Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday November 21, 2019 at 4:30 PM

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 / 1150 S. Olive Street, Suite 2123, Los Angeles, CA 90015 / 3513 Walnut Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 2741 Peachwood Circle, Corona, CA 92882
ECS Board Members                                                           Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President.................................................3 years June 30, 2022
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President/Treasurer............................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
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
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach
Dr. 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), Cathy Creasia (remote), Ken Deemer (remote), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Dr. Denise Berger, Jenina Ramirez, LESD Representative

Guests Present

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Linda Artiano

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 Thursday Nov 21, 2019 at 4:30 PM.

C.

Approve the Agenda

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

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

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

IV. Closed Session

A.

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

V. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Board President Anthony Jowid provided the following report out:

In closed session, the ECS board voted to approve settlement agreement 2019-1122, with 4 yeas and 0 nays.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Ken Deemer made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Cathy Creasia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cathy Creasia
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid