Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 27, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Location
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.
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. 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. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)
Directors Absent
Ken Deemer
Guests Present
Alison Diaz (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jennifer Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
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/Discussions
A.
21/22 Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart Review
Tabled.
B.
Health and Safety Update
Director of Health & Safety Jen Fenton presented the ECS COVID Safety Measures slides.
C.
ECMS-Gardena Proposed Park Expansion
Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz presented the ECMS-G Proposed Park Expansion slides along with Facilities Committee members Anthony Jowid and Jenina Ramirez.
IV. Consent Items A-I
A.
Approve minutes for 12/9/2021 ECS Board Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
B.
Approve minutes for 1/21/2022 ECS Special Facilities Committee meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #2 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
D.
Approve revised ECS Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
E.
Approve revised ECMS-G & ECHS-L Parent Student Handbooks 2021-2022
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
F.
Approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for all sites
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
G.
Approve FY20/21 Audit Report as Recommended by Audit Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Menlo Charter Properties to enter into an agreement to purchase the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 with the understanding that ECMS-Gardena wlll lease this additional space to support its outdoor learning program as recommended by Facilities Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
I.
Approve ECMS-Gardena to work with Menlo 165th LLC to renegotiate its current lease agreement to include the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 without increasing its projected yearly rents as recommended by Facilities Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve N-3-22 Written Finding allowing temporary staffing flexibility
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
C.
Appreciations
CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz and Director of Finance Tracy Bondi for their work on the Equitable Facilities Fund refinancing and ECMS-G park expansion projects. Farnaz also appreciated Director of Compliance & Operations Jeremiah David for his work in continuing ECS's successful track record with another clean annual audit. In addition, Dr. Beth Bernstein for her hard work stepping in to serve as ECMS-G's Interim Principal.
Board member Kennedy Hilario appreciated all of ECS, reflecting on how proud he is to serve as a board member for an organization that is so equity-driven and progressive thinking.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Ken Deemer |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Tabled.