Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday August 19, 2021 at 4:45 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, 2024
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
Dr. Cindy Guardado, Principal at ECHS-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), LESD Representative, Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Ken Deemer, Kennedy Hilario

Guests Present

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 Thursday Aug 19, 2021 at 4:50 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

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.

ECS leadership updates

ECS CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner provided a brief update on the challenges and successes related to preparing for full in-person instruction that is starting in the following week.

IV. Consent Items A-D

A.

Approve Contracts

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

B.

Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve revised Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent

C.

Approve Charter School Revolving Loan Fund resolution and loan agreement for ECHS-Gardena for $250,000

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve Charter School Revolving Loan Fund resolution and loan agreement for ECHS-Gardena for $250,000.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent

D.

Approve CalSTRS resolutions for ECHS-Gardena

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve CalSTRS resolutions for ECHS-Gardena, electing CalSTRS.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent

E.

Approve Beneficial State Bank Corporate Resolution to Borrow - Credit Cards

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve Beneficial State Bank Corporate Resolution to Borrow - Credit Cards.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve ECS Independent Study Policy

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

B.

Approve revised ECS Academic Calendars

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

VI. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Hughie Barnes made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:24 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid