Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Finance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Friday September 17, 2021 at 8:30 AM

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86746735522?pwd=eG5RVHI4ZURqeXBwVm1YS2E0WTk5Zz09
 
Optional
  • Call-in only: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 867 4673 5522, Passcode: 425920)
  • Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Finance Committee Members
Tracy Bondi - Chair
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Ken Deemer
Denise Berger
Bruce Greenspon
Alison Diaz

Finance Committee Charter
  • Provides financial oversight for the organization
  • In conjunction with staff and other stakeholders, develops an annual operating budget and recommends for board approval
  • Monitors adherence to budget and recommends changes, if necessary
  • Sets long-term financial goals with funding strategies to achieve them
  • Considers special, unbudgeted requests and make recommendations to board
  • Develops multi-year operating budgets that tie to strategic plan
  • Ensures adequacy of financial controls and monitor for compliance
  • Ensure Financial literacy of Board Members by providing training
Goals for 2020-2021
  • Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course
  • Ensure school budgets and cash flows are transparent, supportable, and sustainable
  • Support ECHS #2's financial objectives in the facilities development and
    school startup process
  • Collaborate with Menlo Charter Properties to refinance loans at ECMS- Gardena
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), Bruce Greenspon (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote)

Committee Members Absent

Ken Deemer

Guests Present

Dorothy Lee (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Jose Hernandez (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tracy Bondi called a meeting of the Finance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday Sep 17, 2021 at 8:42 AM.

C.

Approve agenda

Tracy Bondi made a motion to approve the agenda.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Absent
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the floor on non agenda items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

EdTec financial review and revised budgets for 21/22

EdTec Consultant Dorothy Lee presented the Financial Update slides:

Unexpected higher federal and state revenues due to new funding programs, along with lower expenses due to operating distance learning rather than in-person learning for most of fiscal year 20/21 led to higher fund balances than regular at each ECS school.

The committee resolved to discuss at their next meeting the value propositions in expending a portion of these higher than normal fund balances in areas such as facilities, additional counselor services, and other areas to support the school community.

Educator Effectiveness and A-G Completion grants are coming available, both would need to be presented at a public hearing and adopted by the board in the next several months.

IV. Consent Items A-D

A.

Recommend board approval of 6/18/2021 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance Committee Meeting on 06-18-21.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Tracy Bondi
Aye

B.

Recommend board acceptance of private donations over $1,000

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend board acceptance of private donations over $1,000.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Absent
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent

C.

Recommend board approval of unaudited actuals

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend board approval of unaudited actuals.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent

D.

Recommend board approval of ECHS-G CELP outdoor education contracts

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend board approval of ECHS-G CELP outdoor education contracts.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Absent
Ken Deemer
Absent
Alison Diaz
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Recommend board approval of revised 2021-2022 Budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of revised 2021-2022 Budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
Ken Deemer
Absent
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Tracy Bondi made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Bondi