Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

With Public Hearing

Date and Time

Wednesday March 11, 2020 at 4:00 PM

Location

ECHS Auxiliary Office, 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 // Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/197855516 Or Telephone: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 197 855 516).
 
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- (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 / 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.............................................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
Ms. KC Fabiero, Principal at ECHS
Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena  

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.

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), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Cathy Creasia, LESD Representative

Guests Present

Adam Todd, Alison Diaz, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David

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 Wednesday Mar 11, 2020 at 4:03 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve agenda with reorder of Discussion Item section to after Action Items section.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Zena Fong
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. Public Hearing

A.

ECHS HVAC Replacement Bid: EMCOR

HVAC consultant Adam Todd of Cumming along with ECS Director of Growth and Sustainability presented on the HVAC bidding process and final recommendation.

There were no comments from the public.

IV. Approve Consent Items A-B

A.

Approve updated 2020 ECHS, ECMS-I, ECMS-G Safe Schools Plans

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve updated 2020 ECHS, ECMS-I, ECMS-G Safe Schools Plans.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Approve ECHS Outdoor Education Trip Contracts for SY 2020-2021

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECHS Outdoor Education Trip Contracts for SY 2020-2021.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve ECHS HVAC Replacement Bid: EMCOR

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve ECHS HVAC Replacement Bid from EMCOR.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent

B.

Approve Conditions of Authorization for approved LACOE appeal of Environmental Charter High School #2 Petition

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve Conditions of Authorization for approved LACOE appeal of Environmental Charter High School #2 Petition.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Cathy Creasia
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye

VI. Discussion Items

A.

Discussion of Coronavirus Contingency Plans

A discussion among board members and ECS staff around coronavirus/COVID-19 contingency plans ensued. ECS staff shared their concerted, multi-pronged approach to preparing for all contingencies. The board commended the ECS staff for their planning and preparation.

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Ken Deemer made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cathy Creasia
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid