Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Governance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday January 21, 2021 at 3:00 PM

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88098019447?pwd=ekdDSEE5N0VYM3JyTnN4c3paV2RPdz09 (Passcode: 5W4KDG)
 
or
 
Dial-In: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 880 9801 9447, Passcode: 426997
Governance Committee Members 
Ken Deemer - Chair 
Anthony Jowid
Alison Diaz
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 
Jeremiah David

Governance Committee Charter 
  • Recommends policies and processes for effective governance.
  • Evaluates Board, Chairperson and in collaboration with the Board, review’s the Executive Director.  
  • Recruits, recommends and trains new board members.
  • Set goals for the annual board retreat.
  • Stewards the strategic plan and planning process.
  • Develops metrics / scorecard to monitor effectiveness of organization and its programs.
  • Plans for succession of board members and Executive Director.
Goals for 2019-2020
  • Use the ECS Strategic Benchmark Chart to measure and support ECS' success.
  • Complete evaluations of Executive Director and self-evaluation of the ECS Board of Directors.
  • Recruit at least one additional board member to the ECS Board of Directors and strengthen board pipeline.
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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Committee 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.

Committee Members Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Anthony Jowid (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Ken Deemer (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Ken Deemer called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jan 21, 2021 at 3:02 PM.

C.

Motion to Approve the Agenda

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve the agenda.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jeremiah David
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye

II. Presentation from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the Floor on Non Agenda Items

None.

B.

Presentation From the Floor on Agenda Items

None.

III. Discussion Items

A.

Review Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart

CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart:

Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention rates were reviewed and were concluded to be holding steady, with extra attention and support given due to ECMS-G's Tier 3 rate being on the higher side of expectations.

Tech interventions each month continue to decrease as students and staff are supported by the Help Desk team with consistent communication and long-term resolutions.

Food service meal pick-up rates have steadily increased over the past several months, nonetheless, the Committee discussed ways in which this service can be further expanded to serve more students.

The Committee proceeded to review Reading Apprenticeship, math engagement, and GPA rates.

Monthly average attendance rates were reviewed with ECMS-I noted as having a stellar attendance rate, due to their close follow-up with absent students.

The Committee concluded this session by recommending that a brief update with a highlighted color indicating progress status be added for each priority goal. The purpose of this enhancement is to provide the board with visibility to the overall view of progress status for each priority goal.

B.

Feedback on upcoming board agenda

The Committee reviewed the upcoming 1/26/21 board agenda and recommended no changes. Committee members resolved to assist in planning and preparing icebreaker/opener activities for future board meetings.

C.

Feedback on board and committee meetings

Tabled.

D.

Discuss 20/21 Governance Committee goals

By consensus, the Committee decided to remove the prior year committee goal "Recruit at least one additional board member to the ECS Board of Directors and strengthen board pipeline." since the ECS board has already added three new board members in the current school year. No other changes were recommended.

IV. Action Items

A.

Recommend 20/21 Governance Committee goals

20/21 proposed committee goals:
  • Use the ECS Strategic Benchmark Chart to measure and support ECS' success.
  • Complete evaluations of Executive Director and self-evaluation of the ECS Board of Directors.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend 20/21 Governance Committee goals to the ECS board.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jeremiah David
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Ken Deemer made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Anthony Jowid seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jeremiah David
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Deemer