Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

Date and Time

Monday July 1, 2019 at 11:30 AM

Location

Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/147466498 Or Telephone: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 147 466 498) // Two-way Teleconference Locations: ECHS Auxiliary Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 / ECMS-Gardena (812 W. 165th Place, Gardena, CA 90247) / ECMS-Inglewood (3600 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303) / ECHS (16315 Grevillea Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260) / 409 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 2401 Pine Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 3011 Elm St., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 1150 S. Olive Street, Suite 2123, Los Angeles, CA 90015 / 3513 Walnut Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 1324 Agate Street #12, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 / 417 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora, CA 91741 / 4161 W. 147th Street, Lawndale, CA 90260
ECS Board Members                                                           Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................3 years June 30, 2022
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............................................3 years June 30, 2022
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..................................................................3 years June 30, 2022
Ms. Jenina Ramirez................................................................3 years June 30, 2021
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative............Rotating Position      

ECS Staff   
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Chief Academic Officer/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ms. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach
Ms. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Ms. KC Fabiero, Principal at ECHS
Dr. Qiana O'Leary, Principal at ECMS-Gardena
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal-in-Residence  

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.

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), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Ken Deemer (remote), LESD Representative (remote)

Directors Absent

Cathy Creasia, Ernie Levroney, Zena Fong

Guests Present

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jeremiah David, Kami Cotler, Tracy Bondi

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 Monday Jul 1, 2019 at 11:36 AM.

C.

Approve the Agenda

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the agenda.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent

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.

ECMS-Inglewood Charter Petition Material Revision Discussion

The following comments were made in the ECMS-Inglewood Charter Petition Material Revision Discussion Study Session:

Director of Strategic Initiatives Kami Cotler: This is a material revision of the existing ECMS-I charter petition to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education. In addition to original content, it integrates components from the recently LACOE-approved ECMS-Gardena 2019-2024 charter petition and the recently LESD-approved ECHS 2019-2024 charter petition.

Executive Director/CEO Farnaz Flechner: This material revision of the 2018-2023 ECMS-I charter petition includes grades 9-12 to support the opening of ECHS #2. For ECHS #2, if the school site location ultimately procured is located in another chartering district, ECS may have to resubmit a charter petition to a different body.

IV. Consent Items A-G

A.

Approve ECMS-Inglewood to purchase one (1) school van up to $20,000

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve ECMS-Inglewood to purchase one (1) school van up to $20,000.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

B.

Approve ECMS-Gardena NatureBridge Yosemite 8th Grade Outdoor Education Contract

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve ECMS-Gardena NatureBridge Yosemite 8th Grade Outdoor Education Contract.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye

C.

Approve WestEd Reading Apprenticeship Contract

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve WestEd Reading Apprenticeship Contract.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Zena Fong
Absent
Ernie Levroney
Absent

D.

Approve Hansberger & Klein 1st Addendum to Retainer Agreement

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve Hansberger & Klein 1st Addendum to Retainer Agreement.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye

E.

Accept resignation of board member Ernie Levroney

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to accept resignation of board member Ernie Levroney.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent

F.

Approve ECMS-Inglewood Student Bathrooms Remodeling/Construction Contract

Board President Anthony Jowid requested that research be completed to determine if an Asbestos Material Survey will be needed for the ECMS-Inglewood bathroom project. Also, he strongly recommended that the contractor be informed that all paintable surfaces in the bathrooms be re-painted and not only the new bathroom material.

Board Member Jenina Ramirez recommended that thorough due diligence take place to ensure that the proper permitting procedures are implemented. Farnaz Flechner assured Jenina that this has been and will be done.
Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve ECMS-Inglewood Student Bathrooms Remodeling/Construction Contract.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent

G.

Approve ECMS-Inglewood, ECMS-Gardena Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program Contracts

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECMS-Inglewood, ECMS-Gardena Woodcraft Rangers After-School Program Contracts.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent

V. Action Items

A.

Approve ECMS-Inglewood Charter Petition Material Revision

Board Vice President Ken Deemer inquired about what conversations have been had with LACOE regarding the material revision and how receptive are they.

Farnaz Flechner responded that in their conversations, LACOE has been very receptive. ECS is submitting this material revision on July 1, 2019 in order to qualify for a grant. ECS is requesting to LACOE an extension of the legally required timeline, which would result in an August public hearing and September board action and provide the LACOE CSO with more time to review.

Kami Cotler added that LACOE is very mindful about setting and communicating a clear material revision process and treating all charter petition and material revision applicants equitably and fairly. For this high school expansion, ECS is in a very good position because it has more time and resources to develop ECHS 2 than it had for any other ECS schools.
Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECMS-Inglewood Charter Petition Material Revision.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye

B.

Approve revised ECMS-Inglewood Budget

Farnaz Flechner commented that the budget for the ECMS-I lower grades is the same as the ECMS-I budget approved on June 3, 2019. The second component, for the upper grades, is designed to grow one grade level each school year, consistent with how existing ECS schools were grown.
Ken Deemer made a motion to approve revised ECMS-Inglewood Budget.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ernie Levroney
Absent
Cathy Creasia
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid