Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Special Board of Directors' Meeting
By Teleconference/Zoom
Date and Time
Friday April 9, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Location
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09
OR
Dial-In: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043
Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
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
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary...................3 years June 30, 2023
Ms. Zena Fong........................................2 year June 30, 2023
Ms. Jenina Ramirez.................................3 years June 30, 2021
Dr. Hughie Barnes...................................3 years June 30, 2023
Dr. Madhu Chatwani................................3 years June 30, 2023
Mr. Kennedy Hilario.................................3 years June 30, 2023
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-Lawndale
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.
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President..................3 years June 30, 2022
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............3 years June 30, 2022
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary...................3 years June 30, 2023
Ms. Zena Fong........................................2 year June 30, 2023
Ms. Jenina Ramirez.................................3 years June 30, 2021
Dr. Hughie Barnes...................................3 years June 30, 2023
Dr. Madhu Chatwani................................3 years June 30, 2023
Mr. Kennedy Hilario.................................3 years June 30, 2023
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-Lawndale
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), Dr. Hughie Barnes (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)
Directors Absent
Ken Deemer
Guests Present
Alison Diaz (remote), Cindy Guardaro (remote), Danielle Kelsick (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Kami Cotler (remote), Travis Collier (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 Apr 9, 2021 at 4:04 PM.
C.
Approve the agenda
Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve agenda.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Hughie Barnes |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
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 Session
A.
Path Back to Campus discussion
The Path Back to Campus feedback session ensued after a brief presentation of the draft ECS School Reopening Plan by CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner:
Board member Dr. Hughie Barnes inquired if the students that come back on campus will be tested for their level of learning/competence gained through Distance Learning or to meet rules and regulations. Chief Academic Officer Danielle Kelsick responded that students not coming back on campus for the purpose of testing. Spring summative testing will be undertaken remotely by the students. ECS will test students remotely to meet the federal/state mandate and ECS make the most of these assessments to understand where students currently are in the learning and what gaps will be needed to fill in the fall semester.
Board member Zena Fong asked what type of social-emotional work will be done with students coming back on campus. Farnaz responded that students will focus on community building and connection activities so that they can reacclimate to their school environment, their teachers, and each other. Students will not come back on campus to focus on drills to remediate learning loss. After community building takes place, more ECS-type meaningful learning will take place.
Board member Jenina Ramirez asked about what type of activities will be done for high school seniors that will only be coming back for a short period of time. Danielle stated that 8th-grade and 12th-grade students will be targeted to come on campus last out of all of the major student groups. When back on campus, these two groups will focus on final pre-culmination/graduation academic activities, followed by their culmination and graduation events.
Board President Anthony Jowid asked, on the surveys shown, where they broken down by grade level? Farnaz responded that high school seniors were the most eager to come back on campus per the survey results. All other grade levels were relatively in line with each other. Also, it is important to recall that the surveys were taken only at one point in time, so ECS will remain flexible to shifts in either direction as the pandemic continues.
Anthony followed up by asking if the requests for exceptions/accommodations to in-person work are all coming in from any one teacher group, such as ECHS 12th grade teachers. Farnaz responded that the current requests for exceptions/accommodations that have been received are spread evenly across ECS schools and grade levels and do not present any major challenges for staffing.
IV. Reports/Presentations
A.
ECHS-Gardena facility update
Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz presented the ECHS-Gardena facility update:
An overview was presented of the City of Gardena property currently in talks of being purchased and developed by Menlo Charter Properties/MBB & Gardena, an ECS special purpose entity that exists for the purchase of purchasing, renovating, and maintaining facilities on behalf of ECS.
Board member Kennedy Hilario asked for how long will the interim lease is expected to remain in place. Alison responded that the lease agreement will be for 30 years but the lease will likely only remain in effect for only 3-6 months until the bond financing closes and MCP/MBB LLC can then close on the property purchase.
Board member Zena Fong asked if moving the Home Office onto the premises changes the cost of how much ECS will pay for office leasing expenses. Farnaz responded that the cost to lease the existing Home Office space is not substantial due to SB 740, even so, there will be $12-15k in annual savings over time that will benefit ECS in the long run.
V. Approve Consent Item
A.
Approve $600k Line of Credit Term Sheet with Beneficial State Bank
Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve $600k Line of Credit Term Sheet with Beneficial State Bank.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Hughie Barnes |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Approve the negotiation of a lease with Menlo Charter Properties/MBB & Gardena LLC for permanent housing for ECHS-Gardena
Tabled.
B.
Approve Development, Support, and Project Agreement by and among ECHS-Gardena, Menlo Charter Properties, and MBB & Gardena LLC
Tabled.
C.
Approve Spring 2021 Reopening Plan
Dr. Hughie Barnes made a motion to approve Spring 2021 Reopening Plan.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Hughie Barnes |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
VII. Closing Items
A.
Appreciations
Anthony Jowid and Jenina Ramirez shared their appreciation for Alison Diaz's tenacity in pursuing a facility for the new high school, after a long drawn out journey in finding any suitable spaces.
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated LESD Superintendent Dr. Betsy Hamilton's support and guidance with school reopening efforts, board member Ken Deemer for asking critical questions before the special board meeting and all board members for providing their feedback at the board feedback session today.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Hughie Barnes |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:04 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid