Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday September 23, 2021 at 5:00 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, 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

Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Ken Deemer (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Anthony Jowid, Dr. Hughie Barnes, Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Guests Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Dave Trejo (remote), Dorothy Lee (remote), Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro (remote), Dr. Cindy Guardado (remote), Dr. Geneva Matthews (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Gretchen Janson (remote), Jen Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Jose Hernandez (remote), KC Fabiero (remote), Sarah Jamieson (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Ken Deemer called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Sep 23, 2021 at 5:06 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

ECS leadership updates

Chief Executive Officer Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the ECS leadership updates slides in tandem with Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach.

B.

Principals updates

Principal KC Fabiero presented the ECHS-L update:

Summer bridge activities, and fall semester student connectedness and high levels of COVID safety mitigation measure compliance were highlighted.

Principal Dr. Cindy Guardado presented the ECHS-G update:

Among the glows (positives) that were shared: positive culture amongst students, attendance averaging at 95.5% despite students who have had to quarantine, consistent systems to support advisory as the driver for “Every Child as a blessing”, and student-centered coaching has begun.

Among the grows (areas for improvement) that were shared: supporting MTSS Tier 1--checks for understanding and student interactions, improving use of instructional time in the classroom , opportunities for after school student participation, and in class interventions.
 

C.

EdTec financial review and revised budgets for 21/22

EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee presented the slides for the EdTec financial review and revised budgets for 21/22.

IV. Study Session

A.

Vaccine mandate for students and staff

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the Leadership Update slides regarding vaccine mandates for students and staff.

Zoom breakout room discussions, followed by a general freeform discussion ensued between board members and all other meeting attendees.

V. Consent Items A-L

A.

Approve previous meeting minutes for July 14, 2021 board meeting

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 07-14-21.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye

B.

Approve previous meeting minutes for August 19, 2021 board meeting

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board of Directors' Meeting on 08-19-21.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

C.

Approve previous 9/17/21 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve previous 9/17/21 Finance Committee meeting minutes.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

D.

Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye

E.

Approve unaudited actuals as recommended by Finance Committee

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

F.

Approve contracts

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

G.

Approve revised ECS Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022

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

H.

Approve revised ECS Board Committees & Terms 2021-2022

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

I.

Approve ECMS-I Parent-Student Handbook

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

J.

Approve sale or disposition of ECS technology equipment

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

K.

Approve resignation of board member Dr. Hughie Barnes, effective 9/10/2021

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve resignation of board member Dr. Hughie Barnes, effective 9/10/2021.
Ken Deemer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Ken Deemer
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

L.

Approve revised ECS Independent Study Policy

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

VI. Action Item

A.

Approve revised 2021-2022 Budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve revised 2021-2022 Budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

VII. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

Board members shared appreciations for the hard work undertaken by staff to start the school year in-person. Staff shared appreciations for each others' efforts.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn Meeting.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Hughie Barnes
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
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 6:41 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Deemer