Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Monday May 3, 2021 at 4:30 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.

Directors Present

Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Dr. Hughie Barnes (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Ken Deemer (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Danielle Kelsick (remote), Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David (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 Monday May 3, 2021 at 4:33 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Zena Fong made a motion to approve the agenda.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Anthony Jowid
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. Reports/Presentations

A.

Review recommended Salary Schedule for Principals + Assistant Principals

CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the Salary Schedule slides.

IV. Consent Items A-D

A.

Approve previous meeting minutes for April 9, 2021 board meeting

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board of Directors' Meeting on 04-09-21.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Abstain
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

B.

Approve previous committee meeting minutes

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve previous committee meeting minutes.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

C.

Approve Charter School Revolving Loan Fund application/award for ECHS-Gardena for $250,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve Charter School Revolving Loan Fund application/award for ECHS-Gardena for $250,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

D.

Approve following contracts as recommended by Finance Committee

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve contracts listed on the agenda as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Abstain
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve Salary Schedule for Principals + Assistant Principals as recommended by Finance Committee

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve Salary Schedule for Principals + Assistant Principals as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye

B.

Approve ECS Spring 2021 summative testing plan

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve ECS Spring 2021 summative testing plan.
Dr. Hughie Barnes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

C.

Approve Development, Support, and Project Agreement by and among ECHS-Gardena, Menlo Charter Properties, and MBB & Gardena LLC

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve Development, Support, and Project Agreement by and among ECHS-Gardena, Menlo Charter Properties, and MBB & Gardena LLC.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Abstain
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

D.

Approve sublease agreement between Menlo Charter Properties and ECHS-Gardena

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve sublease agreement between Menlo Charter Properties and ECHS-Gardena.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Abstain
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

VI. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn to Closed Session.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

VII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Returning from closed session, Board President Anthony Jowid reported out that the board completed a highly satisfactory CEO evaluation and intends to approve a 5% raise in CEO compensation.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

The board commended CEO Farnaz Golshani's excellent performance in the 20/21 school year, including her efforts in coordinating and facilitating the Confronting Anti-Blackness and Racism discussion, her leadership response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, providing steadfastness and humility as a leadership role model to the organization.

B.

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
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid