but don't actually end up graduating from college will not be able to follow through on the last part of this mission: to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Therefore, ECS may need to consider increasing its mission scope to encompass not only equipping ECS students to graduate from college but working to help students graduate from college.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner responded that there have been robust discussions about this very topic within the last few weeks. There are many aspects to equipping students to graduate from college, among which include academic and career readiness, as well as the financial aspects of getting through to college graduation.
Board Member Anthony Jowid added that if the "equipped to graduate from college" part of the mission statement were removed from the proposed mission statement, then this opens up ECS to offer more services to students during high school and after graduation from high school.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner asserted that the "equipped to graduate from college" part of the mission statement means a lot to stakeholders, particularly parents. Furthermore, it is really tempting to be all things to all people, but it is more important to hone in on what ECS does well and really focus on delivering the services that the students need so they can achieve high academic outcomes.
CEO Alison Diaz stated that Ken Deemer's comments bring up the issue of whether ECS is a K-12 academic model only or if it includes pre- and post-K12.
Jenina Ramirez reminded board members that the revised mission statement and values are living documents that will be responsive to realities in the years ahead so that they may be changed.
Finally, a discussion ensued around how ECS can do more to ensure that ECHS graduates are given as many supports as possible to increase their likelihood of success for college graduation and beyond.
B.
ECS Values Discussion
Refer to the meeting notes under the above ECS Mission Statement Revision Discussion agenda item, which encompasses both Mission Statement and Values discussions.
IV. Action Items
A.
Approve Revised ECS Mission Statement
Ernie Levroney made a motion to Approve Revised ECS Mission Statement and Values.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Absent
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Absent
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
The following revised Mission Statement and Values were approved:
MISSION: Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
VALUES:
JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement. (footnote Noguera). COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.
CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.
SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.
LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.
MISSION: Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
VALUES:
JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement. (footnote Noguera). COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.
CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.
SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.
LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.
V. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
- Regular Board Meeting - August 20, 2018 at 5pm at Environmental Charter High School Auxiliary Office
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
- Facilities Committee Meeting - August 1, 2018
- Governance Committee Meeting - August 8, 2018
- Finance Committee Meeting - August 17, 2018
- Academic Excellence Committee Meeting - September 6, 2018
- Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting - September 19, 2018
C.
Appreciations
CEO Alison Diaz appreciated everyone's work in the effort to move the mission forward at ECS.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Aye
|
| Cathy Creasia |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Absent
|
| Ernie Levroney |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 3:31 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid